Boban Marjanovic’s Nostalgic Nod To Kevin Seraphin’s Chicago Heroics – Fans Know How To Get Free Chicken

The recent matchup between the Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers saw one of the unique yet heartwarming moments of the NBA season taking place during the same. While the hype was already up at the Crypto.com Arena since this was the Clippers’ final game before the playoffs, Rockets center Boban Marjanovic’s actions helped generate a new source of excitement for the fans in attendance.

With just 4 minutes and 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Rockets possessed the lead by a score of 105-97. This allowed Marjanovic to fool around a little. After getting fouled on a shot attempt, the player was seen heading toward the free-throw line. Despite missing his first free throw, there was still a look of mischief on his face. It didn’t take long for fans and commentators to figure out what was happening. The crowd erupted into cheers after the 7ft 4 player missed his second free throw as well. The celebration was not because the majority of them were Clippers fans. By missing his free throws, Marjanovic ensured that the 20,000+ spectators at the arena received a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.

For those who may not be aware, the Clippers have been holding a long-running promotion that whenever a player from a visiting team would miss two consecutive free throws during the 4th quarter, everyone in attendance would receive a free sandwich courtesy of the $4.5 billion brand. This promotion has often resulted in fans reportedly distracting the players, making foul shots by either jeering loudly or jokingly harassing them with words. This probably would not have affected Marjanovic, who has managed to secure a free throw percentage of 78.5% this season. However, the player made his intentions quite clear as he pointed at himself and reportedly mouthed “chicken’s on me” before making the shot.

Given that the player himself was a member of the Clippers during the 2018-19 season, he probably wanted to leave something memorable in honor of his former LA team as he and the Rockets played their last game of the season.

Boban Marjanović mirrored the same gesture as former player Kevin Seraphin

Boban Marjanović was not the first person to fill the bellies of fans with chicken sandwiches at his expense. This Chick-fil-A promotion has been running for over a decade in several stadiums. And if there was any athlete who knew how much getting that free grub meant to the spectators, then it was former New York Knicks center Kevin Seraphin.

During a game against the Chicago Bulls back in January 2016, Seraphin was given the responsibility of making two free throws. After the player botched up those shots, the crowd erupted as they knew what was coming their way. This whole experience was something that the then 26-year-old thought to be such a distraction.

“You try to focus, but you definitely hear it and think about it, because it gets so much louder all at once,” said Kevin Seraphin in a statement. This was, however, not his first time going through such an experience. The player grew well accustomed to knowing what the Chick-fil-A promotion did to the crowd during his previous five seasons with the Washington Wizards. The only difference was that he was the one jeering, not the one being jeered at.

“When I was on the Wizards, I used to cheer right with (the fans),” said Seraphin. “I wanted my chicken sandwich! It’s just harder when you’re on the other side of it.”

Boban Marjanović may not be going to the playoffs. However, with his gesture, he won the hearts of the attendees and each person watching the game live.