A return to tradition
Penn State will be wearing a bit more of a traditional and familiar look this season. The names of players are being taken off Penn State’s jerseys starting this season. The school announced the uniform change this morning. Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game.
Head coach James Franklin met with several members of the Penn State Lettermen and current members of the football team Thursday morning to inform them of the decision. Former head coach Bill O’Brien added names on the jerseys in 2012 to pay honor to the players who chose to stay committed to the university in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal ripping through the community. O’Brien’s decision was a bold one considering Penn State had never worn names on the jerseys. That look stayed in play through the end of the 2014 season.
“In 2012, for the first time in the program’s history, names adorned the back of the jersey to forever identify the men who stayed loyal, sacrificed & chose to play for this institution during the most difficult of times,” Franklin said in a released statement. “The 2012 team, permanently recognized in Beaver Stadium, will hold an enduring place in our program’s history. Their commitment will never be forgotten.
“However, it’s time we bring back the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years. We are a strong family, playing for one goal, one university and there is only one name that truly matters, Penn State.”
O’Brien’s decision to add names to the jerseys was a bit of a hot topic for many, although the reasoning behind it made sense. O’Brien wanted everyone to know the names of the players who chose to stay at Penn State when given a free pass out of town. There were some who still hated the idea, and perhaps today’s news will be pleasing to them.
Now, how about adding back that white collar stripe?
Follow Nittany Lions Den on Twitter. Like Nittany Lions Den on Facebook.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
