Exactly when did Amare become Amar’e?

Since when did Amare Stoudemire become Amar’e?

It’s been bugging me every time I see it written (who am I kidding, no one writes anymore– they type). How exactly does one just realize his or her name is being spelled wrong, and has been for years?

Did Amare talk to his mom and realize she accidentally left it off the birth certificate because of the epidural?

Was it to stick it to David Stern and the NBA by making them reprint everything with his name on it? (If that is the case, way to go Amare Amar’e)

Was it because the e at the end of his name felt it wasn’t getting enough pub?

Was the ‘ hanging out with the H from the front of Hakeem Olajuwon’s name that was missing for the first few years of his career?

Maybe it was a marketing move like the new Gatorade G logo? Although, if that were the case, he should have just done away with Stoudemire and added a snazzy logo.

Maybe it’s because he had to separate the r and the e in his name because together they reminded him of rebounding, and he’s obviously adverse to that.

Does this move now pertain to Amare’s Amar’e’s nickname, Black Je’sus?

And if it’s Amar’e why isn’t it Stoude’mir’e?

Amare told NBA.com that the spelling of his name always was Amar’e but that the media had been spelling it wrong since he joined the league. (You would think the Suns would have had the spelling right in the media guide though seeing as they have numerous legal documents with Amare’s Amar’e’s legal name.)

Makes me wonder what other athlete’s names I’m spelling wrong, and for that matter if maybe I’ve been spelling my own name wrong all this time?

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Tags: Amare Stoudemire