SAN ANTONIO – “Hairgate” officially came to an end Thursday night when the fan who shaved Spurs’ guard Matt Bonner’s face into his hair met the Red Rocket himself, in a redhead reunion at the AT&T Center.
It’s the controversial coif gone viral. When Bonner caught wind of it, he invited Patrick to watch Game 2 against the Clippers in-person.
“He has red hair just like I do,” 12-year-old Patrick Gonzalez said about his favorite player. “I like all the three-pointers he makes.”
So when Woodlake Hills Middle School in the Judson district said the haircut violated dress code and asked Patrick to shave it off, the incident struck a chord with the fans and Bonner himself.
“Hey, there he is!” Bonner said when meeting Patrick. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” Patrick replied.
“This is for you,” Bonner said as he handed over a Spurs goodie bag.
The Gonzalez family got VIP tickets to watch the shoot-around and the game courtside, courtesy Bonner, who just had one question.
"Is it still there?” Bonner asked. “Aw, man!” he shouted when Patrick turned around to reveal his shaved head.
Bonner said “Hairgate” is the nicest thing a fan’s ever done for him, but no good deed goes unpunished.
"I think it's kind of harsh,” Bonner said. “San Antonio, in the middle of the playoffs. Fellow redhead just supporting his team."
The pint-sized fan looked way up to his very tall idol. It was all very overwhelming for a kid in the sixth grade.
"Thanks for saying all those nice things,” Patrick told Bonner. “I was pretty mad I had to shave it off. Now I'm here, so it's all good."
"I think the principal might be a Clippers fan,” Bonner quipped.
Pun intended? Both redheads had a date with the Clippers: one at the barber shop, the other on the court.
"I never thought this would happen,” Patrick said. “Just because of my haircut, all this happened."
Patrick walked away with Spurs swag like autographed kicks and a signed jersey. It’s safe to say this gear won’t get him kicked out of school.
"I know that basketball players are really busy but he didn't have to do this,” Patrick said. “I'm grateful right now because he did all this."
As for Bonner, he scored the last basket of the game – making both Red Rockets winners.
