Divine Cox is a sneakerhead.

As such, he admires and collects sneakers as a hobby.  He is also experienced in telling the difference between real and fake replicas of sneakers.

"I've been collecting sneakers since high school," the young airman with the 62nd Airlift Wing's Public Affairs office related.

The birth of the sneakerhead culture occurred in the 1980s and received a significant boost from basketball's Michael Jordan.

Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Jordan successfully transitioned his career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards into the production of Nike's Air Jordan sneakers.

"I am a Nike shoe fanatic," Cox emphasized with a big smile  "While I have Pumas, Adidas and other brands in my collection, I focus on Nike's Air Jordan series."

Twenty-three brands comprise the series.

Air Jordan is a brand of shoes and athletic clothing designed, owned and produced for Michael Jordan by Nike's Jordan Brand subsidiary.

"I've tried on all of the shoes - I wear a size twelve - and I have worn about half of them," he commented.

His desire to collect sneakers began when he was a little boy.

While growing up in Queens in New York City, Cox learned to appreciate the fashion industry.

"My father always got me the newest pair of shoes, and I grew to appreciate the shoes, the statement they made."

Cox pursued his interest in shoes, particularly Air Jordans, after moving to South Carolina where he went to high school and college.

"I got my first job at a Sonics so that I could earn the money to buy my first pair of sneakers."

Since 2004, Cox has acquired 125 pairs of shoes, many of which are Nike's Air Jordan line of sneakers.

"I particularly like the Jordan 6s, 7s, 10s and 11s series," he added.

Low keyed about his hobby, Cox said it is not uncommon for individuals to come up and ask him if he would sell the shoes he is wearing.

"I can be wearing a ten-year-old pair of Air Jordans that are in excellent shape, and someone will ask if I will sell them."

He doesn't; Cox knows the value of his investment.

"I buy the shoes when they first come out because I know that in a very short period of time, they will be worth a lot more."

The most expensive pair he has purchased cost $450; the least expensive retailed for $120.

Cox continues to buy shoes but does so only after he has met his obligations to his family.

"My wife supports my hobby, but I run any purchase I want to make past her before I make the buy," he added.  

Cox added that he plans on passing his investment on to his sons.

"You only live once," he said before heading back to his duty station. "Everything you want or want to do, go for it.  Live for the moment."