‘Mr. Portland’ Jake McGrady is doing it for Rip City culture, Blazers fans

Birth and Exponential Rise

“’77 is literally everywhere.”

Seven Seven was the name created, and we now know it as an up-and-coming Portland-staple clothing company.

The Portland Trail Blazers won their first and only NBA Championship in 1977.

However, McGrady and the crew didn’t want the name or brand to be restricted to just the Blazers. They find joy in people saying things like, “I really like that logo and name — but what does it mean?”

Their first drop happened in late February. The “Skyline Collection” is a custom design highlighting the great city of Portland. It puts “Portland, OR” in the forefront with a great piece of art squared in the middle. It’s unique and edgy — but grounded as well. 

On April 4, their second design hit the pre-sale market. The “Clock Tee,” which showcased a design of Lillard tapping his wrist inside of a red alarm clock, is more Blazers-focused than the site’s first release. 

Seen Around the World

ESPN broadcaster Neil Everett, a Pacific Northwest native, donned a Seven Seven shirt on SportsCenter, unbeknownst to McGrady or anybody at Seven Seven.

Of course, after they recorded their episode with 2nd String Sports, Gourley and Sechrist of Portugal. The Man were gifted with Seven Seven merch, months before it hit the web.

“The coolest part,” McGrady recalls, “was that they were so excited, they threw the gear on right away. Without us even asking. We took some pictures, and it was just a great time.”

Other Blazers media figures, including Hurd and Jamie Hudson of NBC Sports Northwest, have worn Seven Seven gear. Hurd wore a “Skyline Collection” shirt on a flight during the regular season and Tweeted a shout-out to McGrady and Ocampo.

Other fans of the brand have weighed in including one from Japan and another who wore a Seven Seven short beneath his high school graduation robe.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the support,” McGrady says. “And (we) love that people are interested and excited to see what we have to come as well.”

McGrady says he hopes to “provide Portland-influenced street wear that represents everything that makes the city special.”

“The brand represents those in the city who are passionate about something,” he says. “Portland is a very melting-pot-type city, so we want something that can reach out to everyone.”