PALMER, PALMER SHOW BROTHERHOOD AMONG COMETS

Both were born in January of 1989. One wears number 5, the other number 51. They share the same hometown, the same high school, the same college and the same last name.

However, forward Ramone Palmer and defender Robert Palmer are neither twins, nor related at all. These facts are not the setup for a riddle-- they are simply a set of coincidences that have created confusion for some, but a close relationship between two teammates.

“It’s pretty often, it’s been like that since we’ve been in the US,” said Ramone, describing the frequency that people have mistaken himself and Robert for brothers. “A lot of times people see us together, and we have the same last name, and growing up together, as well, you know.”

The rest of the Kansas City Comets have known Ramone and Robert for several years, as the pair both played on the 2013-2014 MISL Championship Winning Comets team. The natives of Kingston, Jamaica have known each other even longer.

“We knew of each other because we played against each other first.” said Robert.

“In… Primary school?” said Ramone, looking for his teammate for confirmation.

“[When we were] maybe like, 10.” Robert added. “His team won, 4-3.”

“It was 4-3, that game,” said Ramone, “That’s the first time we met, and then after that we went to the same high school. In high school we became teammates.”

“But we played against each other in club.” Robert commented. “And then [we were played at] the same college.”

While the pair were at Park University, Robert was named the MCAC Freshman of the Year, and Ramone was later named the American Midwest Conference player of the year. Both earned AMC First-Team All-Conference honors multiple times.

Their teammates are well aware that the Palmers have no relation, but still make jokes about the team’s resident ‘twins’. Ramone and Robert agree that they do not look like brothers, but nevertheless take the teasing in stride.

“Sometimes I joke that it’s the same dad, different mom.” said Robert.

“We like the fact that people might actually think we’re brothers, you know?” said Ramone.

“Yeah, we feel that way,” said Robert, “Sometimes, blood doesn’t make you related. We’ve known each other for so long, you know?”

“Yeah we see each other as family, so you know, when people make that jokes it’s something that we accept and we like.” added Ramone.

Robert and Ramone have used their many instances of common ground as opportunities to bond.

“We are always together, and we have the same name,” said Robert.

“We’re just a couple of days apart, too, so we have a lot of similarities.” said Ramone.

“We were born the same year, same month.” added Robert.

“But just a couple days apart-- Robert is older by a few days.” concluded Ramone.

The close relationship between these two is clear, the pair is often finishing each other’s sentences. Robert and Ramone are certainly a special case, but the brotherhood they feel is shared by many on the team.

Throughout all of athletics, players often refer to their teams as a family, but seeing only a few practices and games would convince anyone that playing for the Comets means that every teammate is your brother.

Ramone, Robert and the rest of the Comets family will seek their first home win on Saturday, December 22, as they take on the St. Louis Ambush in Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.