By Jeramie McPeek, Suns.com
Posted: Nov. 24, 2003

Phoenix Suns Head Coach Frank Johnson pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade today, acquiring a strong, versatile and energetic tie.

Yes, tie.

The 100-percent silk Ermenegildo Zegna necktie actually belonged to Johnson originally, but was given away as part of a recent online sweepstakes. Suns.com has teamed up with Fox Sports Net Arizona to reward fans for watching the television broadcasts of Suns home games. More than 4,000 fans have entered the recent “Watch, Click & Score” promotions for a chance to win a piece of the game, such as Amaré Stoudemire’s jersey, Shawn Marion’s shoes and Johnson’s tie and clipboard.

David White, a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant and recruiter, was chosen as the grand prize winner during the Nov. 15 broadcast, but the Suns’ coach was reluctant to give up the orange and silver striped accessory. He eventually did, of course, as he’d agreed to the sweepstakes to begin with, but was disappointed as he had forgotten about the promotion the afternoon of the Suns-Pistons game and wore one of his favorite ties to the arena by accident.

“I was certainly sad, but I knew I had to part with it,” he said after Monday morning's practice.

Fortunately for Johnson, the winner offered to return the prized tie upon hearing of the coach’s plight.

“They told me that Frank wore the wrong tie by mistake and he didn’t want to part with it,” said White, a lifelong Suns fan. “So I told them, ‘Hey, if he really wants his tie back, maybe they could make me an honorary ball boy for a night.’”

With negotiations initiated, Johnson countered with an invitation to a Suns practice for White, his wife and two sons, who jumped at the offer.

“We got some autographs and my kids got to meet some of the players,” said White, who also posed for photos with Johnson, Penny Hardaway and Shawn Marion, and got a kick out of sharing the tie story with Scott Williams. “It was definitely worth the trade for Frank to have his tie back.”

With the tie back around his neck, Johnson joked around with White’s family and said that the trade worked out well for both sides.

“I got a late birthday gift,” said the coach, who turned 45 on Sunday. “It was a great gift to me. This is one of my favorite ties. Maybe I’ll wear it next time we wear our orange uniforms.”

The 31-year-old Phoenix fan, who has the autographed game-used clipboard on display at the Air Force Recruiting Office, said he probably would have never worn the tie anyway.

“I’m not a tie person,” he said, “except when I’m in uniform and it’s a clip on.”

The next Watch, Click & Score sweepstakes is scheduled for Friday night’s Suns-Warriors game. Click here for more information on how you can enter to win Jake Voskuhl’s jersey.