Throw out the foam fingers; it's the yarmulke's time to shine.
The skullcap, also known as a kippah, is typically worn by Orthodox Jews during prayer, though it's worn at other times as well. As of Sunday's basketball game between Northwestern and Michigan, it's also at home on the basketball court.
According to the Big Ten Network, Northwestern's Aaron Liberman became the first Big Ten Conference player to sport a yarmulke in a basketball game:
Liberman's donning of the headgear follows with his decision -- after consulting rabbis -- to play basketball on the Sabbath, traditionally a Jewish day of rest.
“Actually, playing basketball is not breaking any of the 39 laws of the Sabbath,” Liberman explained to the New York Times early last year. “But I'll only be taking cold showers afterward because you can't use hot water.”
Liberman's beliefs require he walk to practice some days -- an 8-mile journey.
While Liberman is the first player to wear a yarmulke in a Big Ten game, he is not the first to wear one in a Division 1 game. The Chicago Sun Times reports that honor goes to Tamir Goodman, a Towson player in 2000 and 2001, who earned the monicker "Jewish Jordan."
Despite the history-making appearance, Northwestern lost the game 51-74.