Hammer Blog: 'Orange Hat Guy' Has Passed Away

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - When I got the call on Tuesday morning telling me that "Orange Hat Guy" from the Wings games had passed away, my first thought was I didn't even know his name.

Then it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't need to know his name. Anyone who has ever been to Joe Louis Arena in the past 30 years knows the guy in the orange hat. In fact, he was such a constant as a Wings fan that the team had its own theme song for him, playing "Orange Crush" by R.E.M. every single home game. They would show his face on the JumboTron during a stoppage in play, and just like they did every game, the fans would applaud him.

Initially, it all seemed a bit curious to me, but it wasn't long before I started to find comfort in the fact that he was always there like a family member at Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. Soon enough, he became a sort of local celebrity in Detroit, alongside the Knitting Lady and Mo Cheese. Nameless people to the masses who see them, but meaningful in a much bigger way for their dedication to our favorite teams.

He was the constant that always showed up, even on that rare night when our team didn't. Everyone knew him, saw him and cheered him just because he wore that unmistakable orange knit hat. Even one of my friends used to search out his neon brim just to identify the row they needed to use to get to their own seat. The mere thought that he wouldn't be there never crossed our minds, but now it will. The next time you go to the Joe you won't see his orange hat and we won't hear the familiar refrain of "Orange Crush".

However, in that moment when you wonder who he was and were he is, remember this. Kenneth Rucker was and always will be the quintessential Detroit sports fan. The Wings fan who showed up just about every single game since 1972, back when they had to give away a car just to get fans in the arena. He's now up in heavens somewhere, talking hockey and, as it should be, wearing his orange hat.

Bless you Mr. Rucker and our condolences to your family. You have more fans here in Detroit than you'll ever know.