What you see above is 49ers QB Steve DeBerg getting wired up with a speaker for a game in 1980. Deberg had been stricken with laryngitis, so the San Francisco staff wired a little microphone to his facemask and connected it to rig on his back so his teammates could hear him calling signals.
I first mentioned the DeBerg situation in the Ticker last week but didn’t have any photos or other substantiation. Now a bunch of readers have come forward with a flood of good material. In addition to the photo shown above, check out this shot of DeBerg bending over, which gives a good sense of just how much gear was strapped to his back:
Can you imagine? Like, what if he got hit from behind, or just landed on his back? Jeez. As for the microphone that was connected to all this gear, there’s a pretty good shot of it in this football card:
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But the money shot is here in this video clip — skip ahead to the 2:27 mark to see DeBerg talking about his unusual set-up:
The funny thing is that I’m a Niners fan who grew up on Long Island, and DeBerg first wore the amplification gear during a game against the Jets, which means I would’ve been able to watch that game. I was always desperate for any chance to see the Niners in those days, so I must have watched it. But I have no memory of this episode.
Epilogue: Three years later, while playing for the Broncos, DeBerg was struck again by vocal problems, so they contacted the Niners and had his old rig sent over:
.
Now we just need to find images of DeBerg wearing all this gear while playing for Denver.
(Big thanks to Jay Braiman, Dan Clark, Douglas Ford, and Eric van der Burght for their contributions to this entry.)
Collector’s Corner
By Brinke Guthrie
Last week I mentioned those 1960s Technigraph plaques. Sadly, haven’t turned up any info on them. I even wrote to the Technigraph company — at least the one I could find online — but no response. Might not even be the same place. But I did find another great plaque: a Browns version with the phantom CB logo!
In non-Technigraph finds:
• Outstanding 1960s Philadelphia Eagles painting by Dave Boss. More Boss artwork here.
• Here’s a nifty 1970s Wilson NBA basketball lamp.
• You could have listened to Bart Starr on this 1968 Packers Action Radio (with David Boss artwork on the box!). Worth buying for the name alone, if you ask me.
• Ah, here’s a game-worn Rams jersey complete with a pink captaincy patch.
• There’s a different take on the Baltimore Orioles logo on this 1950s O’s pin.
• I like this excellent-looking 1960s Expos bobblehead.
• Paul came up with this set of five old baseball-themed pocketknives.
Seen something on eBay that you think would make good Collector’s Corner fodder? Send your submissions here, or tweet them here.
Uni Watch News Ticker: The Winter Classic jerseys have supposedly been confirmed, although I’m also hearing some chatter that those aren’t the real designs after all. Whatever — it’s one freakin’ game, and neither team has a good historical design to use, so almost anything they choose is going to be a disappointing compromise on some level. We’ll find out what the jerseys really are when they officially unveil them. ”¦ And while we wait for that, we can check out something more enjoyable: NHL logos made out of food! Total fucking genius (big thanks, Brinke). ”¦ College football detail that the rest of us missed: Tulsa changed its red helmet stripes to pink on Saturday (from Matt Spencer). … And Art Kerdmanee has spotted an in-season uni adjustment for UCLA: The Bruins’ NOB lettering had been white this season, but now it’s gone back to gold, like it had been in previous years. “This change happened between the Texas and Washington State home games,” says Art. ”¦ As you may have heard, an upstate New York high school football player named Ridge Barden recently died. The other team on the field that day, Homer High School, is wearing Barden’s school’s colors as a memorial tribute (from Jude S.). … Bruce Menard sent along the amazing cover from the 1948 NFL championship game program. Look at those team mascot caricatures! “When I first saw the patriot character, I thought ‘Isn’t that too early for the Boston Patriots?'” says Bruce. “Then I checked and found that the NFL had a team called the Boston Yanks back in 1948.” … Also from Bruce: the press pin from that same game. … Did you know that the Niners have an assistant coach who likes to expose his chest hair? The whole world’s gonna know now (thanks, Brinke). … Did you know NFL Films had a blog? They do, and their most recent entry is about uniforms. … What’s that just below Chelsea’s collar? Explanation here (from Joe Hollomon). … College Hockey Inc. is holding a fan vote to determine college hockey’s best goalie mask. … Nike engaged in a big of chest-thumping yesterday. “Flat-out irritating,” says Ryan Hess. ”¦ Joseph Gerard was talking with some guys at the Steelers Sideline Store, and they told him a bunch of stuff: (a) The Steelers will probably wear their throwbacks against the Ravens in Week 9. (b) The throwbacks will not be worn next season. (c) The throwbacks will be replaced next season by a new throwback uni — the 1930s design one that was worn in 1994. None of this is confirmed, so take it with a grain of whatever. Personally, I’m rooting for a return to the Batman uni, but Joseph says he asked about that and was told it ain’t gonna happen. ”¦ As you’ve probably heard, a 100-year-old man basically made the rest of us look like lazy-ass saps by running a marathon in Toronto the other day. What you might not have known was that he had a custom Maple Leafs jersey made up for the occasion (from Zac Neubauer). ”¦ Jonathan Quick of the Kings is the latest NHL goalie to be wearing solid black socks instead of his team’s regular socks. We’ve seen this before on other goalies, but John Livewell suggests a reason for it that I hadn ‘t thought of before: “I assume that’s so nobody can see the puck in case it gets lost under him.” Interesting theory — can anyone confirm or refute? ”¦ “In a recent Funny or Die spoof, celebrities are stuck in a room brainstorming ideas for Bill Clinton’s foundation,” writes Adam Yarnevich. “Matt Damon’s idea is to start an office softball team. He even did a quick uniform sketch.” … Moon over Foxboro! That’s Dez Bryant, from Sunday’s Cowboys/Pats game (from Villaroman Santos). ”¦ Junior Hemingway of Michigan had a chipped helmet decal on Saturday (screen shot by Carter Hempstead). ”¦ Oh, this is pure gold: In 1966 the NFL and Birdseye published a “Ladies’ Guide to Football.” Mike Hersh recently got his hands on a copy and has posted the entire thing (click on the thumbnails to see larger versions). ”¦ Lucas Devoe is compiling a uniform history of Quinnipiac University hockey. ”¦ Let’s hear it for Zack Belsky, whose Jose Valverde jack-o-lantern is likely to go down as one of the best pumpkin designs of the year. Here are some previous pumpkin carvings he’s done. ”¦ Peter King theorizes that Harbaugh and Schwartz wouldn’t have behaved like 12-year-olds the other day if they were wearing suits. ”¦ Wanna see something odd? Watch this play from 1987 and look at the end zone. The end zone itself is blank, and the Pats logo is printed outside the end zone. Weird! (Good spot by Andrew McKillop.) ”¦ Remember how I covered the Puppy Bowl’s kitten-themed halftime show last winter? I’m doing it again this season, and the taping is this morning, so I’ll be off checking that out for a few hours today. Kittens!
(c) The throwbacks will be replaced next season by a new throwback uni – the 1930s design one that was worn in 1994.
For the love of Thor, WHY? Hey, Pittsburgh! Newsflash – both those uniforms and the team of the era SUCKED – the ’33 Pittsburgh Pirates were 3-6-2. Why on Earth would you want to throwback to that now? In ’94 it made sense, because it was the team’s first uniform. Now? That’s just stupid.
It’s possibly the most visually-interesting of all their sets. I’d guess it will sell really well too, which is a likelier motivator. Perhaps they read the NFL blog item about bright colors being better suited to current televisions.
Did it sell in ’94? I don’t recall anyone liking it back then. Granted, I’m not exactly surrounded by Steelers fans, but all I remember was people talking about how ugly it was.
They’re the Steelers. Six Rings(tm) and all that crap… they shouldn’t even need a throwback/alternate uniform to sell jerseys.
The Steelers 1933 “Friction Strip” Throwback jersey (worn in 1994) is the single most sought-after, most desired and most expensive jersey when offered for auction on EBAY. I have been purchasing and watching sales on EBAY from the beginning, and these jerseys are simply No. 1. in sales prices when offerred.An authentic, store bought version will go for $600.00-$800.00. Rarely are they offered. A few gamers have been offered and they go for upwards of $1,000.00. Cheapy screened on versions sold at J.C. Penney often go upwards of $200.00.
Why. They are unique, they are rare (not many authentics were made for sale) and they stand out. Even more rare, but less expensive, are the Bears’ 1925 versions also worn in 1994. There were no authentics made for store sale, and cheapy screened on versions sold at J.C. Penney also often go upwards of $200.00 on Ebay.
Love em or hate em, they are wanted. I like the “Friction Strip” jerseys, I say Why not?
By the way, if you go to the Steelers’ website they sell authentic Black Steelers “Batman” jerseys, and I believe that they will customize by number and NOB.
Well, collectors are collectors.
I guess the question is would they be sought after if they weren’t rare? My gut tells me no. If those things were readily available, I don’t think there’d be that much demand.
Also, What’s wrong with a Yellow/Athletic Gold jersey once in awhile in the NFL? Why not?
Nothing’s wrong with a yellow jersey in the NFL. The Steelers should do that instead of the stupid throwback.
NickV, the Packers’ throwbacks from 1994 go for even more than that. I’ve seen gamers fetch $2000 for a relatively no-name player.
@ NickV – Yeah, the Steelers have been selling the black Batman jerseys for a few years now. You have to get a current player or have it personally customized, though. Personally I’d like to get Dick Hoak or Andy Russell–the only two players on the team that got to wear the Batman uniforms that went on to do significant work for the Super Bowl-era teams. Ray Mansfield wouldn’t hurt, either, although Mike Webster had taken over by the time the dynasty started he did start the current line of excellent centers dating back to Mansfield’s arrival in 1964–Sean Mahan & Justin Hartwig aside. The Steelers current unis replaced the Batman unis in 1968, then Chuck Noll took over the following year and gutted the roster. Hoak, Russell, and Mansfield were among the few veterans he kept, with Russell and Mansfield each lasting until ’76. Hoak only played another season but became the team’s running backs coach in ’72 and retired when Bill Cowher left.
As far as the information on the uniforms, the Steelers Sideline Stores are directly owned & operated by the team. About the only way I could do better is to contact the team directly. I’m pretty sure the Rooney’s have more important things to do than talk about potential uniforms. Personally I’m OK with the current throwbacks being retired after this season, but I think the team needs to go back to two uniform sets, and BLOCK NUMBERS. If there’s any team in the NFL that needs to have just two uniform sets like the New York Yankees & New Jersey Devils, it’s the Steelers.
If, in fact, the Steelers go with that 30s era design, they will only sell about a billion of them.
Personally, I like the one that came after. Black and gold horizontal stripes on the body and sleeves. The numerals were black, then sewn onto gold rectangles, which were applied to the jersey.
I do like the current throwbacks, which very been popular, and are in their fifth year. Since the Steelers have worn a variety of uniforms over the years, I don’t have a problem with bringing back the 1933/1994 look. My only concern would be the helmet, which was just a plain black one. Visually, it would be more appealing, if the Steelers took creative license and placed the city flag logo on a black helmet.
Doesn’t bother me at all the Steelers were mostly bad during this era, I’ve always felt a good uniform can get a bad rap just because the team plays poorly. For example, I liked the Giants uniform with the blue pants, wide red/white striping and St. Louis Cardinal style striping on the sleeves.
Just monitor how popular the Acme Packers throwbacks are….that’s all the answer you need! I love the current throwback with yellow helmet, white pants and unique sock, but it’s time for a refresher.
Andy, are you talking about this one: twitpic.com/7278s7
For sure.
As a lifelong Steelers fan, I would be thrilled to finally have a chance to grab one of those 1994 throwbacks. I was shit-poor in ’94, and passed on buying a Greg Lloyd (I think) jersey the one time I saw it for sale cause I had a hard enough time paying my rent.
I don’t think there’s anything at all wrong with teams with uniforms as iconic as Pittsburgh’s doing something different every once in a while. I wouldn’t want them to permanently change their look ever ever EVER, but being able to sport an alternate look now and then is a nice change of pace. Same reason I like the Penguins’ blues.
Guess I’m the only UW’er who likes the current number font.
Hope this doesn’t mean I’ll be pummelled by a fellow UW’er in the near future.
You are not alone, Timmy. I’ve always kinda liked the current number font as well.
I’m used to the newer Steelers number font, save for one exception….I think it looks awful on 96. Look at Ziggy Hood’s jersey, just doesn’t look right.
Newsflash for The Jeff: Every uniform that predates the current Steelers look with the block numbers represents teams that sucked.
I never saw authentics on sale in ’94 (they’re goofy-looking enough that I’d have seriously considered buying one), and the replicas I occasionally saw weren’t very good.
I’m OK with the current numbers. Both they and the block numbers are sufficiently readable from the stands, and that’s what’s important to me.
Regarding Steve DeBerg, in how many games did he wear the speakers. The caption of the first photo says he’s being rigged for a game. But in the photo he’s wearing a red jersey, while in the other game photos he’s wearing a white jersey. Practice, maybe…?
Also, why do you suppose DeBerg’s helmet logo has been airbrushed out in the Topps football card?
Because Topps didn’t have proper NFL rights. They could use player names and team names, but no logos. Topps cards were like that for years. I’m not sure exactly when it started (late 60’s/early 70’s), but it didn’t end until ’82. That’s the whole reason the “’76 Seahawks blank helmet” shit exists.
Quote The Jeff: “That’s the whole reason the “’76 Seahawks blank helmet” shit exists.”
Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
There have been other amplification systems — I think it was somewhere around 1990 or 1991 when it was tried in the NFL preseason to overcome crowd noise. There would be speakers along the sidelines that would only come on the last 10 seconds of the play clock. The “hut”s that I heard during those preseason games were like thunderbolts.
Best part of that clip was seeing Atlanta in red helmets and jerseys — that’s the only uniform they should be wearing. The black helmet looks like shite; red helmet with black jersey “throwback” looks lousy, too.
“red helmet with black jersey “throwback” looks lousy, too.”
False.
not just false
wrong
Yes, wrong. It’s a fine look. It’s the look that UGa. should adopt when not wearing its red jerseys, instead of going with that riddiculous all-red getup they wore at the start of the year.
As an UGA alum, I completely agree with Geeman.
The black jersey we sported against Auburn, Hawai’i, and Alabama is the ONLY alternate we should ever wear. And, I want to see it once annually. It’s a fantastic look with the silver britches.
Would it be legal for an NFL team to use a microphone like that today? With today’s microelectronics, I imagine you could rig up a speaker system that would be tiny, and not present nearly the obstacle that DeBerg’s backpack/hi-fi did.
Probably as long as it is just amplifying, but if you start putting wireless receivers in the receivers’ helmets, that might be a problem.
I’m kinda surprised they haven’t stuck speakers in all the helmets already. You’ve got the QBs and MLBs getting signals from the sidelines anyway, just add a mic to them and put receivers in the rest of the helmets, and there ya go. You’d just need 2 frequencies per team, I’m sure that’s easily doable now.
if you start putting wireless receivers in the receivers’ helmets, that might be a problem
Why? Seems kind of like a natural extension of the sport now that you mention it. (Plus, this is how a lot of football fans experience the game when playing Madden on a console!) Heck, actual soldiers in actual combat now often use live in-helmet mics & speakers for instant realtime communication with their teammates, and if there’s one thing football is really and truly obsessed with, it’s acting like warriors. Plus, imagine the sponsorship opportunities! How can the NFL resist?
I’m not saying that’s not something they should or should not think about, I just imagine it might be against current rules. One thing would it be one-way “Terrell, break to your left!” or would it be two way? I imagine QBs would tire of hearing, “I’m open!”
Also, if it’s okay to artificially amplify the QB’s voice, why not artificially amplify other things, like a throwing arm? Next thing you know, you’ve got the six million dollar Bionic Man Steve Austin playing QB. First it’s just a temporary fix for laryngitis, then before you know it, it’s a justification for robotics. It’s a slippery slope when you start playing God. Just kidding. (I think.)
I’m pretty sure even the folks who run the NFL could figure out a better way to use helmet mics than just shouting “I’m open!” Probably something more like link. “Voodoo one, Wood’s been hit! We’ve lost Hollywood!” “Launch Maverick on alert five!” “Watch your back, break right!” And then everyone comes back to the sideline and shares manly embraces with Nick Rivers and Nuke Laloosh.
I’m almost positive that the communications between the coaches and players are cut off when there are something like ten seconds left on the play clock.
If they allowed player-to-player communications, those could be cut off when the ball is snapped.
If they allowed player-to-player communications, those could be cut off when the ball is snapped.
Again, and just playing around with the idea here, but why? Why not permit realtime player-to-player wireless talking? Wouldn’t this produce better football in basically every regard? Quarterbacks would have more control over the play, and thus regain some of the “field general” status they’ve been stripped of in the last generation. Formations would be more precisely executed, passing more effective, running adaptations more coordinated, and so on down the line. Everything that a player can do to produce good football, he’d be able to do better with improved communication, right?
Frankly, I don’t see why they cut off the coach/player communications when they do.
Nike’s boast that nine of the top ten BCS schools are Nike colleges makes me wonder if schools get bonus money from Nike the higher they finish. Don’t laugh…it is conceivable. Higher rankings mean more exposure for the school…and for the Nike uniforms they wear. I would love to see Nike’s contracts with some of the major football powers.
Is “a Nike college” even a thing? If so, can I just say that I freakin’ hate the twenty-first century.
The 1948 NFL Championship Game is famous for being played in a raging blizzard. The Eagles won 7-0.
Nothing shows the grit of Pittsburgh than a long-sleeved pressed blue shirt. If that’s a steelworker, I’ll eat my hat.
As for Green Bay — Ray Nitschke would never have had a clean white apron. A meat cleaver, yes.
Saw on NFL Films how Steve Van Buren went through alot just to get to that game to play in it. He regularly rode public transportation to and from Shibe Park, and had to get help from people along the way because not all of the trolleys and busses – I believe he had three (!) connections to get from the house to the stadium – were running during the blizzard.
Another little gem from that 1948 NFL season Wikipedia page (under “Major Rule Changes):
“All officials are equipped with whistles, not horns.”
Horns?
They used to blow a shofar instead of a whistle. It was T’kiyah for the ends of plays and quarters, and T’kiyah G’dolah for the ends of halves.
Shevarim for a touchdown and Teruah for a field goal?
Regarding Quick’s socks, the theory regarding losing the puck in them could be valid. I know that we’ve seen fewer and fewer black pads on goalies over the years for a similar reason, and that’s because it can be difficult for goalies to locate the puck and control it on shots if they’re looking down into black pads… Most will wear white or another lighter color now as a result. It would stand to reason that a similar game could be at play with the socks.
Maybe the NHL should just make the puck pink. Then it’s highly visible *and* they can claim they care about breast cancer almost as much as the NFL. It’s win/win.
;)
If they did a stunt like that, they’d go with lavender, because the NHL cares about fighting all forms of cancer.
:P
WHA tried a supposed DayGlo orange puck during first preseason, but when actually produced it was closer to a kind of pink.
Once it got moving it became a blur of color that blended into into all the other colors swirling around.
Goalies said it was like trying to follow a beebee.
So the DayGlo orange puck, like the blue one which had a bit of similar problem, was shelved. Although some say the Nordiques used the blue ones for a time, which I can neither confirm nor deny. Probably to get some use out of them.
I had one of each (“orange” and blue) but they have long since disappeared.
They already have every player wearing a “Hockey Fights Cancer” sticker on their helmets.
It’s not like the NHL is the NFL, THE. ;o)
As for the black socks making it harder to find the puck, it holds little to no water. The socks are almost entirely covered, and a couple of white stripes on the Kings’ socks won’t make a whole helluva lot of difference when it comes to making saves. Rarely do players lose track of the puck in a goaltender’s socks.
Black jerseys and black pants? Much more valid. In this case, Quick probably just likes a different style or fit of sock and can get away with wearing them because hardly anyone sees or notices them.
“Rarely do players lose track of the puck in a goaltender’s socks.”
Ah, but what if the idea is that it will be harder for the referee to see the puck?
Quick loses track of the puck and it’s behind him. Referee can’t see the puck, either. So what’s the ref do? He blows the whistle, right?
That would definitely be a competitive advantage.
Except he’s lying on his back. His pads are white. His socks wouldn’t even be visible.
If the referee loses sight of the puck, he’s supposed to blow the whistle. The socks don’t matter if the puck isn’t visible. Unless his legs are in the net and there’s some question as to whether the puck crossed the goal line because of his black socks, they are a non-issue.
He’s link?
Where did I say anything about him lying on his back in my scenario?
“The socks don’t matter if the puck isn’t visible.”
Well, if the socks are white, like his teammates are wearing, the black puck certainly contrasts with them. Black puck/black socks: no contrast.
I’m not saying that this is likely to happen. I’m just saying that maybe this is his rationale.
If he’s lying on his stomach, the puck is still visible on his socks. Whether the referee sees it is a question all on its own, especially when you consider how much some don’t see. ;o)
I’m just playing the logical side of the coin. The rationale is sound – I’m not downplaying that – but the reality is harder to grasp when you consider the position he plays.
BTW, did you receive the package I sent you? I’m also going to email you. I need your input on something.
Oh, fuck. I’ve been meaning to tell you this.
YES, I got it and it’s awesome. Is it my 7th-place prize or wherever I finished in the pool this year?
Technically, it was the 6th-place prize with a twist. Because one of the people ahead of you refused to email me back – maybe he thought I was spamming him – I simply cut him out of the loop.
You got the best prize available of the remaining two, plus I added an extra item due to how long it took in getting them out.
Essentially, you got something for (me doing) nothing… as well as a prize for being a great prognosticator. ;o)
Seems like the opposite of this (which I believe I first read on this site)
link
This kid who came up with these pads “Goalieflage” has a website.
link
I am going to throw another theory in….maybe he’s not wearing socks at all, maybe he is wearing underarmour cold gear leggings. I play goal and wear these under my pads because they are comfortable, add support, and most of all, they allow pads to rotate easily into the butterfly position when you go down to the ice. I started wearing these leggings when I switced pads about 8 years ago from an old styled pad that was not set up to rotate. i found that the surface of the leggings had a lot less friction with the pad, and allowed for much better rotation. I have never worn socks under any pads, usually sweats before I switched pads.
also, I would think whatever he wears, trying to hide the puck would not be a priority for choosing the color of something on the back of his legs.
Cooperalls???
The Eagle on that ’48 NFL Championship program looks like it has a goose’s head and neck. Paul must LOVE the Packer mascot – I know I do.
So it’s the Green Bay Butchers? And the guy with the long stick is the Steeler?
New York Tarzans!
That Birdseye ad in ’66 must have been done by Sterling Cooper. ;)
The Patriots had their name on the outside of the end zone for many years. I think it started in the mid-to-late 70’s. I have no idea why they did this, but I always remember seeing it when they played at home.
Yep, me too. So bizarre. (Probably the most-famous clips that people outside the N.E. market would’ve seen were from that MNF game when Joe Washington of the Colts engineered an amazing comeback. I recall a kickoff return that won the game.)
DEFINITELY NOT THE WC JERSEY BECAUSE . . .
The Winter Classic jerseys have supposedly been confirmed, although I’m also hearing some chatter that those aren’t the real designs after all. Whatever – it’s one freakin’ game, and neither team has a good historical design to use, so almost anything they choose is going to be a disappointing compromise on some level.
THE FLYERS JERSEY BEARS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE TO THIS RBK PRODUCT:
link
YOUR THOUGHTS, PAUL/PHIL?
YOUR THOUGHTS, PAUL/PHIL?
My thought is that you should turn off the caps lock.
my thoughts are that the WC should be played in new york (and i detest the rangers)
Hmm, can a hockey rink fit inside Arthur Ashe Stadium? If so that would be a great venue for a Rangers v. Isles Winter Classic, with better sight lines than a baseball park and seats right up to the boards n’ all… Si?
Not impressed with those jersey prototypes overall, but do appreciate both sides’ inclusion of NW’ern stripes.
My thoughts? It’s a freaking t-shirt.
The world of sports fashions usually go the other way. A team designs a jersey with its chosen colour scheme and logo and then mass produces merchandise. Could they be similar since Philly once wore jerseys that had all those colours? Sure. Is it likely that they’re basing their Winter Classic design off a Reebok-designed t-shirt?
Stop comparing what is thought to be the “real”, “authentic”, “fer-sher” thing to a freaking t-shirt. Otherwise, the link.
“…Pretty much our favorite thing in the world at the moment. Because if you can’t appreciate a Chicago Blackhawks logo made out of hot dogs, pickles, mushrooms, sauerkraut and a ton of ketchup, what can you appreciate?…”
Now that’s a good question.
I prefer my food to be food, not art. Those start bordering on “I can’t eat this, it looks too cool” territory… and that’s just not cool.
I prefer my food to be food, not art.
Yeah, but we prefer our football uniforms to be football uniforms, and not marketing tools or tools of social awareness, too.
I feel the same way when Jesus shows up in my slice of toast…
Man, what is with that guy, always just showing up unannounced and everything.
Speaking of toast… link
That is great, TJ.
Why is it that anytime someone sees a vague image if a bearded man on a piece of toast, they think it is Jesus? If I ever see a bearded man on my toast, I am going to claim it is Gene Garber.
If I ever see a bearded man on my toast, I am going to claim it is Gene Garber.
Quote of the day right there. I’d have accepted Glenn Hubbard as well.
Mother of Hubbard, what about Bruce Sutter or Kevin Youklis?
You don’t eBay that, Paul? BLASPHEMY!
(LOL)
Bob Ross showed up in my toast. He was in front of some happy little trees.
Not Brian Wilson? (pitcher, not Beach Boy)
My initial reaction was one of horror, as no self-respecting Chicagoan would let ketchup get that close to a hot dog. However, after reading the blog I see that he is a non-Chicagoan that has committed to rooting for the Blackhawks this season so I’ll cut him some slack (as long as he continues to root for the Hawks, that is).
Here’s how you fix that Hawks logo.
Make it out of Italian sausages, green peppers and/or giardiniera, mushrooms, mozzarella and marinara sauce.
I thought UCLA was supposed to remedy its stripe problem this year. Looks like crap…maybe they should just ditch the stripes altogether until they can do a better job.
Chelsea’s jerseys say “Help A Capital Child.” Charity organization in London.
link
Sorry. Didn’t see the explanation posted right after the link.
Those are indeed NOT the Winter Classic jerseys, for either team, as far as I know.
Someone should send this to the NFL offices:
link
Yeah… sure. By that logic there’s no brown either, since that’s just a combination of green and red.
Peter King theorizes that Harbaugh and Schwartz wouldn’t have behaved like 12-year-olds the other day if they were wearing suits.
As a lawyer, I can say without hesitation that wearing a suit does not make one immune from acting like a 12-year-old.
Have to admit I didn’t know “league-licensed casual apparel” was mandated for coaches. Hope they’re selling a lot of that ugly crap to offset the loss of dignity.
But they’re less likely to sprint across a field to do so. I think that’s the point King was trying to make – if you’re wearing an outfit that, by its nature, is more restricting of movements, you’re less likely to do something that could risk wrecking that outfit – like, say, hop, skip and jump across the field like you just won the Rose Bowl, or break out in a full run to get a guy who you feel has just disrespected you.
I think there might be a logical explanation for that Patriots clip where the wordmark is painted behind the end zone: if you look at it again, there are also soccer markings on the field (the New England Tea Men were part of the NASL at the time). This has probably been done to avoid the distraction of the wordmark running right through the soccer goal line (like this – link )
Speaking of Tulsa’s pink stripe, I noticed that MD’s shoulder stripe turtle pattern and the back of the leg stripe appeared to be more “pinkish” than red. Was that a poor attempt at pinkifying MD’s uni’s (given pink on red doesn’t show very well)…or was it just bad color matching by the aesthetically challenged folks at UA?
Pic below of the leg stripe…
link
We’ve covered poor color matching on UA pants here before. Since the front and back panels are made from two different materials, they never match perfectly and colors that are particularly difficult to match up from piece to piece become even more differentiated in high contrast situations.
Old school NFL observations:
– the “steeler” on the link has got to be the most mundane mascot interpretation I’ve ever seen.
– the 1968 Lady’s Guide to the NFL should have included recipes for marshmallow pies and tangerine skies.
Carson Palmer is going from one of the worst uni’s in NFL History, to one of the best.
I would “like” this post if it were likeable.
(What I meant was that it’s totally likeable and if uniwatch had a “like” button, I would “like” it.You know … the little thumbs up icon. If there was one, I would click it.)
Uni Watch is NOT Facebook. You can find Uni Watch ON Facebook, but why does everything need to be “like” Facebook? Personally, if you comment that you LIKE it, you don’t really need the “like” option.
A phone call from the Department of Redundancy Department is calling.
I don’t think UW needs the Facebook-esque “Like” button, but it could be a tool to determine Phil’s “Comment of the Day.” But the status quo, which is probably just Phil picking his favorite, is perfectly fine. So, I suppose, color me “Meh” on the issue.
phil is the tool that determines the quote of the day. we need no more tools other than him :-)
that (teebz’ comment) would be the COTD
Tim Brulia likes this. )_
The “share by Meebo” is quite enough, thank you.
TWO first round picks?! Good to know that even after Al Davis’ death, that organization is still running itself into the ground.
They really didn’t have much to trade away (they gave up a third rounder for Tarelle Pryor(sp) because they didn’t have a fourth rounder AND they traded a second rounder to NE), and they knew Mike Brown wouldn’t go for a fourth round pick for Palmer, so they went up to round one. I think they felt it would be really really to convince Mike Brown to trade Palmer, and it would be even harder without a first round pick.
The 2013 Pick is a conditional second rounder though.
Their mortgaging their future AGAIN for an old, injury prone player. When is the last time that worked out for the Raiders?
Just suffer through ’11 (they’re not winning the super bowl with Campbell or Palmer) and start building up through the draft.
They’re*
you seen the body? you sure he’s gone? the venerable puppet-master, pulling the strings from deep in the shadowy bowels of the Oakland Mausoleum.
I say Al lives. He’d never leave the Rayduhz.
Don’t be a hater, Palmer’s a Raider
Homer and Phoenix High Schools are in Central New York, not “upstate”. I wish people from the New York metropolitan areas would stop being so geocentric.
Semantically speaking, anything north of the Bronx would be “upstate.”
If “Upstate” is good enough for Edmund Wilson, it’s good enough. Ben F may be right about true five-borough sentiment, but my experience is that most of us downstaters would say that Upstate begins with Putnam County. So Downstate gets Westchester, the five boroughs, Nassau and Suffolk. Doesn’t that make for about an even 50-50 population split? You get space, we get crowds. And beaches. And prettier women. And
i attended college in “central” new york
which i called upstate as soon as i hit the NYC border
if you went to college in clinton, ny, as i did, the locals call that “central” — only the aridondacks qualifies as “upstate” to them…
if you work(ed) in albany, like i did, “downstate” begins once you hit the thruway
it’s all semantics
but we NYC/LIers will refer to anything above da bronx as “upstate” and you upstaters can call everything up there whatever you want
Does Steve DeBerg qualify as a cyborg, in 1980?
Good question, Roger.
I think he’d be more like Darth Vader – not fully cybernetic, but certainly has his voice altered by mechanical parts. ;o)
“He’s more machine now than man.”
I don’t wanna be “that guy” but that Leafs jersey that the 100 year old marathon runner got looks a bit bootleg to me. The numbers don’t look right and appear to be poorly spaced.
It looks off-center to me. I assumed he ordered it with 00 and had the 1 added later.
First look at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome signage going up:
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Also, there will soon me a permanent light show on the Superdome:
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BEHOLD, the INDO EDGE!!!???
It’s breaking news on the jersey collector boards regarding this. Apparently Edge 2.0 will NOT be available at retail. The retail version of the authentic is made in Indonesia and will have the lime green neck tape. The material is NOT airknit, but a hybrid Xtrafil/Edge material. No double shoulders either. (jerseys will still have the Edge 1.0 arms). Reebok (not Vector) neck patch (which might or might not be screen-printed rather than patches).
The gamers are still made in Canada and have black Reebok neck tape inside along with Maple Leaf flag size tag. See NHL auction:
link…unbr=167036405
link…unbr=166783744
THIS SHOULD COME TO NO SURPRISE to NFL jersey collectors. The retail authentic NFL jerseys are made in Korea or Mexico. The gamer authentics are made in Berlin, WI by Rippon. If you buy an “authentic” on NFL.com you are not getting the actual jersey worn on the field. At least the NHL is consistent with not making an “actual on-ice” jersey at retail.
You mean people who pay $200 for a polyester shirt might not be getting full value for their money?
Surely you jest.
I think $200 only buys you the sleeves on an “authentic” NHL jersey.
But according to the NFL Guide for Women it only costs $230 to outfit an NFL player with pads, clothes, shoes, and helmet. Are you telling me hockey gear is that much more expensive than football gear? 0_o
I miss the days of of the CCM 6100…
I suggest that the Patriot word mark was behind the end zone because back in those days painted words or logos on artificial service became very slick over time. This caused footing problems for players and in many stadiums with turf there was no logo in the end zones.
Just a bizarre sports story here, no uni relation though…
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What uni number will Carson Palmer wear? His number 9 is already being used, and you can’t change numbers during the season. link
Yes.
Was Jeff George #1 or #3 with the Raiders?
Wanna say 1, but not sure. Was 3 with the Vikings, and also 3 with the Redskins, I believe.
Ricko,
Pretty sure he wore 1 in Oakland.
He definitely wore 1 in Atlanta.
Scratch that.
He wore 3.
Jeff George was 3. So is Carson, as told to me by NFL network.
Is that retired for Daryle Lamonica?
Nope.
The Raiders do not retire numbers. However, since #00 is no longer a permitted jersey number in the NFL, they made a “jersey retirement” out of that.
As an aside, you know your team doesn’t retire numbers when (a) Jerry “I Hate Art Shell” Porter orders Tim Brown’s #81 “for a fresh start,” only to sneeze at the Reebok bill for unmoved merchandise, (b) horrible QB Andrew Walter gets George Blanda’s number, and (c) when some speedy stiff of a wide receiver with stone hands gets Ken Stabler’s #12 fresh out of university.
Hey Paul, I have a question: How do you come up with the title names for the ledes? Just wondering. If I was required to pick an alternative name for the lede (not that I would question your choices, which are always good, BTW), I would’ve gone with “The Hunchback of San Francisco”.
How do you come up with the title names for the ledes?
I dunno. How does anyone come up with anything? I think about it until I hit upon something I like (or at least don’t hate).
There’s a knack to display copy (heds, deks, captions, etc.). Some people are really, really good at it. I am not one of those people. I’m, like, serviceable, and I have my occasional moments when I really nail one, but display copy has never been my strength, dating back to my days on my college newspaper.
Fortunately, I’m better at writing text. Or at least I like to think so.
“I’m better at writing text.”
~~~
understatement of the century — your headers are tremendous, but they pale in comparison to your writing…it’s what draws ALL of us here…few writers have been able to convey so much, so well and so concisely
it’s a tremendous gift you have, and one we’re all the better for
Man, is this guy a total apple-for-the-teacher suck-up or what?
“it’s a tremendous gift you have, and one we’re all the better for”
Agreed. If everyone had at least a fraction of your talent (and stopped confusing “you’re” with “your”), there would be no war.
“Man, is this guy a total apple-for-the-teacher suck-up or what?”
Hey, in this economy, you’ve got to do whatever it takes to continue to be able to put food on your family.
Bill Walsh also had DeBerg fake a malfunction so he could have Joe Montana come in to run some plays that took advantage of Montana’s legs.
Looks like more minor league Michael Jackson jerseys…Cincinnati cyclones alt jersey schedule below.
This year, the Cyclones will wear four specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off after select games. Specialty jerseys kick-off on Veterans Weekend, Saturday, November 12, for Military Appreciation Night. On Saturday, December 10, Cincinnati will celebrate its hockey heritage by donning special yellow jerseys resembling those the Cyclones wore in the mid-1990’s. The next jersey auction will be held on Friday, February 10 when “Pink in the Rink” returns to U.S. Bank Arena. Finally, the Cyclones will pay homage to the King of Pop with a specialty jersey on Friday, February 24.
Re : Pats end zone in old stadium atMFLsecret Foxboro… oh yea, it was like that throughout the late 70s and early 80s. As a Baltimore Colt fan I was quite familiar with it. And regarding DeBerg I remember the week he 1st wore it and the NFL Today piece about it. For a comparison, see if you can find a pic or video of Billy Kilmer in I think 67 with the first NFL Films on field mike. It was featured on an episode of Lost Treasures of NFL films.
New Mississippi State unis for the Egg Bowl versus Ole Miss.
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Um…
Gold For Gold’s Sake? What’s sad is that it’s actually an improvement over their current uniform.
I DO like the State outline logo, though.
“Tosh.0” is on TV right now (my friend Ashley was on the show last week, but beside the point). Daniel Tosh’s wardrobe theme for this season is college apparel. Tonight, he’s wearing Jim Tressel’s sweater vest, complete with Nike logo and American flag pin.
Haven’t read a single comment, but I’m guessing that everyone loves the “pelted” coach.
Let it fly, Homie.
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ESPN timeline of the World Series. 1905 memorable moment: Giants unveil all black uniforms for the series.
Anyone seen Uni-notability before 1905?