The story behind the universally recognized sports gesture.
We’ve all done it–not just in sports– but to celebrate other accomplishments, too. It’s the “High Five.”
In any sport, teammates celebrate with a High Five. At work, co-workers respond with a High Five.
Where did this popular hand gesture come from?
The origin of the High Five? (photo, InstinctMagazine.com)
From what I can tell, the practice dates back to October 2nd, 1977. It was the last day of the regular season and the LA Dodgers were playing the Houston Astros.
In the sixth inning, LA’s Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run of the year. Baker’s teammate, Glenn Burke, who was waiting on deck for his at-bat, greeted Baker at the plate with hands-over-head. Baker wasn’t sure what to do. Leading with his gut, he reached up and smacked Burke’s hands with five fingers held high.
If that wasn’t the first High Five, then it certainly happened a few years later– in 1980, to be specific.
The Louisville Cardinals basketball team was practicing. Forward Willy Brown gave a “Low Five” to teammate Derek Smith. Smith looked at Brown and reportedly said, “No! Up high!” Brown complied.
No matter how it started, the fact remains that it’s a landmark gesture today–seen everywhere around the country and all over the world. In fact, there is a theory that suggests that high fives can play a role in determining wins and losses.
And High Fives may have more than celebratory benefits. A 2014 medical study found that it spreads fewer germs than handshakes.
There’s even a National High Five Day. It’s celebrated on the third Thursday of April each year. It began in 2015 when a group of UVA students stood in the quad and passed out High Five’s all day long.
So, go ahead: High Five!
Celebrating High Five’s at the University of Virginia
