New York Parents Go Viral for Choosing the Perfect Name for Their Baby Boy After the Knicks’ Historic Win (Exclusive)
Yvonne Gonzalez-Bradford and Vance Bradford with their son Knickson Fyve.Credit: The Bradford Family; Jennifer Nuñez Photography By Aramis
One family was forever changed by the New York Knicks’ historic win over the summer
Yvonne Gonzalez-Bradford was inspired to name her baby by the citywide excitement after the Knicks’ championship win
The first-time parents say their son has received widespread support after his name went viral
One family was forever changed by the New York Knicks’ historic win over the summer.
When the New York Knicks won the NBA championship this year, then-expectant mom Yvonne Gonzalez-Bradford was inspired by the electricity she felt in the air. Outside of her apartment, she recalls hearing the overwhelmingly proud screams and chants of her neighbors, who were saying the three words that became a mantra for every fan watching the milestone moment: Knicks in Five.
“It was in that moment that I was like, ‘Oh, my God, is this just my hormones? Would it be crazy if we named the baby Knickson after the Knicks and this win right now?’ ” she recalls asking her husband, Vance Bradford.
“This means so much more. This is such an impactful moment in history,” continues the loving mom. “I was like, ‘Why would I not want to name this Leo baby something that is so influential?’”
The Bradford familyCredit: Bradford Family (2)
For Bradford, his wife’s idea to name their baby-to-be after their beloved basketball team felt perfect. He tells PEOPLE that it didn’t take a lot of convincing to get him on board, adding that they are typically aligned on all of their ideas.
“That’s the beauty of it,” Bradford shares. “It really is a team thing, and really a lot of the ideas that we come up with, whether it be our plans for our future, things like that, we really tap in with each other and make sure we’re aligned.”
Then, a few days later when she suggested making their future baby’s middle name Fyve, Bradford was completely on board. For him, the middle name holds a deeper meaning than its connection to the championship-winning team.
“My nickname, a lot of people call me V. The Roman numeral for five is V,” he explains. “So I didn’t get a junior, and I didn’t want a junior, but I do want to have some connection to him in my name, so there it is.”
The proud parents tell PEOPLE that baby Knickson’s name is just a reflection of his unique destiny. Gonzalez-Bradford says the name felt right for her on so many levels, and now she has the opportunity to instill the same perseverance and determination of the New York Knicks into her son.
“We can talk to him about that perseverance, about keep on going on,” she says. “It’s such an impactful name. It’s just legendary at this point. [I’m] proud that he can align with New York in that moment and that’s what we can teach him.”
Echoing her sentiments, Bradford added that the name now has its own definition, standing as a “mantra for life.”
“Knicks in five has its own definition, a mantra for life, to really truly overcome adversity, and look at all of the obstacles that this Knicks team overcame to land in the finals and go in five,” he explains. “There’s seven games in the finals, but it’s Knicks in five because we’re going to get it done and get it done fast.”
Knickson Fyve BradfordCredit: The Bradford Family
He adds, “So it really is a nod to the idea that we’re naming you and also dictating your destiny. We want to set you up for success.”
As soon as the new parents shared the first images of their son on Instagram, they instantly went viral, receiving tons of love and support from fans all over the country.
“It was picked up by so many fans and outlets and posts,” Gonzalez-Bradford says. “And as a mom, I was in tears, because to have my son be covered in so much love [and] so much support. People just are really wishing so many blessings and saying his future is great.”
“They call him the City’s nephew,” adds Bradford.
The Bradford familyCredit: Bradford Family (2)
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Looking ahead to the future, the first-time dad shares that he’s looking forward to seeing his son’s pride in his unique name.
“I’m so happy, number one, that he already gets to stand out because of his name,” Bradford says. “But number two, because it’s attached to such a championship, a love-leading moment in history, is fantastic as well.”
“And the fact that we’ll get to reflect and show him all of these moments throughout this whole viral process about him getting love, and just letting him know that when you lead with love, you can be a part and get and achieve anything you want,” he adds. “So that part really just is all a parent can ask for.”
Source: Entertainment
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