ST. LOUIS (Jan. 10) - It lived a life most of us would envy. But, in the end, NBA point guard Jason Kidd's New Year's mustache never really had a chance and ended up in a bathroom basin, dead after less than a week of life.

"We salute Jason Kidd for having the guts to grow a 'stache when many said he couldn't," said Aaron Perlut, executive director of The American Mustache Institute."Sadly, Kidd disappointed us all. Now, his mustache is gone and there's a void above his lip and in the hearts of mustached-Americans everywhere."

Jason Kidd, an all-star point guard, grew his mustache in controversy. Its exploits were cheered by mustache wearers across the U.S. and beyond who saw in Kidd the kind of role model that emerges once in a generation. His pencil-thin mustache was reminiscent of an aging Erroll Flynn and it set apart Kidd from the rest of the NBA players who have largely deserted the mustache since Michael Jordan left the league. Almost immediately, the media used it to criticize Kidd and an entire era of NBA basketball.

As the defender of mustache rights, The American Mustache Institute came to Kidd's defense, pointing to the need for diversity on the basketball court and beyond. But, it wasn't enough and Kidd gave into the pressure and shaved.

"Sadly, despite AMI's efforts, a mustache was shaved yesterday, and you may not have known this but every time a mustache is shaved, an angel in heaven dies and falls to earth, which is a shame," Perlut said. "Our prayers are, of course, with the family."

The American Mustache Institute has established a fund in memory of Jason Kidd's mustache that will be used to educate young people about the merits of facial hair. Contributions are being accepted through the AMI website. "A mustache is a terrible thing to shave," Perlut said.

About the American Mustache Institute

Founded in the shadow of the world's largest mustache in St. Louis, The American Mustache Institute (AMI) is an advocacy organization protecting the rights of, and fighting discrimination against, mustached-Americans by promoting the growth, care, and culture of the mustache. AMI continues to battle negative stereotyping that has accompanied the mustache since those glory years of the 1970s - the peak of mustache acceptance - fighting to create a climate of acceptance, understanding, flavor saving, and upper lip warmth for all mustached Americans alike.