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James Worthy got exemption from infamous North Carolina facial hair policy

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 3/25/22

North Carolina used to have a policy preventing its basketball players from having facial hair. But one former Tar Heels player says a teammate of his got an exemption from the rule.

Ahead of North Carolina’s Sweet 16 game against UCLA on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament, CBS ran a story about Brady Manek and his beard.

Hubert Davis says Dean Smith wouldn't allow facial hair when he played, he said youd need a note from a doctor saying you had condition where you couldnt shave. He thinks Smith would have changed that rule for @BradyManek and his beard. #UNC @WRAL (photo AP) #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Hf51YkkqEA

— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) March 18, 2022

The no-facial-hair policy was one used by legendary former Tar Heels coach Dean Smith. Smith gave exemptions to the policy if people had health conditions.

After CBS’ story on Manek’s beard ended, former North Carolina point guard Kenny Smith said that James Worthy didn’t have to shave because he had ingrown hairs.

“The only person who ever had facial hair was James Worthy because he had ingrown hairs,” Smith said. “And so he was allowed to wear one. But everyone else? You gotta shave, brother.”

Smith was very much like former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who long had a strict facial hair policy that has continued to this day.

Worthy was quite a player for the Tar Heels too. He was an All-American and helped lead them to the 1982 NCAA Tournament championship, where he was named Most Outstanding Player. Worthy became the No. 1 pick by the Lakers in 1982. He later became a 7-time All-Star and 3-time NBA champion.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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