'Yes 'Cers!': Southwest flight attendant backs Pacers, pumps up fans flying to Game 7 in OKC
On a flight carrying both Pacers and Thunder fans, a Southwest crew member joined in the NBA Finals excitement with a playful pre-flight announcement.
OKLAHOMA CITY — After the passenger door closed on Southwest flight 3202 to Denver Friday afternoon, flight attendant Gerald Graham began his pre-flight announcements from the front of the plane.
He greeted passengers, delivered the usual safety briefing — and then added a little flair to wrap up.
“I see we have a lot of OKC fans on here,” he said, smiling. “You guys had your opportunity.
“Pacers in 7. Yes ‘Cers!”
Cheers broke out on the Boeing 737 Max 8, which carried a mix of fans. And like many making their way to Oklahoma City for Game 7 of the NBA Finals, they were connecting through cities like Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, or Chicago — because there are no non-stop flights from Indianapolis to OKC on any airline.
There were at least a dozen Thunder fans onboard, including several seated in the exit row.
After landing, Graham explained to Fieldhouse Files that he’s not from Indiana but follows the Pacers — especially now, with the franchise one win away from its first NBA title.
“I think they’re due for a win,” he said. “Me and the ops station up top were saying that we were going to pick with (OKC fans) a little bit because that’s what you do with basketball games.
“I think it was fun.”
Graham and his Baltimore-based Southwest crew had an overnight stop in Indianapolis after arriving late Wednesday. On the way in, they caught the Pacers’ 108–91 win in Game 6.
“Everybody watched the game on the plane,” he said. “There was hooting and hollering going on. It’s fun — it’s a good time.”
Graham, who’s been a flight attendant for eight years, is originally from New York.
“My family is big, big, real big on sports,” he said. “All things New York because that’s where we’re from, but when our team doesn’t do the best, we venture out and we pick other teams.”
It was the Pacers who eliminated the Knicks in six games to reach the NBA Finals — and just a year ago, they won a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
Now, the Pacers need one more major road victory — chasing win No. 16 of the postseason.
No matter who wins, it’ll be the franchise’s first NBA championship.
Sports are fun. Experiences like these are memorable. And on a flight full that included many NBA fans, Gerald Graham brought some playoff spirit to the skies.