Blake Griffin Relives the Clippers’ Infamous 2017 ‘Pioneers’ Shirt Pitch on Pablo Torre Finds Out

In a hilarious and revealing clip from Pablo Torre Finds Out, former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin recounts one of the most over-the-top free-agency pitches in basketball history. Back in 2017, Los Angeles Clippers staffers tried to convince Griffin to become a “Clipper for life” by wearing special “Pioneers” T-shirts that placed the high-flying big man alongside icons like Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, Muhammad Ali, and Michael Jackson. The short video captures Griffin and host Pablo Torre laughing through the absurdity of the moment that still follows him nearly a decade later.

1. Detailed Description of the Video

The nearly three-minute clip opens with Pablo Torre (wearing headphones and a blue cardigan over a graphic T-shirt) setting the scene in the brightly lit, neon-accented PTFO studio. He references the shirt and its lasting cultural footprint. Blake Griffin, dressed sharply in a gray blazer, patterned tie, and headphones, leans into the conversation with a mix of amusement and residual disbelief.

Griffin walks viewers through the 2017 free-agency meeting. Clippers staffers had prepared an elaborate presentation and then appeared wearing matching black “Pioneers” shirts. The design featured Griffin in a Clippers jersey positioned among the historical greats under the word “Pioneers.” Griffin admits he didn’t fully process the faces at first. Only later, while driving home, did the shirt explode on social media. He realized the company he was keeping: “Is that Martin Luther King? Is that Gandhi? Oh my God.”

The video intercuts with a clear image of the actual shirt, showing the black-and-white collage of faces and Griffin’s likeness. Griffin and Torre banter about which legends he can still name on the spot (he gets most of them but momentarily blanks on Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson). Griffin also shares how the shirt resurfaced years later during an Amazon Prime Video meeting when a producer singled him out as a prior “Pioneer,” prompting collective laughter and fresh copies of the shirt for the broadcast team. The chemistry between Griffin and Torre keeps the tone light, self-deprecating, and full of genuine NBA insider storytelling.

3. Why This Video Stands Out

This clip is pure gold for NBA fans, Clippers historians, and anyone who loves the quirky, human side of professional sports. The “Pioneers” shirt has become legendary internet lore since it first surfaced in 2017—an almost comically tone-deaf attempt to flatter a superstar that instead created an enduring meme. Hearing Griffin himself revisit the moment with honesty and humor adds new layers. It humanizes a six-time All-Star who has always possessed elite comedic timing, while also shining a light on the sometimes desperate creativity of NBA front offices during free agency.

In the current era of Blake Griffin’s second act as a sharp, charismatic analyst for Amazon Prime Video, the story feels even richer. The shirt that once embarrassed him has now become a running joke he can own. The video delivers perfect SEO-friendly moments: Blake Griffin interview, Clippers free agency stories, Steve Ballmer era anecdotes, and classic NBA nostalgia all in one highly shareable package. Fans searching for “Blake Griffin Pioneers shirt,” “Clippers free agency pitch 2017,” or “Pablo Torre Finds Out Blake Griffin” will find this clip endlessly rewatchable.

4. Final Thoughts and Call to Watch

Blake Griffin’s recollection of the Clippers’ “Pioneers” shirt is more than just a funny throwback—it’s a perfect window into the strange, high-stakes theater of NBA free agency and the long memory of the internet. Whether you followed Griffin’s Lob City years, enjoy his broadcasting work, or simply love great storytelling, this PTFO segment delivers laughs and insight in equal measure.

Don’t miss the full conversation. Hit play on the original post, then check out the complete Pablo Torre Finds Out episode for even more stories involving Steve Ballmer, Kelly Clarkson, and Griffin’s unique perspective on the league.

In their pitch to make Blake Griffin a “Clipper for life,” team staffers wore a Blake Griffin-themed “Pioneers” shirt, featuring Griffin alongside Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Einstein, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, JFK, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson.

Original video link:
https://x.com/pablofindsout/status/2112580462120235181/video/1

Twitter Embed Code:

In their pitch to make Blake Griffin a “Clipper for life,” team staffers wore a Blake Griffin-themed “Pioneers” shirt, featuring Griffin alongside Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Einstein, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, JFK, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jackson. pic.twitter.com

— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) October 20, 2026

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