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Uni Watch

Monday Morning Uni Watch

By
MMUW Hed

By Phil Hecken

Paul’s still recovering from his weekend in the boonies, so he’s left me in charge of the ship. It’s the first MMUW of 2011, so let’s get right into it.

Obviously, yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9-11, so the NFL was all over the crass celebrations solemn memorials. We’ll look at those first:

• The league put a memorial ribbon on everything. And I do mean everything. Even the cheerleaders had them.

• Players with Reebok contracts were allowed to wear gaudy “Look At Me” gloves. Prior to the weekend, there was some talk that players who wore these gloves would be fined. But the NFL figured that might be a bad PR move.

• Players with Reebok contracts were also permitted to wear even gaudier “Look At Me” shoes. Players without Reebok contracts didn’t want to feel left out, so several others joined their Reebok comrades by wearing Red, White and Blue shoes for warmups. The Reebok guys got to wear theirs during the games.

• Coaches also wore memorial ribbons. Except for Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur, who clearly hates America (either that or his ribbon fell off, I’m not sure which). That’s OK though, because Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin made up for it with two ribbons (a pin and a stick-on) and a First Responder Cap. Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett and the Ryan twins also sported First Responder caps.

• Of course, the fans had to get into the act too. Some seemed to take a more respectful approach to 9/11, while others…well, others really got the true meaning of 9/11. Really, folks?

• Not all the uni-action yesterday revolved around the waving of the red-white-and-blue. The Cleveland Browns’ Josh Gibbs wore his leg “warmers” as forearm sleeves. I’m not sure if I love that or I hate it, but it is an interesting effect.

• Several teams wore white at home yesterday, including the Browns, Texans, Jaguars, Ravens, Buccaneers, and Chargers.

• The Buccaneers wore a Lee Roy Selmon memorial sticker on their helmets (screen grab courtesy of Rob Holecko).

• We got our first regular season look at the Buffalo Bills new uniforms yesterday, and boy did they look good. Not really a fan of the helmet stripe (which is wider at the base of the neck and tapers as it approaches the front).

• Several Colts continue to wear the super-stretchy uniforms, and Reebok still hasn’t figured out how to put loops on the shoulders properly.

• Cam Newton, who has an UnderArmour shoe contract, came out of the tunnel sporting these ‘no spatting needed’ cleats in red and blue. I thought rookies were supposed to be humble. By game time, he’d changed into the blue/black model.

• Several readers earlier this year noticed the Rams had changed their helmet horns. Here’s a good look at the difference.

• Confirming what we already knew: Fifth year captains are wearing a patch with four gold stars and a gold “C”.

• The Titans might have been able to beat the Jaguars had they decided to play the full game wearing helmets.

• Most teams wore the 9-11 patch on their left breast. However, teams who already have a patch in that location, like the Steelers and Chiefs, wore it on the right side.

• San Diego Chargers defensive end Antonio Garay had um, an interesting look yesterday.

• The Giants are another team who sport the super-stretchies. It really provides an odd uniform look … one that is not uniform.

• Is the NFL requiring captains this year (or at least, captain patches)? Because a few readers didn’t think they’d ever seen a Captaincy patch on the Jets or the Cowboys before.

That’s about it — if I missed anything, I apologize. Feel free to post any uni-oddities or other aesthetic observations down in the comments.

Oh…Why did the Cowboys lose late last night? Clearly, they’re not America’s Team anymore.

~~~~~~~~~~

vilk 5 & 1 b

5 & 1

Ever wonder what a “Pro 5 & 1” would look like?

You don’t expect to see a 5 & 1 on a Monday, but then again, I don’t get to do too many Monday articles. So I drafted Jim Vilk for a one-time-only, pro version of the 5 & 1. Here’s Jim:

~~~

5. Steelers/Ravens There *might* be better matchups, but it’s just poetic justice seeing James Harrison knocked on his keester.

4. Colts/Texans The Colts are like UCLA (which is no longer a good thing).

3. Seahawks/49ers The less Seahawk Blue, the better, so I like the all-whites.

2. Saints/Packers – Super, man.

1. Bills/Chiefs – The most improved unis vs. the best unis in the league.

And the bad one: Titans/Jaguars – The 2nd-worst number font (after Detroit’s) vs. the worst unis in the league.

~~~

Thanks Jim. I think we’ll keep you doing the college thing from now on.

~~~~~~~~~~

Uni Watch News Ticker: See how some Newberry College players have a helmet stripe while others don’t? Explanation here (from Kristin Vines). ”¦ Two years after the S100 batting helmet was introduced, MLB players still don’t like it (from Marc Malfara). ”¦ An Alabama mom turned her son’s lacrosse uniform into a corset (from my pal Karen McBurnie). ”¦ Also from Karen: There’s an exhibition on late-1800s sportswear currently running on Staten Island. ”¦ Oooh, check this out: 1970s uniform/costume specs for McDonald’s (thanks, Kirsten). ”¦ Cam Newton’s been wearing some interesting pants in practice (from Nick Wall). ”¦ Weirdest promotional photos ever: 100-year-old pics of the New Westminister Salmonbellies lacrosse team at a local salmon cannery — in full uniform (XXL-sized thanks to Dan Richardson). ”¦ Is there a BFBS jersey in the works for Kentucky? “Say it ain’t so,” says Chris Edwards. … A new orange jersey to go with the orange pants for Va Tech? “Let’s hope not,” says Andrew Cosentino. … Greg Patton digs this logo shirt to help raise $$ for TX Wildfire Survivors. … Riley Adair sends along a story about the Green Bay Packers helping out a high school in Montgomery, Ala. … This auction shows a helmet that looks like it’s more for the Titans than for the Jets (nice catch by Jason Hoffman). … Alan Poff notes that the Single-A Daytona Cubs have a new logo and uniforms. … Do you like voting for logos? Then David Lassen has found a contest for you. “Lots of blah,” he says. … Matt Shepardson “Just wanted to make sure (Paul) saw this.” Click on that at your peril. … Jim Vilk asks, “Shouldn’t the Penn State one be plain blue?” … Interesting spot by Ben Harris: the new MAC logo patches that teams are wearing. “I felt as if i’d seen that logo somewhere before, and I figured out what it was.” … Warren Junium thinks the new ND equipment truck is a bit of a step up from the random, unmarked truck ND formerly used. Perhaps it’s part of the new trend of using shiny objects to attract 17-year-olds. … Very prominent uniform failure at the Rugby World Cup, spotted by Joe Bonneau: about half of England player’s numbers were peeling off their jerseys at some point in the game. “A bunch of players seemed to switch at halftime, or at least re-glue the numbers on,” adds Joe. … Kyle Hanks notes that on Saturday, the University of Washington wore white helmets (a first, he believes) with American Flag logo vs. Hawaii. … How annoying is it sitting behind some guy holding up a huge sign at a game? “I like the awareness of the Auburn fans,” says Kurt Witten. … Looked like Ohio State’s jerseys were having an issue with the glue used to glue down the numbers bleeding through the numbers themselves. For lack of a better photo, you can kinda make it out in this picture (thanks to Andy McNeel). … Michael Emmer at a Kohl’s this Saturday, saw this shirt, and thought of Uni Watch. Says Michael, “This was in the kid’s section. Maybe one day we can send those at Nike who thought up this shit into a real combat zone.” … Joshua Hallatt noted the Hoosiers broke out white helmets for the first time since 1966 for Saturday’s game against Virginia. … Here’s another shot of the University of Washington white helmet which featured a Stars and Stripes version of the block “W” (with thanks to Jeff Peterson). … Good spot by Chris Tank, who noticed that Junior Hemmingway, #21 for Michigan, is the lone player on Michigan with a Desmond Howard patch (albeit crooked) where his three-stripe brand should be. Reader Jeff A. noted in Saturday’s comments that “Musburger just explained Michigan’s plan to keep circulating numbers of legends rather than retiring them.” … In the same game, Kevin Bailey noticed, and got some screen grabs of the officials decked out in throwback garb. … Two great grabs from Matty Eggan: one of BC’s helmets with the tribute to Welles Crowther, notice the new striping which was worn during game as well, also an unidentifed ND player with some Adi-tech issues. … More uni malfunctions from that game: Denard Robinson decal difficulties (thanks to Aaron Wiens). … Another grab from Chris Tank: Jeremy Gallon with a touchdown pass showing three block Ms between his jersey and gloves. … Seth Moorman found this article on bone rubbing in Yahoo Sports Friday. … Brady Phelps says, “Bolts fans will appreciate this.” … Maybe the Irish luck ran out as they started losing their clovers,” says Mike Rowinski. … According to Will Kaplan Vandy wore black helmets Saturday night vs. UConn, first time they’ve done so since 1990. (“They looked awesome, BTW,” says Will) … WKU incorporated the american flag into the towel logo for Saturday night’s game against Navy and to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Here are some pictures of the helmet (thanks to Brian Ditmer). … The Las Cruces Vaqueros have fans voting for next year’s uniform set (that comes from Dan Cichalski). … Good spot by T.R. Herzog who notes that some of Toledo’s unis have a gigantic NOB, courtesy of UnderArmour. … There is a ball girl at the U.S. Open with a prosthetic leg (thanks, Brinke). … Anthony Emerson saw this famous Budweiser commercial from Super Bowl XXXVI rebroadcast during yesterday’s games. … Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: On Saturday, Colorado State wore special orange jerseys to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage (CSU use to be known as the Colorado A&M Aggies who were orange). … Last Friday, Paul asked about the WRL patch on NFL ref hats. Michael LoBianco reports, “The patch is to remember my good friend’s father, William (Bill) Lovett, who was an NFL referee for 18 years and founded and led the training program for NFL officials.” … How far away are they talking about Maryland’s costumes? Across the pond they are — and The National (who carried the story) even mentioned Paul. … MLB commemorated the anniversary of 9/11 with flag patches on players’ caps and jerseys; meanwhile the Mets and Yankees wore first responder caps in pre-game warmups. … Also outfield walls and fields were adorned with additional tributes. … The Milwaukee Brewers wore gold jerseys on Saturday. … Yesterday, the Diamondbacks wore their 2001 throwbacks, but, unfortunately, Henry Blanco’s gear didn’t match, creating an interesting palate. … Seth Moorman was watching the San Diego/Minnesota game yesterday and noticed that the old AFC logo was being used inside the stadium. … Joey Serge had this to say about the MLB flag patches, “I find it interesting that they took the time to manufacture and sell the 9.11 flag caps, but only distributed stick-on flags to the players.” … Interestingly, the previous photo was of Sean Marshall, who seemed to have sticker problems on the back, too (with thanks to Jennifer Hayden).

~~~~~~~~~~

OK, everyone, that’s all for me for this week. I’m happily handing over the reins back to Paul. See ya this weekend.

~~~

“Every home team today should be wearing this. Go America.” — Ben Traxel

 
  
 
Comments (266)

    It looked like that all game. Even in the photo in the main article it’s still there, just hard to see.

    yeah…i see it now (not so easy to see at midnight after a long day)…i was looking for it on his chest, not the collar

    my bad

    Rookie league action in the NHL, with a uni bit:
    link
    It looks like the Florida Panthers made new jerseys for the rookies, judging by an apparent lack of Bettman stripes. (This is, of course, the new look for next year, to go with the red jerseys.) However, the Tampa Bay Lightning rookies are SO LAST SEASON in the old black uniforms.

    I’m spending today at the library to check the newspapers around December 7, 1951 to see how many gaudy, crass, over-hyped Pearl Harbor 10th anniversary memorials sports teams used back then. [/just joking]

    I’m just hoping that since it’s now been 10 years, we can get over it already. We do not need to continue “celebrating” 9/11 perpetually into the future.

    Those fireman risk their lives EVERY DAY. The guy who responded on 9/11 isn’t any more of a hero than the guy who was fighting a fire or rescuing someone on 9/10.

    Will do. My fire station is basically next door, and I know the guys personally. They ARE slightly offended that the brave actions of a few fire fighters 10 years and a day ago shadow what they do 24/7.

    Continuing my point…

    There was a firefighter that rushed in to a burning abandoned building to try to save a bunch of squatters about a year and a half ago down here in New Orleans. Suffered some injuries. I think another fire fighter died in the incident.

    I didn’t watch every NFL game yesterday, so I may be wrong- but I don’t believe anyone was wearing a patch or ribbon for that dude.

    so… are you two suggesting that fire fighters possibly watched the games yesterday with a “hey, i do that too” attitude??? cause if you are, then please never walk into a fire house and repeat The’s comment word for word…

    You think there aren’t a few fire departments that might be, oh, just a bit irritated that New York’s fire departments get all of this heroic praise while their own department is ignored and underfunded? Give me a break.

    I’m sorry Ry Co, I do know fire fighters and police, and have spoken to them over the years.

    Most of them are selfless and find these tributes to be the exact opposite: self aggrandizing. And not only self aggrandizing for the NY first responders, but ignorant of what first responders do every single day. Its trite, ignorant, pandering and does nothing for anyone in the end.

    I also know PLENTY of idiots that adorn their cars, clothing, and more disgustingly- their kids in 9/11 patriotic crap. They do it to bring attention to themselves. End of story.

    Let me lay down an A/B comparison. In September-October 2005 baseball teams wore the American Red Cross logo on their helmets (and hats I think). It wasn’t a look-at-me “tribute”… it was a direct call to fans to donate actual money (or volunteer time) for a tragedy that was going on at the time, where resources were necessary.

    Another example: Jeff Gordon, NASCAR driver, prominently displays “text ‘hunger’ to [whatever the number is] to help end hunger”. While my point still stands that people do this partially for their own image, the “tribute” is asking people to send actual money to help in an actual, ongoing issue.

    The 9/11 crap was and is the exact opposite.

    I think every NFL team should be required to have an alternate uniform patterned after the American flag to demonstrate how much they love America. I would just like to know in advance on what weekends teams would be required to wear them so that I can make plans to go camping.

    But, of course, teams should be allowed to wear a patch in their actual team colors…we wouldn’t want to carry this American flag theme too far, would we?

    Because it doesn’t belong on a non-olympic sports uniform.

    What, are we going to forget what country we’re in if we aren’t constantly reminded of it? NFL helmets didn’t need flags on them before 9/11/01, why do they still need them now, 10 years later?

    Honestly…? I think the American flag is overused as a a symbol of patriotism and tht cheapens it. If the flag was truly sacred we should see less of it…just my opinion.

    Well, dressing up in the flag didn’t work for the NHL’s New York Americans. Harlem Globetrotters had better luck, though.

    While the Daytona Cubs new logo is MILES better than the crappy one they had before, they still need to get some red in there somewhere. If they weren’t called the Cubs I wouldn’t care, but if you’re using the same team name as your MLB papas you need to honor their colors a bit more.

    I actually don’t mind it with the powder blue; back when the Cubs wore that color there was hardly any red in it — just the bear logo on the sleeve and the C on the cap.

    I wonder what those uniforms are going to look like on the back. They’ll probably make a custom number font (hope not), and I hope it’s just numbers on the backs.

    The first- and second-generation Cubs powder blues (solid and first iteration of the pinstripes) only had red on the cap. The sleeve logo had no red.

    Being that it’s a class A team, they will almost certainly be NNOB.

    To be really pedantic about it, the “first generation” of Cubs powder blues were those awesome vests from 1941-42. ^^;

    What year did they switch from the yellow-and-blue bear face logo to the ’80s red-and-blue one? By 1982 they had the newer one with the red in it:

    link

    …and then when the ’82 season started they immediately dropped the powder blues for the dark blue tops with white pants, and kept those until 1990.

    I like the powder blune pinstripes and like how there’s just a little bit of red in that later version. I hope Daytona gets some red in there somewhere.

    I know in the past Paul has talked about how he likes Joe Maddon and some of his “theme” road trips. Got a feeling he’s going to LOVE this one:

    link

    none for the Eagles either… thank goodness

    hard to think of anything dumber than those C patches, but I’m sure we will all try

    As for the Jets not having them before I think that the picture while far away of Sanchez shows two gold stars which would imply that they wore them last year. Hard to tell though. link

    Seeing the Diamondbacks in their ’01 throwbacks (complete with the American flag patch) brought me right back to the first few games after 9/11. They just looked so appropriate. I know they were throwing back to the ’01 World Series team but it got me thinking: every team should throw back to their 2001 unis on 9/11.

    Regarding that Jets-Jaguars auction…

    Could this mean the Jets will be wearing Titans throwbacks next week? I haven’t heard that they intend to wear them this year, and they didn’t wear them last year.

    That seems pretty likely, given these two quotes from the auction page:

    “Here’s your chance, bid now to win the once in a lifetime opportunity to be an honorary captain for the coin toss as the NY Titans (Jets) take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 18th.”

    “Jets fans will have the opportunity to bid on the Jets VIP Honorary Captain Experience for 4 people when the NY Titans (Jets) host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 18th. “

    The Jets really need to stop wearing those damn Titans uniforms. They’re ugly, and seriously, they were only the Titans for 3 seasons, and no one cared. New York AFL nostalgia consists of Joe Namath and Super Bowl III, not the New York Titans. The damn things aren’t even accurate anyway.

    If the Jets want to use a throwback uniform, 1978 or 1990 both look much nicer.

    I like the Titans uniforms. Especially the blue ones. The old gold, old-school varsity-serif numerals look awesome, IMHO.

    I could see the 1978-89 version appear as a throwback in a couple of years. The Jets were somewhat decent during that time; made the playoffs 4 times, usually hovered around .500 most other years (except 1980), the Sack Exchange, etc. A lot of great Jets wore that uni; Joe Klecko, Wesley Walker, Bruce Harper, Freeman McNeil, Al Toon, Greg Buttle, Marty Lyons. Not the 1990-96 version, though; worst era in a Jets history filled with bad eras. Do we really want to commemorate Rich Kotite, Browning Nagle, or Boomer Esiason’s tenure in NY?

    Maybe they could break out the 1963 Jet-plane helmet for one game. I’d like to see that too.

    It’s not like the team’s actual record during that era matters. As “Titans”, the team went 7-7, 7-7 and 5-9. Not exactly a lot of glory there either.

    Not to mention Tampa Bay throwing back to 1976 lately – 0-14. Or the Falcons wearing the ’66-’67 throwback… their record then was a combined 4-23-1.

    Well, I don’t know that there’s any one criterion, or set of criteria, that determines binarily whether or not a team can/can’t, or should/shouldn’t, wear a particular throwback uniform. We could play justification whack-a-mole all day; “Well, if this team wore [X] because of [Y], then why can’t that team wear [Z] because of [Y]?” “If this team shouldn’t wear [A] because of [B], why did that team wear [C] when [B] is the same?”

    There’s no single determining factor that always justifies (or always precludes) the wearing of a particular throwback uniform. Different teams have different histories and different feelings about those histories, and therefore different reasons for wearing different throwback uniforms from different time periods.

    I’m only discussing why they might and why they might not wear a particular throwback. I’m not laying down absolute rules here. Sheesh.

    I don’t really see what’s wrong in individual players and fans recognizing the ten year anniversary of 9/11 by doing a bit of flag waving. This isn’t a money grab by the fans or players – the players were actually willing to take fines in order to express themselves. This isn’t the MLB trying to sell alternate caps. This is a bunch of individuals who express themselves differently from some Uni-Watchers. Nobody’s asking us to wave the flag on 9/11 – but understand that everybody is going to mark this occasion in a different manner. If somebody feels that the stars-and-stripes are a way to mark their solidarity with the families affected by that day, then I think we can be big enough people to let them do it without mocking them.

    This isn’t a money grab…

    Right. That’s why Reebok didn’t put their logo on any of the fireworks gear.

    Seriously, it is gross for ANY company to put ANY company logo on ANYTHING based on the American flag.

    I’m not disagreeing with you on that sentiment, or on the fact that it’s a money-grab by Reebok. My point is the players and fans who are being mocked don’t deserve that kind of treatment – the players are expressing themselves, yes through Reebok or Underarmour gear. Perhaps they’re corporate pawns, but they don’t deserve our scorn. They’re not trying to get any money out of this.

    And the fans who wave flags and paint their faces? Maybe it’s a bit loud for your taste, but personally I don’t think they should be mocked for having a different sentiment.

    9/11 hit a lot of people in a lot of different ways. However people are deciding to mark this occasion, I don’t think they should be judged. Their hearts are in the right place.

    Wrong wrong wrong. Publicity = money. Plain and simple.

    If it weren’t about money, said players would just silently write a check to a 9/11 related charity and not tell anyone.

    Money grab? Maybe not.
    Publicity stunt? Absolutely.

    Why produce and distribute a shoe you know the NFL will forbid…unless it’s to get attention? I mean, Reebok has a supplier contract with the league, right? They don’t know league policy?

    So that’s we’d call an indirect money grab.

    Also, does anyone seriously think anyone won’t remember 9/11? Do we need to be reminded not to forget?

    “September 11th was the date we got sucker-punched and those civilian first responders were so amazing? Gee, it musta slipped my mind.”

    “New slogan: Don’t Forget to Never Forget!”

    Don’t laugh. On XM radio yesterday (maybe the 60s on 6?) I recall hearing something like “Always remember to never forget.”

    Which reminded me of Dwayne Schneider from “One Day at a Time.”

    The point has nothing to do with the companies. It’s with the individual players and fans. Vasav is exactly on point.

    Casey Hart: There’s no difference between a corporation and a public figure. Public figures are companies in and of themselves (often legally registered as corporations).

    Chad Ochocinco is a living, breathing person indeed. In public he’s Chad Ochocinco, Inc.

    I’m not talking about Chad Ochocinco, Inc.; I’m talking about Reebok, whatever. The fact that Chad has a company does not forfeit his right to express a tribute in a manner that is allowed by his employer and does not compromise his integrity as a catcher of footballs.

    The whole “Never Forget” thing…

    My new fun hobby is asking anyone with these goofy 9/11 ribbons, bumper stickers, whatever:

    What day was Pearl Harbor attacked?

    I wasn’t trying to knock Germans as a whole, mind you. But my grandfather was there when they attacked Pearl Harbor, Alaska on September 11, 1941. By the way, the first attack on a US state ever.

    I actually am, believe it or not.

    I hope you realize that by “hobby” I didn’t mean I dedicate my life to it. I just simply enjoy the responses to the question.

    Fair enough. I missed the sarcasm because I have heard the same thing or similar sings said in seriousness.

    Mike 2: All good, I was just kidding with you.

    The one thing I did watch in terms of 9/11 was MSNBC playing the news footage “as it happened”. Tom Brokaw mentioning the War of 1812 took me aback. How many talking heads since 9/11/01 have mentioned that war? Heck, as I said to my wife last night- how many talking heads even know what year the War of 1812 took place in?

    “how many talking heads even know what year the War of 1812 took place in?”

    Pshaw. Everybody knows that September 11, 1812, was a day that shall live in infamy. The battles of Manzanillo … the fall of the Alamo … Bunker Hill … Lexington and Concord. I shudder just thinking about it.

    I think the Texans woman was just a normal face painter. Their colors are red and blue after all. She had nothing to suggest a 9/11 memorial anywhere else.

    Agreed. Glad someone else noted this too. While I suppose it’s possible that she might be celebrating Sept 11, I imagine you’re right–in all likelihood she’s just sporting the Texans’ colors and showing some team spirit.

    Hopefully.

    And that’s the sad thing- this whole 9/11 crap has actually bastardized the red/white/blue color scheme- which is used by A LOT of sports franchises, brands, etc.

    And they look awesome. I think his new contract even includes a provision for an escrow account for the team to pay his $5000 fine for that.

    No one noticed how ill-fitting Ryan Fitzpatrick’s jersey was?

    Looked a cute little top from the American Girl Collection. Kinda poofy at the collarbone with cap sleeves. Quite fetching.

    I know about the super stretchies not getting shoulder stripes right, but did I miss how they screw up the apron strings? Are there any other teams that rock the apron strings with the stretchies that also get cut off by pit holes?

    link

    Re: The Ticker item on flag patches….

    I’m sure some players were not going to wear a new hat for one game, so MLB said here’s the stick on patch.

    I’m noticing an upward creep in length of football pants at college and NFL levels. Knee pads are becoming “old school”. Pretty soon, if not now, NBA pants will go lower than many NFL and college pants in football.

    They already are. I don’t understand how basketball players can move in the dresses they wear and yet football players prefer the John Stockton look (see the pic of the 49er above).

    In terms of the (declining) length of football pants, John Stockton doesn’t come to mind so much as Laura Petrie.

    The Jets have definitely worn captaincy patches before..

    Here’s Favre

    link

    The issue is that in general the team or Rex Ryan picks them before the game.

    I was at the Georgia/South Carolina game in Athens this weekend and was pleased to see how they remembered the events of 9-11. A nice moment of silence and both bands playing “Taps” together as we remembered those that were lost.

    …..and it was nice to have the “Silver Britches” back again too!

    VT has sold orange uniforms in the past that (thankfully) never (dis)graced the field, so here’s to hoping the new orange jersey is just to ramp up sales to people that will buy anything.

    link

    If that jersey had white numbers with maroon trim, it might look pretty good. Even the stupid piping isn’t particularly offensive (from the front).

    Is there a BFBS jersey in the works for Kentucky? “Say it ain’t so,” says Chris Edwards. … A new orange jersey to go with the orange pants for Va Tech? “Let’s hope not, so!” says Andrew Cosentino Jim Vilk.

    (fixed)

    Why do football teams wear white jerseys at home to deal with the heat but wear dark pants? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose? And I thought all these jerseys were cooler and lighter? Maybe that’s why Wake Forest wore all-black on an 82-degree sunny day Saturday.

    Considering the sun is shining down on you, your upper body is going to get a more direct dose than your lower body… so, no not really.

    Although, with today’s materials I doubt there’s really that much of a difference.

    Exactly. Other than if you’re sitting for awhile and the sun beats down on your quads, the issue is the sun on your shoulders and back. A dark jersey can be like a blast furnace generating heat up around your head and neck.

    I have, for example, played weekend-long softball tournaments in Plano, Texas and Kansas City when it was, like, 106 degrees…all in black pants or shorts…with a bunch of 60-year olds. The pants were irrelevant. What kept us upright was that our jerseys were light gray. Had it been the other way around (gray pants and black jerseys) we probably wouldn’t have made it though the first day.

    I’m not an expert at all, so I may be wrong here… but hasn’t it been disproven that wearing black (or darker colors) increases your body temperature in the sun?

    Personally, I exercise by biking outsite every other day. In New Orleans heat. I’ve never noticed a difference in wearing black, white, purple, or whatever.

    Yes, as long you’re moving or excercising it doesn’t make much difference. It’s when you stop, and can’t find shade or a fan or A/C, the dark colors inhibit cool down and recovery. They retain heat, and continue to capture it.

    In the case of softball in dark jerseys on brutally hot days, I don’t remember anyone ever keeling over or getting woozy in the middle of a play or immediately after one. It’s some some right fielder who hasn’t had anything to do for 15 minutes except stand in the sun. Or a base coach. Or standing up after sitting on an unshaded bench for a period of time.

    Ahhhh, gotcha Ricko. Like I said I’m no expert, I just remember some study that “debunked” it. Of course, there’s a study that confirms and denys pretty much everything.

    When I finish exercising, indeed I’m back into the A/C as soon as possible.

    I know my brother and some guys wear shorts in the winter in Ohio.

    Talking about heat and unis always makes me think about the old football players. How they wore long sleeves even in the south. Granted college football season started in late September or early October.

    Same can be said for baseball players in the heat of summer.

    Just an fyi. That new mac logo was introduced a couple years ago now. I dunno when that particular logo for the mll was introduced but the mac has had that at least 2 years maybe even 3 now.

    I worked for the Texas Bowl in December of 2008 and Western Michigan used the old logo, but I worked for the print shop in Cleveland that makes their business cards in the summer of 2009 and those did have the new logo. It’s possible WMU used the old logo by mistake, but the new one has been around at least since 2009.

    Nothing to do with unis, but it IS fall and we ARE talking about college football from time to time and a campus IS part of the aesthetics of such things, so this is just…interesting…
    link

    As a point about the fans you pointed out as going over the top with their patriotism celebration. The girl in the Texans gear (link) probably is not actually sporting America Red, White and Blue. She’s more likely wearing Texans’ Red White and Blue since, you know the Texans color scheme is red, white and blue. In fact, she’s wearing the same color jersey her team wore yesterday and as for her hair and lips, they are painted in the same manner as the Texans logo with blue on the right and red on the left. If you need an example of the Texans logo pattern and color positioning, look at the eye black she’s wearign in the picture. I say we applaud this girl for going all out in supporting her team.

    An article about England Rugby number issues. link

    The numbers were applied locally in NZ. England didn’t have the same trouble in the warm up matches prior to the RWC. If it happens again, they may be fined.

    “I find it interesting that they took the time to manufacture and sell the 9.11 flag caps, but only distributed stick-on flags to the players.”

    Some players are very picky about using the same cap game-after-game, which is why they’d simply stick a flag on their usual cap.

    Bill’s tapered stripe=crap.

    Gold captain patches=double crap. Especially on the Saints’ unis, adding to their mishmash of different shades of gold.

    9-11 ribbon patches=absolutely appropriate.

    USA gloves=just fine for a day.

    Fans’ 9-11 tributes=fine. Everyone can pay tribute how he or she wishes.

    The first two things, I agree with ya.

    But in terms of all the 9/11 stuff… no. If you want to go overboard with patriotism, you would actually have a problem with using the flag in manners that go against the US Flag Code:

    link

    Most of the 9/11 displays yesterday were actually (ironically) against the provisions of the United States.

    Forgive me for not reading the entirety of the flag code site (have to do work at some point), but four things:

    1. I would not interpret the use of elements on the flag as use of the flag itself. I can see an argument that the shoes and gloves are use of the flag due to their use of the elements together on a larger space, but I don’t think that applies to the ribbons. Maybe a lawyer would disagree, if this were some sort of legal issue.

    2. The intent of the flag code appears to be to prevent disrespect of the flag. I think it’s fine to hold the NFL or manufacturers to such a code if one wishes, but the vast majority of fans are using the flag out of respect. Intent counts.

    3. “The Flag Code may be fairly tested: ‘No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America.’ Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.” Again, I didn’t read the whole thing, but I’m guessing flag-adorned football cleats don’t have their own subsection.

    4. This is not the same as MLB’s stupid use of the flag caps or the NFL’s annual overuse of pink. It’s a one-time thing on a special day intended for genuine tribute not revenue. (I’m sure someone is making money off some of the product, but that’s not the main intent.) If I were a player, I wouldn’t wear the shoes and gloves to prove I care about America and that I hurt on 9/11, but I’d be proud to wear the ribbon.

    Intent counts? No. The Flag Code does not say “do whatever you want with our national symbol, as long as your intention is respect”.

    flag-adorned football cleats don’t have their own subsection? Of course not, but the whole “don’t wear the flag or depections of it as clothing” (paraphrased) does.

    And finally, I can’t hammer this point in enough. ATTENTION AND PUBLICITY = MONEY. People bring attention to themselves by draping themselves in the flag. They get articles written about them. They get TV time. This all amounts to money.

    I’m a big NASCAR fan, and know a lot about the sport. The over commercialization does bother me, but opinions aside… there are pannels that re-watch each race second by second to determine how much money Old Style, Lowes, Home Depot made during the race by the seconds they were on the screen. Same goes for people. There are people who analyze what Brad Pitt’s helping New Orleans lower 9th ward do for his Q score- which translates to money.

    Don’t be naive. Attention = money.

    I’ve yet to see any articles written about a specific player wearing flag gear yesterday. And I think it’s good for Brad Pitt to help in New Orleans, whether he makes money off it or not.

    Casey Hart: There were a ton of articles written about specific players saying “I’m wearing my 9/11 flag costume, fines be damned”. Many were linked on this very site a few days ago.

    Also, I live near the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans and actively support Brad Pitt’s efforts. He’s an awesome dude. But make no mistake- a good portion of his efforts are to bolster his public image, and that needs to be taken in to account before blindly calling him a “hero” or what have you.

    I confess I missed those articles. I don’t support someone drawing attention to himself for paying tribute (or for breaking uni rules). I also don’t support articles profiling individuals who are doing nothing that’s particularly different from everyone else. Without reading, it sounds like lazy journalism to me.

    I don’t think Brad Pitt is a hero. It’s nice of him to help, though. He has the right to help, and he shouldn’t have to wear a disguise to prevent himself from getting positive publicity from it. (He doesn’t have to draw attention to himself, either, and I’m unaware as to whether he’s done that.)

    I have no problem with the fans’ displays. Aside from the fact that they grossly violate league rules and the league should have fined them and then donated the fines to a 9/11 charity instead of simply allowing them, even the players’ displays are at some level a personal tribute.

    The league mandated things, like the ribbons everywhere, are no tribute at all though. If you have to do it, it can’t be a display of individual feeling, even if that feeling genuinely exists.

    Agreed that the fine/charity option would have been a good way to go, but it could also have led to more of the self-painted hero depictions noted above. And a donation would be a much better way than flag shoes for any of these guys to honor those who were killed.

    It’s true that the ribbon is not an individual tribute, but I think it’s an appropriate, understated (talking about just the ribbon here and contrasting to the October pinkathon), united tribute from the league.

    Been thinking about this all morning.

    So let me explain something as best I can.

    Yes, the U.S.A. was attacked on 9/11. On our home turf, too. And Americans died on 9/11.

    But the efforts of the first responders had nothing to do with being patriotic. It was about civilian (meaning “non-military”) organizations and their individual members reacting with bravery, heroism and self-sacrifice. Likewise for the passengers on Flight 93.

    What we truly are saluting and remembering is their remarkable humanity, not that they were Americans, because we should never claim those traits as being uniquely American. To suggest they ARE uniquely American is patently absurd. That’s like saying that had the attack happened in Geneva, Swiss first responders would have stood around outside saying, “Are you kidding? I’m not going in there, that place is on fire.”

    We are honoring individuals who stepped up–many of whom died in doing so—in an extraordinary manner, not their Americanism. That’s pretty much entirely irrelevant to their actions.

    To wave the flag and chant “U.S.A.” —or wear special star-spangled shoes—really is just saying you’re still pissed about being attacked, staring at a simple-to-grasp abstraction instead of really appreciating the qualities of the everyday people who became heroes on that day, and those first responders who continue to do so every day.

    Very well said, Ricko. I’ve been thinking of the same things as well, and you put it much better than I did in my mind. Thanks.

    Tying the United States of America to anything is extremely dangerous. The concept of this “USA” people are chanting is much more complex than it comes off as during said chants or within the context of literally draping one self in the flag.

    If you want to honor the individuals who stepped up- don’t drape it in the flag, and do it subtly. And do it with the knowledge that people die selflessly and heroically every single day and get almost zero attention (and I don’t think many of them even WANT it.)

    Yesterday was the first time the Jaguars went all-white with the current uniform kit. Any chance they will use the teal jersey paired with the black pants this season?

    I thought the same thing too since they only have two pants and two jerseys. But the real ironic thing about the white on white yesterday was that when the Jags went from 10 combinations to 2 combinations a few years ago one of the main reasons was because they said they had too many identities with all the combinations and the point specifically was to get to two uniforms.

    “Anthony Emerson saw this famous Budweiser commercial from Super Bowl XXXVI rebroadcast during yesterday’s games.”

    I noticed that ad as well – its one of the very few ads that’s stuck with me through the years. They’ve updated it slightly – in last night’s version, at the end when the horses kneel while facing the Lower Manhattan skyline, the new One World Trade Centre tower is in the skyline.

    The commercial was the same, but different. The first one was aired one time, and one time only- during the Super Bowl. That one showed them running through the snow and cold to the site. This one showed them running through the sun, basically at the end of the summer, with 1WTC there. link

    I noticed the change as well. If you really pay attention to the new one you can tell that they edited the snow out.

    Phil, I only got back into electronic circulation late this morning, so it wasn’t until a few minutes ago that I came across yesterday’s UW and the unbelievable George Chilvers gallery of the great Hungarian soccer team of the early 1950. The Magic Magyars! I’ve already worn out my stash of superlatives on George, but this stuff is, well, beyond compare.

    Re: $ and 9/11 — Keith Olbermann had a good take on why the Mets were not allowed to wear first-responder caps yesterday: link

    The best part of the piece is his distinction between patriotism and tribute. I rarely agree with the extremists on either side, but he got this one right.

    MLB only has itself to thank for all of this. If they had never instituted the “special event” caps like the S&S caps or the lame “Earth Day” caps I doubt players would even get it in their heads to wear a hat other than their normal one.

    I’m on board with a patch, I love the throwbacks, but creating a horrifically ugly hat… and then making the players wear it on field was a dumb idea from the beginning.

    Another thought, from a purely aesthetic point of view, couldn’t they have commissioned New Era to produce 59/50 caps for FDNY, NYPD and the like instead of the horrible snapback caps? Everytime I see somebody wearing it I think of a Times Square street vendor hawking Chinese made crap to tourists.

    I disagree on the aesthetics.

    Yes the original snapback hats looked like crap, but they were authentic. Given to Mets to say “thank you” for visiting firehalls and hanging out with firemen.

    To me, that’s more ‘authentic’ than any hat manufactured by New Era.

    What a blowhard. Maybe MLB realizes that most people outside of the NY market are sick of the fetishizing of a somewhat minor- in comparison to other things that have happened in American history- tragedy.

    You know what we do down here in NOLA every August 29th? We have VERY small, solemn gatherings with a few speeches and moments of silence for the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS who were either killed or had their lives turned upside down (and still do) because of Katrina.

    And we practically beg the national media to, along with us, get over it and move on. (Though they refuse.)

    The Saints and Hornets don’t drape themselves in the flag of Louisiana and/or New Orleans. They don’t wear Katrina-related gloves and shoes.

    In the end, why not ask people who were *actually* affected by 9/11. I have a friend in the financial industry that lost a ton of friends working in the towers. These “tributes” sicken her. Not because it brings back bad memories, but because she sees them as pandering, ignorant, and self aggrandizing.

    I would guess if a hurricane hit NYC and a major terrorist attack took place on New Orleans the rememberances would be reversed. Not a good comparison.

    You’re kidding right?

    A little rain storm hit NYC and it was Shark Week on every major news channel.

    No, if a terrorist attack hit anywhere but NYC it would not be covered/remembered to anywhere near this level. It certainly would be covered and remembered, just no where NEAR what we’re seeing.

    Not sure if you remember (must not have remembered to never forget), but a terrorist attack did hit somewhere other than NYC. Not to the same scale, but I don’t remember the world grinding to a halt and baseball wearing ATF hats and such on April 19, 2005.

    link

    A little rain storm hit NYC?

    WTF? Thousands of people lost their homes in the flooding. And thousands more still are cleaning up from the flood.

    Don’t be such an insenative clod.

    Don’t be such a Bourbon Soaked Idiot. Storms of that magnitude happen 10-20 times a year in America. Most of them don’t get that level of coverage.

    Every year huh? other than Katrina when was the last time there was flooding of that magnitude?

    BSI:

    2006 Mid-Atlantic United States Flood
    2007 Midwest Flooding
    2008 Iowa Flooding
    2009 Red River flood
    2010 Nashville Flood

    Best line I’ve heard or read (so far) about yesterday’s NFL Openers is from Jim Souhan, Minneapolis StarTribune…

    “In the second half of his debut, McNabb had fewer passing yards than there are Kardashian sisters.”

    I don’t see what’s wrong with showing your patriotism, especially in memoriam of a day in which our country was tested yet still did not give in. It shows this country’s strength and unity which is what makes this the best country in the world. I do agree that logos should not have been on the equipment, but seeing the Reebok logo on the cleats and gloves did not make me want to buy anything from Reebok. In fact, I didn’t even notice that it was Reebok until it was pointed out in this blog (since you couldn’t see it on TV).

    It is unfortunate that some people think that it is wrong to be patriotic, or think that there is a “right way” to be patriotic and sad that others will agree with them.

    I’m with you. If I was a player, I’d want to do something to mark the occasion. I’m not a flashy guy so I’d probably go with some type of a red/white/blue gear to attach to my uniform in the form of a ribbon. Others like these gloves or shoes but as long as they mean what they put on, it’s good enough. I know the corporate logos are on them but they are the ones who manufactured the shoes in the first place anyway. Be a nice gesture if they removed their logo but I’m not howling over it though.

    I’m not sure if nobody is talking about this because it was covered very well last weekend but the Mets were denied the request to wear first responder hats due to precedence (Nats weren’t allowed to wear the Navy SEALS hats during the game). Good for MLB to do this.

    If I was a player, I’d want to do something to mark the occasion.

    And you’d already be doing so, because all NFL players wore a ribbon, all MLB players wore two flag patches, etc.

    But apparently some folks need to play “Look at me!,” just to get a little extra attention.

    So you’re saying that EVERY single one of the players who wears these gloves or shoes has a “Look at me!” attitude? I’m with you that some do it for the attention and for the extra self-promotion but I don’t think it’s fair to make a sweeping statement that applies to everybody in the sporting industry.

    Well, they certainly weren’t saying, “Look somewhere else.” The fireworks gear was designed to be flashy, to attract attention.

    I’ve yet to hear a single argument as to why the ribbons and patches weren’t sufficient. From now on, if a player thinks a memorial patch or other uniform element isn’t enough, I guess he should just add as much additional flair as he wants, right? Hey, why not….

    All this for a day that is (a) not a holiday, and (b) about remembering the dead. All you people who are on board for this, I’d love to see how you dress for a wake…

    It’s not a patriotic moment.
    We got the shit kicked out of us on 9/11/01.
    What we honor and remember are those who died and those who, having nothing to with patriotism but rather more concern for others than themselves, rushed in to help.

    That’s bravery and self-sacrifce. Neither are character traits exclusive to Americans, and we shouldn’t be so arrogant as to act as if believe they are.

    I wouldn’t put a sporting event on the same pedestal as a wake. If you look at pictures of families of a victim at the 9/11 memorial in NYC, they’re carrying pictures of their loved ones who perished in the attacks. They’ve got their pictures printed on their tee shirts. I’m not saying it’s something to be encouraged- I wouldn’t do that myself but that’s how some people express their feelings for their loved ones in the public. Are they egoistic as well?

    Even though I have no family or friends who are directly involved in 9/11, I still feel for them. If I was an athlete, I’d express that with the ribbon. That’d be good enough for myself but for others, maybe they want to show more recognition. That’s where the gloves and shoes come in. You’re right, some do it to garner attention but I sincerely believe/hope that some do it simply because they want to honor the dead.

    Ricko, I think it’s OK to take these adjectives to describe our own countrymen. If we say that ONLY the Americans are brave and understand the concept of self-sacrifice, then that’d be egregious. The French are perfectly free to describe themselves with these adjectives as well.

    Still waiting to hear why the ribbons/pins/patches/etc. were insufficient. A nice, dignified (if somewhat clichéd) display, shared by everyone, equally.

    Until someone had to say, “Hey, I can one-up that.” Nice.

    And I’m saying that saying, “We’re wonderful” to put a positive spin on a day in history when you got walloped shows an inability to accept that…well, you just got walloped that day.

    Evidently such things are tough for the Participation Trophy generation to deal with, that’s all.

    I think we’re both focused on two different things- I’m thinking of the inward expression leading to the outward display while you’re thinking that a single, simple gesture is the consummation display of the inward expression of every single athlete. Each person is different.

    Ricko- good idea. Let’s hope that next year on 9/11, TSA will suspend all airport screenings to mark the occasion of how terrible we were at preventing the hijacking. Maybe blow up another building to remind ourselves that we got walloped. Brilliant.

    “Even though I have no family or friends who are directly involved in 9/11”

    ~~~

    i did

    the excess of the shoes and gloves served NO PURPOSE other than as a “LOOK AT ME” gesture

    i didn’t have a problem with the ribbon on the uni…even the ribbons all over the place, because at least it was league-wide — a bit excessive imho, but fine…the NFL really cares

    there was no need for the players to wear anything other than their normal gear

    period

    I’m thinking of the inward expression leading to the outward display

    And what if a player is feeling “expressive” (or “patriotic”) next week? Should he keep wearing the fireworks shoes/gloves? If not, why not? Are all the usual rules suspended on 9/11 because it’s such a glorious day?

    Hint: It’s not a glorious day. It’s a sad day.

    I agree 9/11 isn’t a glorious day. Wearing the colors of our country doesn’t necessarily mean “Hey! Go America! We are amazing and we love our freedom!” That’s how most people celebrate the Fourth. I support the idea of wearing our colors in the solemn acknowledgement that the day united the country and brought us closer to each other. It certainly is a sad day.

    Having said that, I think athletes should be given a bit leeway with their support on 9-11. So in your words, yes, the usual rules should be suspended to an extent. The gloves and shoes were pushing it but I still think they’re acceptable. As I’ve said before, some people use it to promote themselves but there certainly are some who use it to simply acknowledge the event. I do think that next week, we should get back to our usual programming.

    I’m not that worried- before long September 11th will become another December 7th.

    Fred:

    The issue here is similar to the issue with the Confederate Flag. I argued something similar to what you’re saying, but after a spirited debate I pretty much came around to an opinion which applies here:

    The stars and stripes symbolize positive, celebratory things. You can’t just claim it symbolizes something else when you know it doesn’t in the minds of the sheer majority of people.

    Stars and stripes on the 4th? Sure (though I disagree with it as a uni element, but that’s another argument). Stars and stripes on the anniversary of a mass murder? No.

    Fred, what exactly did I say that had anything to do with your response about suspending security? I never said pretend it didn’t happen. Or celebrate a screw up. Quite the opposite. All I said was accept the reality of what it was: a dark day. Don’t have to turn it into a John Phillip Sousa festival in order to live with it. Or do we?

    Jesus, talk about putting words in someone’s mouth.

    You’ve got a point there Christopher. However I can think of numerous occasions where the flag has been used to honor a mournful event. On a coffin of a fallen warrior, flag hanging half-mast. The stars and stripes can be seen as something to mark a black day in America’s history. But you’re right, the firework display employed by athletes can be seen as garish by some. It is pushing it for me but in my own opinion, it’s fine. Nobody has to agree on this- I prefer to see the gloves/shoes as something done by someone who means well by using America’s colors to mark the event. But again, I know people use this to advertise themselves, which is sickening.

    Ricko- I’m not sure exactly what you mean by “accepting the reality of what it was.” What do we do to accept the reality of it?

    Do some of these players who sport American flag shoes and accessories actually think that without them reminding us that we won’t know it’s 9/11?

    I think the American flag belongs on flagpoles at schools and government buildings, on display at important events, and on the caskets of servicemen when they die…anything else is just showing off. If the flag is sacred then it shouldn’t be cheapened.

    “I think athletes should be given a bit leeway with their support on 9-11”

    ~~~

    like, say…perhaps some of these most finely tuned athletes, in the best shape of their lives, say… enlisting (like Pat Tillman)?

    you wanna say “I’m a fuckin’ soldier” and wear sparkly shoes or “combat” uniforms? how about put on a real fuckin’ combat uniform, if you love america so much?

    that’s the problem with society today — 9/11 isn’t about supporting the troops or wearing the rwb (or waving a flag) — it’s a solemn day of remembrance for the incredible losses the world, the US, new york, washington and PA, and wherever anyone in the towers, the pentagon or the planes was from…

    you wanna celebrate the USA? that’s what the fourth of july is for

    just like memorial day isn’t about backyard bbq’s and brews…it’s a day we remember the fallen from our wars

    9/11 is about remembering the fallen on that date

    any athlete who has to go above and beyond the simple and appropriate flag on his lapel is simply saying “LOOK AT ME”

    period

    We learn to live with it. Bad stuff happens. It needn’t by a mass special occasion other than, perhaps, after this year observing a moment of silence before games that happen to actually fall on September 11, as they did yesterday.

    Eventually, though, it simply will become a bad day we all remember. Very, very much like December 7 or November 22. Personal note: I was working in D.C. on the 20th anniversary of JFK’s assassination. Went up to Arlington that day about 10:30 a.m. Figured there’d be lots of folks around. Not so. Pretty much had the gravesite to myself, so I just sat on the grass and thought about quickly those 20 years had gone by.

    As horrendous as some things are, eventually we just put them in their proper place as part of our shared life experiences. Why? Because we start to realize there’ll probably be more before we’re done.

    Ricko, I agree that it will eventually become another day but personally, it’s going to take awhile for me to get over the magnitude of 9/11. I remember it as if it was yesterday and I’m still touched by how terrible it was. I’m a sensitive person and I can appreciate its moment in history but you’re right, it’ll become one of these awful chapters in America’s history that we’ll look back on and simply shake our heads at.

    This is why I’m ok with some athletes flashing a bit more color than usual at this point in time. Some of them mean well and I can appreciate their gesture even if it is stamped all over by company logos.

    I can see where you’re coming from and I apologize for putting words in your mouth.

    Ricko, I don’t understand how people who were there at the crashes or who lost loved ones can deal with any of the hoopla surrounding the anniversary of the event other than the most solemn of commemorations.

    We got wiped out by Hurrican Katrina and every year on the anniversary of the storm I am asked to speak at a commemorative event. Man, it’s tough…and it doesn’t get easier, either.

    I didn’t lose anyone in 9/11 but I was leaving the city just as the first plane was hitting. I lost contact with a loved one who although was safe was so emotionally traumatized by the event that I was going back and forth to NYC for months afterwards, and I better understood the psychic trauma that everyone there had experienced. I knew people who did lose friends and loved ones.

    Just like Katrina, I think 9/11 is something we should never forget. But, at least in my opinion, any commemoration should be solemn. IMO stars and stripes hats, shoes and gloves at sporting events just trivilaizes it.

    there’s nothing wrong with it, but a pair of stars & stripes Zubaz is not an instant patriotism kit.

    take this for what it’s worth, but Steven Van Zandt had an link nearly 30 years ago.

    “It shows this country’s strength and unity which is what makes this the best country in the world.”

    A Canadian might be inclined to differ.

    By way of explanation, said Canadian might think that the country he is living in is the best in the world. Of course, the difference of opinion would likely never be resolved, because there exists no objective measure.

    Aren’t Cam Newtons practice pants the same kind the wore in the pro bowl last year? The kind that goes past the knee.

    I don’t have a problem with players honoring/remembering/whateverthey’redoing with the “gaudy” gloves or shoes. Having corporate logos all over them? When they could easily remove or hide them inside for this one occasion? Yeah, that’s annoying. But what’s really annoying is MLB not allowing the Mets to wear the FDNY (and other) caps for this ONE game that means nothing in the pennant race but everything to New Yorkers. No wonder MLB is bleeding fans at record numbers.

    Actually, um, MLB attendance is slightly up this year, relative to last year:
    link

    Not disagreeing (or agreeing) with you re: the Mets thing. But don’t try to bolster your arguments with assertions that have no basis in fact.

    Well, we can both smirk at those MLB-supplied stats. If you’re using MLB’s tickets sold numbers, we both know those aren’t true indicators of how many humans showed up. The nightly “official” attendance gets a hearty laugh from us in the Dodger Stadium press box because they always include the 21,000 season tickets already sold. And some days there hasn’t been half that many. I love the game–always will, especially when guys get the stirrups and sanis right–but it’s lost HALF its All-Star audience (with no other sporting event to compete with it) in less than 20 years with two record lows this year & last.

    link

    The World Series has gone from a 39 share in ’91 to a 14–and a record low–in 2010. Looks like bleeding to me:

    link

    Then there’s this about the overall attendance for 2011 from Forbes:

    link

    Having LA, your Mets and even St Louis drag down attendance is worse for the game than it going up in Pitt or Arizona (and barely there).

    My point about the caps was that MLB overthinks & goes against common sense yet again. Why? Because they cut a deal with New Era, is my guess. NFL, not so hard-ass. Maybe fans identify more with NFL for a number of reasons, and that’s one of many. Rightly or wrongly.

    They didn’t allow them to wear the caps because, unlike most “slippery slope” arguments, said argument has proven to apply to athletes and their “tributes” and non-uniform uniforms. Good on MLB.

    We get it, an isolated group of first responders gave/risked their lives on 9/11/01. Just like first responders around the country are doing this very second.

    If you read the Keith Olberman piece on the Mets/FDNY hats yesterday, his take on why no FDNY hats is that MLB.com is selling the Mets hat (Black, blue visor, flag) on their website for $37 and the website says “the same hats as worn on field on 9/11/11.” That seems to make the most sense to me as to why the first responder caps were not allowed.

    Fair enough. Lets just say both ideas are stupid for different reasons.

    And Keith is still a blowhard- even when I agree with him, he grates me to no end.

    I’m surprised nobody mentioned this yet, but Outmania may have hit a snag for Paul yesterday, as Josh Outman decided to put American flag stickers or patches on his stirrups yesterday versus the Rangers.

    link

    So Jacksonville wore white at home, eh? I clearly remember when they came out with their new uniforms a couple of years back that owner Wayne Weaver wanted the team to have a firm identity and only wanted green jerseys at home, especially after the BFBS jerseys threw their identity into a quagmire. I guess that lasted two years.

    Unfortunately no screen grab, but Rex Grossman’s “R” logo on his nose bumper was on backwards yesterday.

    I’m not stupid enough to wade full-on into the tribute debate as I’m in the UK. Personally, it does seem a tad overdone, but I can understand given the scale of the event and the “milestone” anniversary why it’s such a big deal.

    If I’m honest, and I mean absolutely no disrespect here, my first thoughts watching the early games was “this is going to look like shit when we watch those NFL Films packages in 20 years”.

    Although that sentiment also applies to pink month. It’s amazing when you think about it, we wear more and paint more stuff pink, yet breast cancer STILL insists on being around. Pretty sure I’m “aware” of it by now, too.

    Exactly. And lets say I did commit the almighty sin of forgetting about Breast Cancer. Would that actually increase cancer? Is my constantly remembering it scaring enough cancer cells to save lives?

    A reminder to all Americans: always remember: don’t forget not to forget

    “always remember: don’t forget not to forget”

    Wasn’t that the flip side of Elvis’s “Mystery Train”?

    One of the Giants’ offensive lineman had wider pants stripes than the rest of the team. I didn’t bother to get a screen grab, because I thought for sure someone here would’ve seen it.

    Sorry.

    Its the unfortunate stretchy fabric they use for their pants. The stripes are made out of the same stuff and stretch and bend and look horrible.

    If the NFL is forcing all teams to wear captaincy patches, we’ll receive a confirmation tonight, as the Patriots have never worn captaincy patches.

    Haven’t seen this posted yet, but according to Yahoo’s Dmitry Chesnokov, the entire KHL will be wearing this link, in light of the recent news that the only surviving player from the crash, Alexander Galimov, died to his injuries.

    “Can we change the St. Louis Rams to the monoRams when they break outban this crap?”

    Fixed.

    I wear a size 8 cap so a lot of the any size fits all or caps that are sized from S to XL don’t fit. For a lot of teams this means a New Era hat but unless we’re talking MLB that comes with an annoying NE logo on the side. I just got a Florida Gators hat with this problem and decided to correct it myself. I went online and Googled “remove embroidery” and this was the first hit (link). They claim it’s not a glorified hair or beard trimmer but I decided to ignore the warnings and try my Wahl without a guard. It worked like a freaking charm.

    I didn’t know the Bills’ helmet stripe tapered off towards the front. Kinda cool considering it mimics the red line on the buffalo helmet logo, which gets thinner near the front of the helmet.

    The tapered helmet stripe appears to be the only “modern” feature on an otherwise throwback uniform…and I love’em. What does it for me are the white, striped leggings, which scream “old school NFL”.

    A few NFL and AFL teams used to wear white leggings with stripes. For example, try to find some pictures of the Green Bay Packers around the mid to late fifties when they first adopted the original iteration of their present uniform. One year they wore white, striped leggings with their white jerseys…very cool.

    I can live with the Bills’ tapered helmet stripe. Overall, it’s a cool uniform.

    First year of the AFL, for example. Only the New York Titans and Los Angeles Chargers wore dark socks both home and road in 1960. The other six had white road socks.

    anyone notice in the article about UW’s white helmets that Sarkisian got the idea from the S&S caps the MLB wears?

    I’m okay with commemorating important events but I am perplexed why professional or college teams purposely make their uniforms look so ugly by adopting stars and stripes logos which, unless the team’s colors are red, white and blue, clash with the team’s colors as well as distort the the team’s logo.

    Hang banners in the stadium; have a fly over during the national anthem (as LSU did Saturday night); have a halftime performance dedicated to the event; there are many creative ways to commemorate an important event and to honor those who sacrificed; but why mess with a team’s uniforms? I just don’t get it…

    “why mess with a team’s uniforms? I just don’t get it”

    ~~~

    sounds like someone needs to take out a membership

    then you can say “Pierre Gets Itâ„¢”

    Paul, I love your site but I just have to disagree with the tone taken lately. You’re telling us what 9/11 is “about” and what kind of day it is. Of course it was a sad day, but I also see 9/11 as a time when we really came together as a country. I think Americans should be allowed to be happy and hopeful…even if we don’t agree with that sentiment.

    It’s the same thing with issues like the length of baseball pants. I just finished playing college ball and, yes, almost everyone wears baggy pants. I wore stirrups, naturally. Even though I love the old look, I can’t condemn the guys who wear the pajama pants. Frankly, they’re more comfortable on double-header days.

    I guess I just take offense when you tell us how to feel. You might have a “right” way to remember 9/11 and a “right” way to wear a uni…but do we all have to agree?

    “I also see 9/11 as a time when we really came together as a country…”

    No doubt. But it hasn’t endured. We are as polarized now as any time I can recall since the Vietnam War. Politicans, for example, no long see governing as their primary task, but rather the advancing of their party’s ideology. We get upset if a news anchor wears a blue tie during election coverage if we live in a so-called “red state.” Fans of one team think pulverizing a fan of the opposition is appropriate. We have SO forgotten the “we’re in this boat together” sentiment of 9/12/11.

    So that’s maybe what this weekend was about, trying to get that feeling back again.

    Because it certainly isn’t the reality of things in 2011.

    @Moono: You’re right. I was writing in response to the comments here but I see what you mean.

    @Ricko: Unfortunately, I completely agree. These are strange times…When we’re so separated as a nation I guess people want to use Football as a way to bring us together again. Thanks to reebok, we’re still disagreeing!

    Nobody has to agree with me. Nobody even has to pay any attention to me.

    I’m just writing what I think, responding to what’s around me, processing what I see in a way that makes sense to me. If it doesn’t make sense to you, that’s fine. But here on my web site, I’ll keep saying what makes sense to me. Because that’s pretty much what my web site is for.

    As for the nation “coming together” on 9/12, personally I think that’s a rather pleasant fiction, a fairy tale. Last week’s New Yorker had a really strong piece (not available on the web to non-subscribers, alas) that showed just how divided the country was about the response to the attacks — politically, culturally, etc. — almost from the very first hours.

    I will say this: When traveling, I used to tell people I was from Brooklyn, not from New York, because people tended to have a very anti-NYC attitude, but they somehow thought of Brooklyn as some quaint little town. But after 9/11, I noticed a marked change in how people responded to the very idea of New York. Much more sympathetic. Very interesting, and very nice. I appreciate not having to apologize for where I live. But if it takes some clowns plowing jets into skyscrapers to achieve that, I’m still fucked….

    Yeah, you’re right. I was 12 when it happened, so I guess my perception of it is tinted by what I was thinking as a kid. And I’m sure it’s totally different for New Yorkers.

    I’ve read the site every day since I was in high school, proudly rocked ‘rups in a non-rup age, and my first comment is a knock! I apologize! united we stirrup-wearers stand

    hey zach

    i wasn’t 12 when this happened — i was 35…and my cousin lost her husband (leaving her a widow with a 1 & 3 year old)

    three neighbors (also friends) perished that day as well

    it’s not fun going to funerals — but try going to memorials — why memorials? because THERE WERE NO BODIES…they were incinerated

    so, while i appreciate your sentiments at the ripe age of 22…please do not ever tell me i don’t have a right to tell anyone how i feel about 9/11

    this was both a personal and national tragedy…and these LOOK AT ME actions serve only to sicken me

    you want to wear those cleats on any other day, i’ll give you shit because they look ridiculous…but to wear them on 9/11?

    why don’t you just take off those fucking stars and stripes gloves and slap me in the face with them, because that’s what that shit felt like

    sorry to take this out on you — there’s a whole mess of posters who share you sentiments…you were just the closest

    /no hard feelings…i really just need to vent a bit

    seriously? you changed his words. he never said anybody doesn’t have a right to tell people how THEY feel. he said nobody has a right to tell poeple how TO feel. but frankly, you guys don’t usually take kindly to being disagreed with, no matter what. you hardly need a national tragedy to get all preachy and holier-than-thou…

    give me a fucking break you pompous ass. if you wanna tell someone to go eff themselves because they’re 22 and you don’t think they have the right to speak to you, then at least have the spine to come out and say it straight.

    Any word what happens to 6 year captains next year? it would appear the patch if full. maybe start making the stars white again from left to right (which would give us 9 distinct patches before going back to all white)?

    Normally “All My Rowdy Friends” is decent, but this year’s version is just weird… and not in a particularly good way. At least it “MAKES FUCKING SENSE”, unlike Faith Hill’s butchered version of “I Hate Myself (For Loving You)”.

    Technically, that’s Pink’s butchered version of “I Hate Myself” covered by Faith Hill. She didn’t start doing the theme song until at least the third season.

    Let’s just get rid of the Patriots. I hate this USA – America crap. You want to celebrate America, go somewhere else. It’s not welcomed here!

    From the Nike Football Facebook page:

    “Oregon, Boise State and Georgia were just the beginning. Check out all the remaining Nike Pro Combat uniforms, right here, tomorrow at 9 am EST.”

    This should be fun…

    How about “beyond ridiculous”?
    Those big horsies live a few miles from me, and they don’t give a shit.

    Is there any truth to the rumor that the NFL will allow players to wear red and green shoes at Christmas time to commemorate the birth of baby Jesus?

    Knock knock!

    Who’s there?

    9-11!

    9-11 who?

    Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten!

    /old chestnut

    Hey, i’ve a question. The Dolphins field tonight doesn’t have the usual NFL big wide white, sideline stripe. Is that usual or is that somehow related to the fact that the marlins still need to use that grass?

    zanybody know?

    thanks

    adam

    In the end does it really matter in any way? I watched 4 games yesterday, and while the ribbons were noticeable, it was very hard to see the flag gloves or shoes. In this situation it’s best to just look at intent. Reebok wasn’t selling these things to make money for themselves, nor were the players trying to selfishly gain anything from it. It was simply meant as a nice gesture. Sure it may have been over done, but it was not hurting any one. To belittle it is not necessary at all. If you disagree with how it was done that is fine, but to go around saying things like “Don’t forget to never forget” is just flat out rude. Just because you don’t agree with how other people honor a tragedy does not mean you have to bring them down.

    Ask yourself, why would Reebock create and distribute shoes it had to have known (as a league supplier) were against league policy if NOT as an attention-getting device?

    Are we all really so naive we can’t see how obvious their intent was?

    But you’re right, they didn’t show up all that much. Hmmm..come to think of it, that’s makes the advance publicity even more important, doesn’t it.

    What I’m saying is that Reebok obviously manipulated the situation to their advantage. Can’t be much doubt about that.

    This may have showed up here already – the blog I found it on posted it in August – but here’s a link with some fascinating pictures of the House of David baseball team: link (The other stuff on the blog is pretty great, too!)

    Probably late to this party, but 9/11 bothers me because it’s become a propaganda tool for American xenophobia, rather than as simply trying to memorialize the loss of lives that day. It shouldn’t be about saying “America, F yeah!” but instead it should be about quietly observing the tragedy. All this flag stuff is superficial and does nothing to demonstrate patriotism.

    Also, I hate how they somehow bring the military into it with tributes and such, when there are nothing dealing with the military that day. Keep the military stuff to Vets and Memorial Day, those are plenty.

    Not a well composed rant, but just a few thoughts

    Phil, I thought it was a very composed rant…or at least I agreed with what you said.

    Most of the people who died on 9/11, innocent victims of insane religious zealotry, simply had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then there were the responders, firemen and policemen, who died bravely trying to save lives. All should be remembered…solemnly.

    Going after AlQaeda in Afghanistan was a no brainer. But, in my view, 9/11 was used as a flimsy excuse for the foolish invasion of Iraq. And it offends me that, in that sense, 9/11 was been used to drum up military support for a war of dubious necessity. And I think what we are seeing, the militarization of some of these commemorizations, is a lingering after effect of that.

    Don’t you mean twice a year… or do we keep KC in white on the road?

    Personally I’d say orange vs white in Denver, blue vs red in KC. Or give KC a yellow alt, of course.

    no…kc wears white on the road, like god intended

    but if the only way for the broncs to wear that beautiful orange is for kc to wear red at home, then so be it

    16 games a season…16 games in orange

    Paul,

    Just FYI, 9/11 actually IS a federal holiday. It’s called Patriot Day and was approved by Congress in 2002 by a vote of 407-0 in the House and 100-0 in the Senate, and signed into law by Bush.

    Just thought that was a correction worth noting.

    As a Raiders fan who’s still bitter over the tuck rule game… I say Fuck Patriot day. New England sucks.

    Leave it to Budweiser to find a way to exploit 9/11 through Clydesdales. I don’t drink Bud nor Bud Light nor Bud Lime or whatever the hell they are brewing these days and watching fricking horses be exploited ensures I never will. Shame on the networks for allowing them run this “horse bleep”…

    Jets have definitely worn captaincy patches before: link

    I think they’ve rotated captains on a weekly basis though the past two seasons and didn’t wear the stupid C patch. Rex made a big deal about giving Revis and Sanchez jerseys with the C this summer making them “official” captains.

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