Ginger Snap: Red QB & Recessive Jean Score Touchdown
On stage: Troy High School Varsity Quarterback Kyair Carr, left, officially “carded” into The League of Extraordinary Red Heads Red Heads by Founder Duncan Crary, right, during Night of the Walking Red, 2025. All photos by Neil Grabowsky.
The League of Extraordinary Red Heads hosted its 12th annual meeting and “Night of the Walking Red” event on Wednesday, Oct. 8, this year, with a fiery showing at Ryan's Wake Public House on River Street.
During the formal meeting portion of the evening, League Founder Duncan Crary took to the stage before an audience of nearly 200 gingers, holding up a large black sign with the group’s logo and the words “Agenda: 1) Us 2) Them.”
For the first topic of discussion, Crary informed the crowd that he had recently read an article in The Record about Troy High School’s star quarterback, sophomore Kyair Carr. He then held up an enlarged copy of that newspaper article. “Do you notice anything about the quarterback?” Crary asked pointing to the photo. “Here, let me help you,” he continued, flipping over the poster to reveal an even larger photo cropped to better show Carr with curly, long, strikingly red hair.
Crary then announced that the athlete was in the house and the crowd cheered as he was called onto the stage.
“Ky, do you love your red hair?” Crary asked.
“Yes,” Carr confirmed.
Crary then handed a League of Extraordinary Red Heads Member card to Carr, explaining, “We have a saying when we card a new member: ‘There are no dues to join this league because you already paid them growing up.’”
Crary then led “The Toast of the Coppertops,” an annual rite, “To red-headed touchdowns.”
The two then posed for a selfie on stage with the crowd cheering and laughing behind them.
Moving on to the second agenda item, “2) Them,” Crary said only: “What are they doing? I don’t even know anymore.”
Before closing the official proceedings, Crary reminded the assembly that every year there is always a “Random Red” in their midst—a person with natural red hair who unknowingly arrived at Ryan’s Wake public house during Night of the Walking Red with no idea that scores of gingers had already filled the place.
“This year’s Random Red is Stacey,” Crary said, inviting her to pose for a photograph before the stage holding the Agenda poster.
Stacey is the “Random Red” in 2025.
Next, a red-haired duo comprised of performance artist Georgi and her musical partner Sean Hoots entertained the gathering with a 20-minute showcase of select songs and character sketches from their touring show “Recessive Jean,” which explores what it means to be a redhead.
Sean Hoots rocks the reds in a showcase performace of “Recessive Jean.”
Georgi transitions between ginger characters on stage.
Recessive Jean on stage.
Nearby, Carr posed at the photo booth with friends, relatives and Flying Horses Head Coach Jordan Canzeri. Earlier that day, Crary requested permission from the coach for his player to attend the festivities through a humorous and fact-filled letter on League of Extraordinary Red Heads letterhead.
“As you are aware, Ky has a rare condition that causes his hair to be naturally colored red. This condition presents itself in people of all races, nationalities and creeds. But only 1% to 2% of the total human population has naturally occurring red hair, therefore qualifying redheads as among the smallest demographics on earth,” the letter stated.
It continued: “Improbably, this statistically tiny group counts among their ranks some of the greatest figures in world history, such as George Washington, Malcolm X, Chuck Norris, Kris Kringle, Lucy Ricardo (née Lucille Esmeralda McGillicuddy), Carol Burnett, Archie Andrews, Agent Dana Scully, Rick Astley, Bozo the Clown, the comedian Sinbad, and, naturally, Helen of Troy.”
Carr and his guests were treated to a meal, courtesy of the League as league members visited their table to introduce themselves and to talk football and red hair. One such visitor was James Juron, originally of Lansingburgh, a red-haired ZZ Top look alike who fronts the band "Ginger Geezus."
Adoring fans after he show, from left to right, Sarah Straight, Elaine Genz and David Straight greet the performance artist Georgi after her showcase of “Recessive Jean.”
About 140 redheads plus a few “UnRed” family members and friends reported for the group photo, taken at 6:15 p.m. with more gingers trickling in later.
One red-haired fellow came up from Philadelphia to participate while sporting a t-shirt with the slogan “The Carpet Matches the Drapes.”
James “Ginger Geezus” Juron has surpassed Anasha Cummings in sheer abundance of ginger hair.
Anasha, still impressively hirsute.
Colin Butler, left, with his uncle Anthony Gagliardi sporting a real LoERH tattoo.
Many members who have seen this photograph have declared that this wee lass embodies the ginger spirit. Full stop.
The League rallies under its banner every year in early October, when the world turns red, orange, ginger and auburn. For information, visit: www.extraordinary.red