Blake Griffin: The Ginger Gem of Basketball

Amy Jul 20, 2026

Is Blake Griffin Really Ginger? A Deep Dive into the NBA Star's Reddish Locks

a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie with people in the background
a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie with people in the background

In the world of professional basketball, Blake Griffin is known for his formidable dunks, deft passes, and versatile play. But there's one aspect of the six-foot-ten powerhouse that often captures attention off the court: his hair. Specifically, many fans and observers have wondered, is Blake Griffin really ginger?

gotemcoach
gotemcoach

Blake Griffin's Redhead Legacy

Born to a family with a strong history of ginger locks - both his father and his sister, Taylor, are redheads - Blake Griffin's genes set the stage for his own fiery follicles. Yet, it's intriguing to note that Blake doesn't identify as a redhead himself. In an interview with Esquire, he quipped, "I don't really think it's that red. I think it's more like brown."

three different images of a man and woman in the middle of an open field with trees
three different images of a man and woman in the middle of an open field with trees

But whether he prefers to call it auburn or chestnut, there's no denying that Blake's hair has become a significant part of his public image. So much so that his locks have earned their own social media following and been the subject of numerous memes and viral moments.

The Meme-able Moment

a man holding a basketball in his right hand and wearing a red jersey with the los angeles lakers on it
a man holding a basketball in his right hand and wearing a red jersey with the los angeles lakers on it

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game provided one of the most iconic moments in Blake Griffin's follicular history. When he synchronously swapped free throws with LeBron James and raised his hand to reveal his underarm - and its striking red hair - the internet exploded. The "Blake Griffin armpit hair" meme was born, and the NBA world has never been quite the same.

Since then, fans and commentators alike have been comparing Blake's red locks to everything from felts and oranges to fox cubs and autumn leaves. Not too shabby for a set of hair that its owner insists isn't actually ginger!

Blake and the Blondes: Gene Expression and Color Variation

a close up of a person wearing a striped shirt and blue cardigan jacket with a smile on his face
a close up of a person wearing a striped shirt and blue cardigan jacket with a smile on his face

Despite Blake's protests, it's clear that he has at least some redhead genes. But why doesn't his hair express this as prominently as his family members'? Genetics experts explain that hair color is a complex interplay of multiple genes, not just one. While Blake may have the genetic potential to become a memorable ginger, other genes might be slowing down that expression.

A fascinating wrinkle in this discussion is Blake's switch to blond hair during his injury-induced sabbatical in 2019. Was it a fashion statement, a means of self-expression, or a desperate bid to linguistically distance himself from the ginger moniker? Whatever the reason, this styling change underscored how impactful a departure from his signature hue can be.

Blake Griffin and the Ginger Community

a man in a suit and tie posing for a photo at an orange carpet event
a man in a suit and tie posing for a photo at an orange carpet event

For all the intrigue and amusement surrounding Blake Griffin's hair, there's also a serious side to the ginger narrative. In recent years, Blake has started to embrace his redhead roots, using his platform to show support for the ginger community and raise awareness about issues they face.

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a man laying on top of a couch next to a brown dog wearing a jersey
a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie
a close up of a person wearing a suit and tie
two young children playing with a basketball hoop
two young children playing with a basketball hoop
a man wearing a suit and white shirt
a man wearing a suit and white shirt
a man sitting at a table with a pair of shoes
a man sitting at a table with a pair of shoes
a man holding a basketball in his right hand while standing next to another man on the court
a man holding a basketball in his right hand while standing next to another man on the court
a man sitting on top of a bench in front of a crowd at a basketball game
a man sitting on top of a bench in front of a crowd at a basketball game
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Curly Baseball Haircuts, Curly Hair Baseball Haircut, Basketball Hairstyles For Guys, Baseball Curly Haircut, White Nba Players Haircuts, Best Basketball Haircuts, High Top Curls, Chris Blake Griffin Stylist, Nba Curly Hair
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a man wearing sunglasses holding up a bag
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a man sitting at a table in front of a laptop computer