New ESPN column today — here’s the link.
Meanwhile: Tired of looking at the scoreboard? Think Oregon’s football uniforms are too sedate? Easily and happily distracted by shiny objects? Have I got the uniform concept for you.
An Australian research team has come up with a prototype design for electroluminescent basketball uniforms, which display statistical information (points scored, fouls committed) and tactical info (which team is winning, when the shot clock has almost run out) right on the jersey. As this article explains:
The simple, coloured display panels are attached to each vest and connected to a small computer, about the size of an iPod, strapped to each player’s body. These computers communicate wirelessly with a central control system, installed at the side of the court, which keeps track of all relevant statistics as the game goes on.
Crazy? Maybe, but that’s probably what someone once said about the idea of a coach talking to a quarterback via a radio-equipped helmet. Unsightly? Sure, but no more so than, say, the Vikings’ or Capitals’ unis.
The big question about this innovation, of course, is how long it’ll take for electroluminescent advertisements to start showing up on the jerseys. This seems like a gimme, especially for the players who are sitting on the bench. With this and other fears in mind, reader Jason Borneman has forwarded two modest policy proposals to Uni Watch HQ: “1) Can we get a restraining order against Nike to never ever get hold of this technology? The damage that could be done is unimaginable. 2) Is this reason enough to justify bombing Australia? Pros: Eliminate this dangerous technology. Cons: No more wallabies.”
Quiz Update: Shortly after I posted the quiz results yesterday, several readers took issue with some of the answers, and a few other discrepancies bubbled up as the day went along. Here are the questions — or, rather, the answers — at issue:
• Question No. 4: I said that Steve Wallace and Mark Kelso were the only NFL players to have worn the ProCap helmet attachment. But it turns out that this article lists Don Beebe as a ProCap user. I’d never heard this before (Wallace and Kelso are cited as the only ProCappers in this Helmet Hut article), and I couldn’t find any photographic confirmation of it. But whether or not it’s accurate, I wouldn’t want to penalize anyone who came up with that article and used as the basis for answering the question.
• Question No. 6: It was my belief that the 1983 Cowboys had been the last NFL team whose captains wore “C” designations. But apparently I was off by more than a decade, as seen in these pics of the 1994 Patriots.
• Question No. 9: I have written many times about Elmer Layden being responsible for NFL’s rule requiring high socks. But he also mandated the use of helmets.
• Question No. 16: I had asked if 1940s NFL head linesmen had worn orange and white stripes and umpires had worn red and white, when this blog entry said it was the other way around. This made it seem like a trick question, when in fact the point of the question was simply whether the officials had worn color-coded stripes — I wasn’t trying to play “Gotcha!” regarding which official wore which color. But I see that it could have seemed that way.
Since the newly acceptable answers for these four questions could have resulted in a four-point swing in someone’s score, I went back and re-scored all the entries that had been within four points of the top ten finalists. That resulted in three people’s scores being elevated up to or above 21 points, which was the threshold for being in the top ten. Those three readers are Eric Sing, Mark Mayall, and Matthew Peters.
Instead of bumping any of the previously announced finalists, I’ve decided to add these three additional names into the hat, so we now have 14 finalists, including the wild card berth. I’ll draw the winner later today and announce his name tomorrow.
If you think your score was at least 21, and you’re not among the names cited yesterday or today, please get in touch as soon as possible.
Helmet Giveaway: In case you missed it yesterday, you can enter for a chance to win a free non-autographed college helmet from our friends at Gridiron Memories simply by sending an e-mail to helmetraffle at earthlink dot net (please note that this is not the usual Uni Watch address). One entry per person, but everyone who’s ordered Uni Watch temporary tattoos will automatically have their names put into the hat a second time. (To get in on this, PayPal $1 apiece for the first five tats, 50 cents apiece after that, with a five-tat minimum, to paul_lukas at earthlink dot net.) The winner will be announced next Tuesday.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Yesterday’s discussion of flocked batting helmets inspired Todd Davis to do a bit of photo research. He turned up this shot of a flocked Maury Wills in the minor leagues, but his best finds were non-flocked, like an old Baseball Resigster cover, a classic SI cover, and the stunning revelation that Rod Carew wouldn’t have been allowed to play for the Bulls. … The Mets traded for Ambiorix Burgos yesterday (which should result in some very entertaining mispronunciations from a certain mush-mouthed talk radio host). As you may recall, Burgos is the player who caused a minor stir back on Memorial Day by wearing his American flag cap patch upside-down and in the wrong spot. … Interesting point made by Randy Rollyson, who writes: “Looking back, I see that very few MLB teams used red as their primary cap color before 1950, when the Phillies introduced the precursor to their current uniform. They wore that cap for 20 years. You might find an occasional red cap for a team, or the use of red in the bill color, but nothing that lasted. The Reds didn’t stick with an all-red cap until 1967. The Cardinals didn’t introduce a red cap that lasted until 1965. The Senators wore a red cap from ‘68-’71. Why? Was red dye more expensive? Did it tend to bleed more than other colors? Was there a health concern with having red dye that close to your head?” My initial thought was that it might be an anti-Commie thing, but even that seems unlikely, since Russia was actually our ally in WWII. Anyone..? … Thanks to USA Today’s Mike Bambach, who recently conducted this Q&A with me.
#1 by -V on 12.07.06 8:46 am |
Never Forget
#2 by -V on 12.07.06 8:50 am |
What’s wrong with the Cap’s unifoms?
#3 by Kel on 12.07.06 9:01 am |
Those electroluminescent unis are just wrong.
First, if you try to focus on the stats into displayed, you’ll miss the actual play of the game.
Second, any little mistake will be disputed and disputed until some idiot sues.
Third, if a player falls or gets hit, etc, how durable is the little computer? Will the player be charged for broken uniforms, or do as spectators just get jacked up ticket prices to cover the cost?
It’s a great idea if pro sports are going to be moved to inner city back alleys or midwestern corn fields at midnight, but otherwise, this seems to be another insipid attempt to be on the “cutting edge.”
#4 by CU Tigers Fan on 12.07.06 9:06 am |
Very appropriate first post today. Good job.
#5 by Richard on 12.07.06 9:09 am |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEGEND!
The last big mullet wearing All-Star
#6 by Vern on 12.07.06 9:11 am |
Have we covered the reasoning for the stars on the helmet in this photo? I must have missed it…
#7 by Pat on 12.07.06 9:12 am |
I went to the UMASS vs. BU game last night and noticed that UMASS not only added an ugly black away uniform but they are wearing their Atlantic 10 patch on their shorts (I couldn’t find any pictures, unfortunately). I had never seen a uniform patch on the shorts before. Anyone else seen anything like this before? Is it common practice and I just don’t pay much attention?
#8 by wooster, oh on 12.07.06 9:29 am |
Re: Don Beebe
I was going to mention yesterday about the fact that Beebe wore one of those goofy helmuts in the Super Bowl (not sure if it was the first, or second or third or even the fourth one in a row they lost) because I remember the announcers talking about it and saying something along the lines that because he’s had so many concussions his wife said he had to wear one….but your question said who had worn one in regular season games, so the Super Bowl doesn’t count. Maybe he wore one in the regular season too….or maybe I’m just totally mistaken. On another note, loved seeing the traditional unis of Army and Navy last Saturday and I love the unit patches on their chests.
#9 by Metsfan AZ on 12.07.06 9:39 am |
Good Q & A with USA Today. My hunch is that it was edited quite a bit. I had never heard the Cheers script analogy with the Brewers, spot on.
GREAT 1st post.
#10 by Matt from the 'Ville on 12.07.06 9:41 am |
Paul,
Since you brought up the flag on a jersey today I have a question for you and my fellow readers. How do sport teams get away with having a flag patch on their jerseys. My mother and I were talking and she said that it was not “flag ettiqutte for teams to do this. I argured with here that it was a symbol of respect. But I was wrong according to this web site. Look at Section 9 near the bottom of the page.
“No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.”
Who is right. My mom or I. Is there any special rule that I don’t know abbout I can’t believe that all these sport organizations would disrespect the flag in such an obvious manner.
#11 by Zach on 12.07.06 9:42 am |
Paul (or John, whichever of you might know),
I recently updated my browser to Firefox 2.0 and the links in your blog no longer open in new windows (or tabs in my case, but same thing) but opens in this same window, which makes it annoying to reload this page every time I have to hit Back. In Firefox 1.X whatever it was this was not an issue. I was wondering if either of you knew why this was happening.
Thanks for your hard work and help!
#12 by Mr.Fish on 12.07.06 9:42 am |
I don’t have documentation at my fingertips, however, I do seem to remember that the red dyes used for fabric, not yarn, were not as colorfast when being subjected to heat and moisture. That could be the reason for lack of red caps. The uniforms if there were colors used for yarn would have been washed previously in a fashion as to make it colorfast.
#13 by joe on 12.07.06 9:43 am |
Don Beebe was awesome. I will never forget how he embarrassed Leon Lett in the Super Bowl. The guy was all-hustle all the time.
#14 by Miguel on 12.07.06 9:44 am |
I think all of the A10 teams have a patch on their shorts.
The Big East, too.
#15 by B on 12.07.06 9:44 am |
Paul, I’ve been meaning to post and ask where you find all your sources for the pictures. I am starting a project on helmet art on NHL goalies helmets and need picture sources.
#16 by Mike on 12.07.06 9:45 am |
True, the Soviets were our ally in WWII, but the anti-communism in the US pre-dated the war by several decades. Maybe the wealthy bourgeoisie team owners didn’t want to look like they were endorsing labor unions?
#17 by Paul Lukas on 12.07.06 9:50 am |
I recently updated to Firefox 2.0 as well, and I immediately hated it — and that’s without even realizing the problems you just cited. I trashed it and went back to version 1.5.0.8 — suggest you do the same.
#18 by Paul Lukas on 12.07.06 9:51 am |
Research, baby. Just research.
#19 by Kim on 12.07.06 9:51 am |
The Soviet Union as allies thing only was because we were subscribing to the “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” theory at the time. Figuring that the axis powers were the bigger threat than the Red Menace.
Though the red dye causing health issues would definately explain the Phillies performance during that time……
#20 by LouUmp on 12.07.06 9:52 am |
I updated to 2.0 also, but have had no problems with links opening in new windows or tabs…check under ‘tools’ then ‘options’ then ‘tabbed browsing’…make sure that it says links ‘open in new tabs’ - if not, select that option..
#21 by joe on 12.07.06 9:53 am |
concerning red dye->
I’m willing to bet that its minimal use in the early days has to do with the fact that it bleeds more readily than navy or black.
As an aside, this property of red dye didn’t keep the British Army from wearing red overcoats in the 17th/18th century. Allegedly, the rationale was that red military uniforms wouldn’t show blood and weaken the esprit d’ corps of an advancing regiment.
#22 by Kim on 12.07.06 9:55 am |
Well, read it again carefully. It’s how you interpret it.
It plainly says that the flag cannot be used as a uniform. Doesn’t say it can’t be ON a uniform. So those flashy Olympic uniforms are against the code.
Also it states that any patriotic organization can affix a flag patch. Well you can immediately call yourself patriotic if you’re affixing a flag patch in a respectful manner, right?
#23 by Matt on 12.07.06 9:57 am |
The Notre Dame women broke out white jerseys with green trim and black numbering.
Notre Dame women’s unis
The men’s team is having a black-out tonight against Alabama, but NCAA rules require the Irish wear the home whites. The men’s team broke out the black jerseys with green trim last year.
#24 by Scott Novosel on 12.07.06 9:59 am |
Did anybody watch the Sixers v. Bulls game last night? On the back of Ben Wallace’s jersey, his number 3 was almost touching the letters of his name plate. Anybody have a pic of that?
Also, How about the Memphis v. Tenn. game. I honestly don’t know how you could recruit kids to come and wear that horrible orange. I feel sorry for fans and alumni. Memphis’ unis were so bad too.
I would have to think all of the players on that court last night felt like the dream where you are at grade school wearing nothing but your tighty wads.
#25 by Teebz on 12.07.06 10:00 am |
For goalie masks, I refer to a few pages.
The Goalies Archive
The History of Masks has a few examples.
Masks from the Past is a good site for older masks.
Eye Candy Air, a website run by artist Steve Nash, has lots of examples.
Try these first. If you need something specific, just ask.
#26 by Matt on 12.07.06 10:00 am |
Same thing with black… that’s why the Yankees are really dark navy blue…
#27 by The Ol Goaler on 12.07.06 10:04 am |
Quoting from the aforementioned website:
Are there penalties for violating the Flag Code?
No. The Flag Code is intended as a guide to be followed on a purely voluntary basis to insure proper respect for the flag.
So… In my opinion, both you and your Mom are right! I recall that American Legion-sponsored baseball teams were required to wear an American flag on their uniforms… and no one could ever accuse the Legion of being anything but “a patriotic organization.”
So, as you say, all the flag patches/decals are being used by current sports teams to honor the U.S.; and they’re all also technically in violation of the Flag Code, which has no penalties.
Hmmmm… wonder if I should tell my next-door neighbor that he should light his flag at night (or bring it inside at sunset)?
#28 by Pat on 12.07.06 10:09 am |
So it seems. They all seem to have different placement of the patches too. Rhode Island’s is on the bottom of the shorts.
Thanks for the help. Is it new this year or has it been like that for a while?
I couldn’t find any Big East schools with the patch on their shorts.
#29 by Mark on 12.07.06 10:27 am |
The picture of the Notre Dame women in post #23 shows a Big East patch. Not sure if the men and women do the same thing though.
#30 by Broker75 on 12.07.06 10:31 am |
Brett Hull had an interview with the CBC television co. and they asked if he was commissioner of the league what changes he would make, he said he would make it mandatory for players to not wear a visor, he wants visorless players. Personally I think that this is an awful rule, if you wanna wear a visor, go right ahead.
I was interested in seeing what you all think about this non-visor rule.
#31 by kc on 12.07.06 10:33 am |
Big East team with patches on their shorts
http://www.gousfbull...
#32 by Nat gal on 12.07.06 10:37 am |
I am sure it has been mentioned before, but Chris Clark of the Washington Caps has a football like face (well, lower face) mask. I am far to lazy to find out why, but saw it last night at the game.
Go Caps! Go back to your old unis!
#33 by Miguel on 12.07.06 10:38 am |
I could only find a few. I’m too busy pretending to work to look up all the schools, but it looks like UConn doesn’t represent.
#34 by Allen Kunt on 12.07.06 10:39 am |
There is no way those electroluminescent uniforms don’t give you cancer.
#35 by Gary on 12.07.06 10:39 am |
Glad to see other readers of New Scientist Tech out there…. I thought I was going to be the only one who sent that monstrosity of an article to you!
And I really like the ND unis, black or not. I actually dont mind the black as much there as I do on the Mets unis….
#36 by Miguel on 12.07.06 10:40 am |
Nevermind
(First time I’ve ever quoted myself)
#37 by Richard on 12.07.06 10:42 am |
Safety - visors are good.
Reflective - visors are bad.
Alexander Ovechkin - learning
#38 by Matt R. on 12.07.06 10:48 am |
Although I don’t have any photos, I believe that most if not all of the Missouri Valley teams have a “The Valley” patch on their shorts.
#39 by jesse on 12.07.06 10:49 am |
So long as it upright on the uniform a flag patch is allowed. At team can decide it wants wear a flag, but my reading of the rule seems to indicate that it should be on the left side of the uniform like a lapel pin.
You should tell your friend to take down his flag at night or put a light on it. In not doing so he might as well just burn it. Obviously the flag rules are not enforced, but there is nothing more hypocritical than somebody displaying a flag to show the world how “patriotic” they are and ignorantly disrespecting the flag by not following the code.
Because of the intricacies of the rules regarding displaying the flag, I tend to weigh against using it on athletic uniforms, although it is not per se against the rules.
#40 by Dan from PC on 12.07.06 10:52 am |
I know my Friars had the big east logo on their shorts and a P on thier collar last year but changed that for this season by putting the big east logo on the collar (terrible picture, i apologize, couldnt find any better)
very frustrating to watch last night as refs were calling all kinds of touch fouls for noah, while everytime a pc player went to the hoop he was mauled, and no call was made
#41 by Matt R. on 12.07.06 10:52 am |
Regarding the Purdue uniform, it is highly unusual in that Purdue is partly in white and partly in gold. Are there any other teams whose name appears in two or more colors on the uniform? I can only think of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when they had the rainbow look on their uniform.
#42 by Kerry on 12.07.06 10:54 am |
Nahhhh, the UT Orange allows fans, alumni and players to hunt before and/or after a sporting event without having to change! I think it’s economical and thrifty!!
#43 by Gary on 12.07.06 10:56 am |
Also, if you want to see more pics of the above jerseys, take a look here
#44 by dgc on 12.07.06 11:01 am |
He’s wearing that to protect his jaw/teeth after getting hit with a puck in the mouth. He’s been wearing it for several games now.
#45 by todder85 on 12.07.06 11:02 am |
That usually happens if a player hurts his jaw/lower face. some players have gone to a full visor in some cases instead of this route.
#46 by Thorold Blair on 12.07.06 11:03 am |
Usually worn to protect a jaw or head injury. No time to find pictures at the moment.. more research to come, but i’m pretty sure Pat LaFontaine and Joe Sakic among others have worn something similar at some point.
#47 by Kim on 12.07.06 11:03 am |
Actually it’s more like the lower half of a full face shield.
Clark got hit in the face with a puck against the Bruins about a month ago. Lost a couple of teeth (his first!) and had his pallette crushed. It was late in a tie game, and he finished his shift!
#48 by Paul Lukas on 12.07.06 11:03 am |
Did he explain why he’s anti-visor?
#49 by Matt G on 12.07.06 11:10 am |
Thank you all for your interpretations…. Please keep them coming. I think that since as today is such a historic importantance. I am intrested in know how the “Uni-Watchers” read into this issue. I know that must people think that we have had enough of “political” articles this week but this does apply with todays uni’s of all sports.
#50 by Kim on 12.07.06 11:10 am |
While I didn’t see the interview, I’ll put words into Brett’s mouth.
There’s an opinion that the various saftey equipment, such as visors and helmets have led to an increase in high stick related incidents. The basis of this is since players have the saftey equipment, the stick holders can be a little less vigilant about where their stick is.
#51 by Allison on 12.07.06 11:12 am |
Maybe I missed this, but is Cleveland rockin the orange uni’s all year? Because I just noticed a 1986-1987 patch on the shorts and it’s now 2006-2007…did they win a championship that year?
Sorry don’t follow NBA too closely, but I never want to see those e-jerseys in America. Or in Australia. Or in Antarctica. And definitely never by Nike.
Oh, and I think the orange uni’s should take over as the full time apparel
#52 by Broker75 on 12.07.06 11:13 am |
He thinks if no player wears a visor, “there will be less high sticking, players will be more careful”.
#53 by David on 12.07.06 11:13 am |
I can say anything about the Hull interview, but most anti-visor arguments I hear claim that it makes it hard to see player’s eyes and, therefore, harder to defend them. Also, there can sometimes be glare that can shine in the eyes of other players (both arguments are often directed specifically at the tinted and reflective visors).
#54 by Bryan S on 12.07.06 11:15 am |
First of all, in the grand scheme of uniforms, I wouldn’t pick the Caps as one of the worst, on the contrary, as far as thing go, they aren’t any better or any worse than most other jerseys…
But what I really wanted to post was that we could be seeing a pretty cool jersey patch for the Nationals when they move to the new stadium. Check out the logo on the right of this page
#55 by Allison on 12.07.06 11:16 am |
Not really sure if this is what you’re looking for, but my dad works in a USHL penalty box and scoreboard area, and this is what he had to say:
If two players are fighting and helmets stay on, the benefit of the doubt goes to the player WITHOUT a visor because they are more exposed. The player with a visor (or cage) has less to worry about regarding hits to the head/face. Ever wonder why in some fights one guy gets a 5 min and one a 10? Or one a 5 and the other a 2? Assuming helmets stayed on and they were standing throughout the fight, the player with a visor will receive the longer penalty.
#56 by maximumK on 12.07.06 11:34 am |
It’s a poor shame that the words “Nationals Ballpark” probably won’t be on there once all is said and done. DC is having enough trouble getting money into that project that they’re sure to put a big-money sponsor on that sucker. It’s still a damn nice patch, though. GO NATS!
Mot only should the visor be mandated, but the full mask worn by little kids and, i think, colleges should be mandated. Seeing as hockey is about as violent as football, except with a tiny piece of hard rubber flying around at 100 mph, I think they need to protect the players as much as they can. GO CAPS!
#57 by DJ on 12.07.06 11:34 am |
The Notre Dame women broke out white jerseys with green trim and black numbering.
The game report from www.und.com states that the numbers were blue (presumably navy blue). They sure looked black to me.
#58 by Paul Lukas on 12.07.06 11:51 am |
The new ESPN column is up — look here.
#59 by Chad G on 12.07.06 11:53 am |
There is an issue with the column, it’s black on grey, instead of black on orange as usual (the text)
#60 by Teebz on 12.07.06 11:53 am |
Brett Hull, much like Jeremy Roenick, has delusions of grandeur. Visors aren’t going away. While I respect Brett’s accomplishments in the game, his opinions on the game are often more publicity and pot-stirring than helpful.
In fact, it’s madatory now that any player younger than 18 in the World Juniors has to wear a full cage to protect his face. Once players hit 18, they are adults and can choose for themselves. It’s personal choice, and it will remain that way. Arguing that removing visors will reduce high-sticking incidents to the head and face is like saying that removing seatbelts from cars will prevent people from speeding.
On another note, Brett should thank the Blues for his retirement ceremony and keep his opinions for talk shows. The St. Louis Blues, the very team that gave Brett the retirement ceremony, have a policy that every player in training camp with no professional experience must wear a visor in camp.
Saku Koivu nearly lost an eye in last year’s playoffs. Bryan Berard has limited vision in one eye. Brett’s former teammate Al MacInnis suffered a horrendous eye injury. Steve Yzerman was hit by a puck in ther 2004 playoffs and required surgery to fix the damage to his left eye. Dany Heatley has a permanently dilated pupil due to damage from getting hit with a puck. 38% of NHL players were wearing visors in 2005 (244 of approximately 640 players), but half of the injuries in the league are facial ones. Of those facial injuries, players not wearing visors account for three times as many as those who wear an eye shield.
I’m not saything they should be mandatory, but Brett Hull’s argument is flawed. Pucks are doing as much damage as sticks.
#61 by Chad G on 12.07.06 11:54 am |
nevermind it fixed itself when i reloaded the page
#62 by Paul Lukas on 12.07.06 11:56 am |
Interestingly, Hull has a bit of experience with facial protection — look.
#63 by todd krevanchi on 12.07.06 12:03 pm |
about the flag and its use in athletics…
my father being in the navy, a vietnam veteran, and heavily involved in the workings of the local vfw (and whose yard flagpole already had the flag at half staff at 8 this morning when i drove by their house) had this to say when kobe wore these shoes…
http://cache.gettyim...
http://cache.gettyim...
according to the rules, what kobe did is fine. he didnt take a flag and use the flag “textile or fabric” as part of the shoe. he simply used a flag pattern on his apparell. in otherwords, that was not a flag, but a picture of a flag, there is a difference. organizations who fly the flag are unofficially considered to be patriotic organizations, ie. businesses, schools, colleges, etc. cooincidentally, a few years back, my sister bought a flag, and only wore that (strategically placed and worn though) for halloween. when she sent pictures to my parents, my father was livid, called her immediately and let her know that what she did was against the flag code…
he is really up on the rules…
#64 by Teebz on 12.07.06 12:05 pm |
Except that’s Bobby, his dad. Brett has never worn one.
Just as a side note, this might be my next jersey. Check out Hull’s number. :o)
#65 by Josh on 12.07.06 12:08 pm |
Does NCAA basketball not have a rule about uniforms all looking the same?
I was watching the Memphis - Tennessee game last night and I noticed that Bradshaw and the other white guy for UT (forgot his name) had a patch that looked like a torch on the right side of their jerseys. Now, I’m sure there is some meaning to that (other than the fact that they are white), but those two guys were the only ones on the team that had it.
Strange.
#66 by Manzell on 12.07.06 12:10 pm |
RE: Red dyes.
I do beleive that in fact they were MUCH more expensive. The University of Washington (color: purple and gold) wore Blue and Gold because the red component to make purple was too expensive until the 60’s or so. Belie’e Dat!
#67 by Jill on 12.07.06 12:10 pm |
I don’t like the two toned name. It doesn’t look so bad on the black jerseys but it looks horrible on the whites. They have a yellow alternate that looks bad too but I don’t think they have worn it yet, but I might be wrong. There is a photo on the media guide.
The men don’t do this and I am glad.
#68 by Richard on 12.07.06 12:17 pm |
What was he wearing 80 for?
#69 by Steve on 12.07.06 12:20 pm |
I know it’s a day late, but May (Q#14)isn’t technically the only player to wear his birthday on his jersey - Sidney Crosby wears #87 because he was born on August (8th month) 7th, 1987. So he even has the year covered too. A little more cryptic since May had the month spelled out, but it is still his birthday, unfortunately there is no “Crosby” month.
http://www.tsn.ca/nh...
#70 by Teebz on 12.07.06 12:25 pm |
In honor of the late U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks, Brett Hull donned jersey number 80 during the 2003 Red & White game played in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a tribute to the 1980 Miracle On Ice team that Brooks coached. The Red & White game features Red Wings and Griffins players. It’s a pre-season tradition between the two teams that started when the Wings and Griffins agreed on the minor league affiliate. Hull wore 80 for the entire pre-season that year.
#71 by WVU Tom on 12.07.06 12:27 pm |
Not really the same, a lot of athletes base their number on their date of birth. The Sidney Crosby reference, IMO, would really only hold water if he had been born on the 87th day in the month of Crosby.
#72 by Richard on 12.07.06 12:27 pm |
Much appreciated.
#73 by Original Jim on 12.07.06 12:30 pm |
Paul, I just want to say thanks for the shout out in your ESPN column!
Also, I think Brett Hull is talking out his ass with his anti-visor stance. I think it’s very lame to still have that “anti-macho” vibe throughout the league that men are pussies if they wear visors. Better to be thought of as a pussy I guess than to not be able to see the person calling you one.
The game today is faster and stronger than it was in the past. If you watch games from the 60s and 70s, there’s no question it’s a different game now. And with all the high-tech materials in the sticks, and bigger players, the puck travels faster. You see more players going down to stop a puck than before. The players need the protection. I’d rather have someone on my team who will stop at nothing to keep the puck out of the net. And if that means they wear visors, so be it.
Hell, I played in a street hockey league wearing a helmet and full cage. After I saw a helmetless teammate get accidentally sticked in the eye, I went out and bought the helmet. I never suffered from any loss of peripheral vision.
#74 by Kenny on 12.07.06 12:34 pm |
I always opted for the four point, up top chin strap…mostly white with the chin being black
And it always had to be the hard plastic…couldn’t stand the flexible “cloth” ones
#75 by specs on 12.07.06 12:38 pm |
What, no link?
#76 by Matt Bonnett on 12.07.06 12:38 pm |
Nice column on chinstraps in the NFL, I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity in chinstraps and indeed facemasks, you used to be able to guess someone’s position from their helmet without a jersey number, these days its a bit more muddied.
Never ever seen a 6 point strap though, thats a first!
#77 by todd krevanchi on 12.07.06 12:44 pm |
when a school reaches the final 4, they become an nike elite school (silver collar medallion). this is nothing new, but yesterday it was reported that when this happens, they acquire the top of the line shoe and apparell package from nike. heck, why not, they did get to the final 4!
what i want to know is why some of these schools arent included:
georgetown
providence
unlv
villanova
st. johns
virginia
georgia
purdue
iowa
now, i only went back to ‘80 (the final 4s i could remember) but did these have to be nike schools first, then get to the final four?
#78 by David M on 12.07.06 12:44 pm |
I have a red replica Washington Nationals cap dated back to the turn of the century. I know it’s not an actual cap, just a reproduction…but did they wear red way back then? I’ll have to check out the HOF achives uni site.
#79 by Banker Bill on 12.07.06 12:45 pm |
I wanted to wear my birthday growing up (8/10) but both 10 was taken - and I don’t like wearing single digit uni’s - so I combined them and went with 18.
As far as Hull and his opinions, Teebz, again you are dead on. Hull is a media hound - and the idea of no visors is crazy. I play recreationally and I also referee, and I also wear glasses - I HAVE to have a visor when I referee.
#80 by al on 12.07.06 12:45 pm |
Jeez, Teebz… you know everything ’bout Hockey!
I wish to nominate you as the Official Curator of the UniWatchBlog museum - Hockey Wing, natch.
Go, PuckMan!
#81 by Steve on 12.07.06 12:46 pm |
But how many have the day, month AND year in their number?
#82 by Thorold Blair on 12.07.06 12:47 pm |
Scholar Athlete patches.. or academic all-american pathces?? I think it’s been discussed before but in regards to football, but I think it may have something to do with academics.
#83 by Paul Lukas on 12.07.06 1:08 pm |
Several players wear 6-pointers but leave some of the straps unsnapped (Pacman Jones, e.g.). The only guy I know of who routinely snaps all six straps is Keith Brooking (there may be others but I’m not aware of them) — he’s the one whose photo I linked to.
#84 by Holla At your Boy on 12.07.06 1:17 pm |
I agree with Brett. No visors. Players tend to hide behind visors.
To understand the situation, you need to play competitive hockey, i.e. juniors or pros to understand.
Players in the higher levels control their sticks. I would wear a visor in an adult / rec league game, because of the crazy high sticks
NCAA college hockey needs to switch to visors. It is stupid that the NCAA is forcing their players to wear full shields. Allow the players to wear visors like major jrs and Canadian Universities, so if kids make the show, they are can play without a visor on.
Plus no face mask looks tough.
#85 by dgc on 12.07.06 1:30 pm |
Interesting enough, during the Caps’ TV broadcast yesterday, they remarked that Jamie Heward was probably going to start wearing a visor (he got his face cut up by Modano’s skate). They even interviewed Coach Hanlon who remarked that anyone not wearing a visor was an idiot.
#86 by Jim H on 12.07.06 1:31 pm | &