I assume everyone here’s familiar with the concept of Matryoshka dolls (also known as Russian dolls or nesting dolls), yes? The set shown above belongs to longtime Uni Watch pal Liz Clayton, who received it as a Christmas present from fellow Uni Watch readers Bob and Carrie Weston, who purchased it from a street vendor in the Ukraine! It’s the most deliciously wonderful uni-related gift I’ve ever seen.
Or at least that’s what I thought until a couple of days ago, when reader Travis Demers sent me something arguably even better. Travis lives in Oregon, where the local AT&T affiliate has come up with a genius promotional item: Oregon Ducks uniform fridge magnets in four different patterns. The various components stick to each other as well as to a metal surface, so you can create combos like this, or this. Hours (okay, minutes) of fun!
January Raffle: A corporate entity that shall remain nameless was nice enough to give me a $100 NFLshop.com gift card. Luckily for you, I have zero interest in owning any NFL merch (at least not until they start selling Russian doll-style figurines or mix-and-match uniform magnet sets), so I’m going to raffle off the card. To enter, send an e-mail to uniraffle at earthlink dot net (not to the usual Uni Watch address) by this Friday at 10 p.m. eastern. One entry per person, but anyone enrolled in the Uni Watch membership program at the time of the drawing will automatically get three bonus entries. I’ll announce the winner on Monday.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Interesting NOB find by Jeremy Brahm, who notes that Manfred Schellscheidt of the NASL’s Hartford Centennials had his name double-deck hyphenated. … Yesterday I mentioned the new cut of Amani Toomer’s jersey. Turns out it’s even more unusual once you get a side view — look, no side panel! Just a side seam (as opposed to the usual stretch panel on the side). Jints equipment guru Joe Skiba isn’t ready to talk about this yet, but stay tuned — we should have more info in another week or so. … I’ve been saying for ages that the advent and growing ubiquity of sticky gloves is the most underrated football development of the past generation. But now Ben Penserga has come up with something I’ve never seen before: gloves being worn on the basketball court. Is this a new trend? Is it legal? If so, why? If anyone knows more about this disturbing development, please chime in. … Some idiot has gotten the Patriots logo tattooed onto his scalp. Of course, if he’d gotten Pat Patriot, that would be different. Details here (with thanks to David Lind). … Yesterday I mentioned that Roy Williams is changing uni numbers next season, going from 31 to 38. Before he does that, though, he’s going to wear 21 in the Pro Bowl (as noted at the bottom of this page), because NFL rules clearly stipulate that no game can ever take place again without some tribute to Sean Taylor. … Travis Demers (the guy who sent me the Oregon uni magnet sets) recently conducted an interview with me for his radio station, 1080 The Fan in Portland. You can listen in here. … Lee Prindle just sent me a buncha pics of a high school hoops team with tartan plaid side panels (additional views here, here, here, here, and here). The school is apparently West Vancouver in British Columbia.
#1 by Shaftman on 01.08.08 9:09 am |
He must be guilty…he wore purple. [/sarcasm]
#2 by Tim on 01.08.08 9:14 am |
The phillies did a nesting doll promotion. I’m going to see if my brother who has them can send me a picture and i’ll post it.
#3 by David Lind on 01.08.08 9:15 am |
Re: Ticker Item about Patriots Tatoo
The inking process took about one and a half hours and is part of an overall goal that has Thompson set on turning his entire head into a replica of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s helmet.
He has plans to get an identical emblem on the other side of his head and Brady’s number 12 on the back of his skull.
Do you think he is getting the warning label tattooed on as well??
#4 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:16 am |
Colorado Women’s basketball must have the greatest Star Spangled Banner renditions in the country. Check out the roster:
http://www.cubuffs.c...
PS. This is for Todd Krevanchi from last night. I abssolutely agree with you about the majestic Therma Base. Incredibly comfortable. One of the Guidance Counselors/football coaches in the school where I teach has a connection with Champion and Majestic. He has gotten us the Therma Base tops with our schools’ logo in the place of the MLB team logos! A real find…I’ll send Paul pics tonight.
#5 by Adios el-Kabong on 01.08.08 9:17 am |
I’ve got Roberto Clemente and Mario Lemieux matryoshkas, both given as team promos. Pretty cool. The Clemente one has him in different Pirate unis throughout his career (but sadly, not one in the Santurce Crabbers uni).
#6 by David Lind on 01.08.08 9:17 am |
Back in the summer of 1994, my sister was in Russia and almost bought me a nesting doll set of NBA greats (jordan, bird, magic, etc…) and didn’t get it because they had made Larry Bird black…which made me want it so much more!! I still haven’t let her live it down.
#7 by Jeff on 01.08.08 9:18 am |
No side pannels is not that uncommon. All real NFL jerseys are basically just material that is custom fit to be as tight as possible with the exception of QB’s and Kickers. I have some game worn browns jerseys from 2002 and 2003 that actually have the elastic band of a real jock strap sewen along the bottom to keep them tucked below the players A$$. These jerseys are all custom and if you take a real close look you will find some that don’t have the side stretch pannels.
Also did anyone notice the Schutt DNA helmets that were worn in the H.S. all star game this weekend from the Orange bowl. The red ones had a white stripe behind the head from ear to ear! It looked like the nike back Jersey back strap but on the head. Sorry if someone already mentioned.
#8 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 9:23 am |
amani’s jersey is brand new, because you can see the side panel plainly visible here in the loss to the pats on 12.29.07
although you can’t see the side panel in this pic, it appears to be of lighter-weight mesh in this past weekend’s game vs. the bucs
#9 by mg12 on 01.08.08 9:25 am |
I am really digging the tartan clad basketball uniforms. I was digging around, trying to find some more information on this West Vancouver school, but haven’t come up with much.
What is their mascot?
What do their football uniforms look like?
Do any other of their school teams wear tartan?
#10 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:26 am |
http://www.cubuffs.c...
Numbers #3 and #22.
#11 by Kek on 01.08.08 9:29 am |
Tim said:
So did the Pirates, Roberto Clemente. Although I just grabbed the photo from an ebay auction, I have these and they are quite nice.
I took my mom to that game so she could get them too. She collects matryoska dolls and is a huge clemente fan so win-win. Although most of her collection are the traditional style dolls not sports or pop culture. Our hertiage is Russian and many of them are of onion domed churches or other cultural themes.
Speaking of Russian (or any other Eastern Orthodox folks), I hope everyone that observed yesterday had a great Christmas. Kristos rozhdaetsya!
#12 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:29 am |
http://d.yimg.com/us...
That’s a great pic of two new Schutt helmets:
1. Air XP on Toomer
2. Ion on Ruegamer(#65)
#13 by ThresherK on 01.08.08 9:29 am |
Too bad there wasn’t a set of dolls for the Browns. You know who would be in it.
#14 by ScottyJ in WV on 01.08.08 9:30 am |
I’m digging that plaid as well! Very original and quite cool.
#15 by Jeffrey on 01.08.08 9:31 am |
does this site load damn slowly for anyone else? no other web sites are loading this slow…
also, last night, but not presently, the letters showed up in this typing box way slower than i was actually typing them. anyone else?
now i click “say it!” and wait 30 seconds for page to reload.
#16 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:33 am |
http://www.cubuffs.c...
http://www.cubuffs.c...
This has obviously tickled me …I only want to share it with all you! And I want attention!
#17 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:34 am |
http://www.cubuffs.c...
Maybe she needs Dr.(LI)Phil
#18 by Justin B on 01.08.08 9:37 am |
Matt Powers said:
Do you listen to Mike&Mike?
#19 by Mike on 01.08.08 9:37 am |
Pats Tatoo on your head? Dude, seek help.
#20 by Cosmo on 01.08.08 9:37 am |
Does anyone know what Jim Tressel had on his sweater vest last night? Looked like a little pin right on the collar.
#21 by Jeffrey on 01.08.08 9:38 am |
Matt Powers said:
i thought spears shaved her head…
#22 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:39 am |
Justin B.
I must give credit where credit is due. Golic alerted me to this funny during my drive to school this morning…it’s just too funny to not pass on to my fellow uni-watchers.
#23 by DJ on 01.08.08 9:39 am |
Interesting NOB find by Jeremy Brahm, who notes that Manfred Schellscheidt of the NASL’s Hartford Centennials had his name double-deck hyphenated.
They were actually the Hartford (and later, Connecticut) Bicentennials.
#24 by Pat on 01.08.08 9:40 am |
To me, the gloves on the basketball court would make no sense. When I was younger I used to play on my driveway in the winter. I would wear those gloves that fit over your fingers that are kind of girly. It made the ball very difficult to catch and grip, obviously. But it was cold out so I dealt with it.
In college one time I played outside during the winter and wore my friend’s gloves. He was a wide receiver on the football team and let me use his receiver gloves. That was an even worse idea than the other gloves. These gloves obviously helped me catch the ball but since there was so much grip on the ball it made it much more difficult to shoot. It’s similar to the effect that Steve Nash and a few other NBA players were complaining about with the new ball last year. It was holding the ball in your hand that extra split second which threw my shot off completely.
Unless a company out there is making gloves specifically for basketball and has perfected the grip somehow I just can’t see the upside to wearing gloves on the court. Unless you are just a defensive specialist and never ever have to shoot. Plus, it’s gotta be against some sort of rule. I don’t know whats going on in that picture.
#25 by teamcinnamon on 01.08.08 9:42 am |
The Phillies had these in 2003 with the starting rotation (Millwood, Wolfe, Padilla, Milton and Myers) and these with some of the other guys on the team at the time (Thome, Burrell, Abreu and Leiberthal).
They also gave away Phanatic nesting dolls too at some point, but I don’t have a pic of such.
#26 by ThresherK on 01.08.08 9:42 am |
Interesting NOB find by Jeremy Brahm, who notes that Manfred Schellscheidt of the NASL’s Hartford Centennials had his name double-deck hyphenated. …
As a lifelong Nutmegger, and a soccer fan from before the Cosmos were famous, I must correct the nickname of the late, lamented NASL entry in my state: They were the Bicentennials, named for Hartford, then Connecticut, in the mid-70s. They went on to be the Oakland Stompers and then gained some success as the Edmonton Drillers, IIRC.
The unis were a classy red and white, but the name is as unwieldy as it sounds. (Don’t know if Sportslogos lets you link straight in, but see http://www.sportslog... and http://www.sportslog....)
I guess we can count our blessings that they didn’t stay around long enough to garner the colloquial nickname Bi’s.
#27 by teamcinnamon on 01.08.08 9:43 am |
Ok, Phanatic nesting dolls.
#28 by kings33 on 01.08.08 9:46 am |
David Lind said:
He needs the Sean Taylor 21 sticker too!
#29 by Marty Met on 01.08.08 9:46 am |
I need to find a way to get a set of Ducks magnents.
#30 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 9:48 am |
Matt Powers said:
matt, please email me. paul has my both of my email addresses and will be able to give them to you.
#31 by SaveFarris on 01.08.08 9:51 am |
The Astros also jumped onto the nesting doll bandwagon back in 2004-ish. Here’s a stolen eBay pic of the Jeff Kent model.
I’ve got that one and a Jeff Bagwell that sit on my desk but, alas, no digital camera with me in the office.
#32 by BCrisp on 01.08.08 9:52 am |
I’m sitting at my desk looking at a set of LSU and Texas A&M football Matryoshka dolls. Bought for my coworker and me by our old boss when she was in Russia.
#33 by Bryan Redemske on 01.08.08 9:54 am |
Trek Bicycles made a Discovery Channel team set of nesting dolls for Lance Armstrong’s last tour. The whole team was inside.
#34 by BCrisp on 01.08.08 9:54 am |
Any guesses on who the “corporate entity that shall remain nameless” is?
I’m betting Samsung. I just bought a new HDTV from them and got the same $100 NFL shop gift card. I wasn’t interested in it either until I realized you could by NCAA merch as well.
#35 by Philly Al in NoCal on 01.08.08 9:58 am |
There’s a wide variety of MLB, NHL and NBA nesting dolls available for purchase in the touristy areas of Prague near the Charles Bridge.
#36 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 9:58 am |
it would be nice if in addition to wearing taylor’s #21, williams would apply redskin decals on his cowboys helmet.
on today’s default photo… i dont know what era of cubs those nesting dolls are representative (or if the players are representative of an real ones at all) but, that REALLY looks like leon durham, second from left.
#37 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 9:58 am |
PS. This is for Todd Krevanchi from last night. I abssolutely agree with you about the majestic Therma Base. Incredibly comfortable. One of the Guidance Counselors/football coaches in the school where I teach has a connection with Champion and Majestic. He has gotten us the Therma Base tops with our schools’ logo in the place of the MLB team logos! A real find…I’ll send Paul pics tonight.
matt, please email me. paul has my both of my email addresses and will be able to give them to you.
Todd, I definitely will. And good call the other day on the Grizzlies P.E.s. Stoudamire always had my favorites on that squad, but Gay and gasol are quickly taking over that spot.
#38 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 9:58 am |
BCrisp said:
It’s not Samsung and I didn’t just buy an HDTV, alas…
#39 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 10:01 am |
nice interview travis!
#40 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 10:01 am |
it would be nice if in addition to wearing taylor’s #21, williams would apply redskin decals on his cowboys helmet.
on today’s default photo… i dont know what era of cubs those nesting dolls are representative (or if the players are representative of an real ones at all) but, that REALLY looks like leon durham, second from left.
I love when players from opposing schools swap helmet decals in college all-star games for that reason. The combinations that are created are quite interesting.
#41 by Casey on 01.08.08 10:02 am |
About 6 or 7 years ago in a market in Budapest, they had all sorts of sports-related nesting dolls. I ended up buying a Trail Blazers set, which I still keep in my office. From memory (since I’m at home right now), I think it goes Arvydas Sabonis-Scottie Pippen-Rasheed Wallace-Detlef Schrempf-Steve Smith.
The funny thing is that the Detlef Schrempf doll is somewhat Arab-looking.
#42 by Pete (UK) on 01.08.08 10:02 am |
If they originate in football the Gloves are probably Cutters All Black Receivers, although they ain’t the easiest to get hold of and are very sticky (referencing the over-grip point made above) It’s hard to see if the guys wearing both – could be just one to protect an injury/wound.
As a follow up to yesterdays twin points of the Brown/Blue combo and wierd jersys with strange third colours, check out Stade Francais’ current Home shirt… Which joins their more traditional and just plain nasty designs..
#43 by Dan on 01.08.08 10:03 am |
Head over to Ebay and search nesting dolls. There were several options that popped up when I put in “Chicago nesting”
#44 by Kevin on 01.08.08 10:06 am |
Paul says:
“because NFL rules clearly stipulate that no game can take ever place again without some tribute to Sean Taylor”
Jeez, a little cynical, no. Taylor was voted in as the starter (which he deserved). It’s a nice and fitting gesture. Don’t worry Paul, the “21″ decals will be gone next year and you’ll never have to look at them again.
#45 by Perry on 01.08.08 10:06 am |
A question from last night:
“Why do professional soccer [”football”] uniforms [”kits”] need to make the players look like living billboards? Isn’t there a better way to credit the sponsors?”
One factor in soccer is that there are no play stoppages once the game begins, except for halftime. Meaning no commercial breaks.
#46 by Garrett on 01.08.08 10:13 am |
In regards to Whitney Houston of the buffs… at the bottom it says she actually performed the National Anthem before the Nevada game in November. Awesome
#47 by Matt D. on 01.08.08 10:14 am |
Matt Powers said:
Oh my dear heavens, why isn’t this girl using her middle name – or ANYTHING else?!?!
Yes, I heard this on Mike&Mike on the way into work this morning.
#48 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 10:16 am |
http://boutique.stad...
These uniforms reminded me of the original uniform of the Tampa Bay Mutiny when Valderrama played!
http://web.li.gatech...
#49 by Kyle on 01.08.08 10:17 am |
I saw one American Gladiators comment in yesterday’s comments, but not what I would have expected. After all of the corporate sponsoring that has gone on in the last 15 years, the one big change I notice in AG… no more Adidas logo on the competitors uniforms. They’re logo free. I’m amazed by this. It just seems like NBC would have jumped all over the idea of Adidas, Nike, or hell, UnderArmor getting their logos all over the show.
Paul, I didn’t see your name in the credits anywhere. How did you pull this one off?
#50 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 10:21 am |
Could someone please assist me. When attempting to access PL’s e-mail address, I am only receiving Outlook error messages. Could someone please enlighten me as to the address for I have much information to dissemminate.
#51 by Johnny O on 01.08.08 10:21 am |
Get up, get up, get outta here…. GONE!
#52 by Marty Met on 01.08.08 10:22 am |
Garrett said:
I assume she’s tested for drugs on a regular basis.
#53 by Dwight on 01.08.08 10:27 am |
Question for those who watched last night’s game. Was Jamarcus Russell really wearing the
‘Bama elephant with “Bama Boy” on the “bling”? Just curious.
#54 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 10:27 am |
Matt Powers said:
OGL…thanks matt
but srsly, if they did ask brittany to do the anthem, she’d prolly do it better than this train wreck (SFW), who kinda shares her name
we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming
#55 by mrsguy on 01.08.08 10:28 am |
Too cool. The “lovin hands of home” quality of the Cubs dolls really takes it to another level. Then again I really like how unhappy Jeff Kent looks on his doll, as if he’s stuck that way :)
#56 by Joseph on 01.08.08 10:30 am |
I have two of the Ducks uni magnets. Found them under a seat @ Autzen during the ASU game. Unfortunately, they are the black and green ones so I don’t get to have any fun. I did end up with a yellow helmet though. Nice to see you’re in contact w/Demers, love the stuff he does for 1080 here.
#57 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 10:31 am |
Kevin said:
I think the point is “why Sean Taylor?” Why are the players and teams getting so worked up about Taylor and not the others that have lost their lives. Why select a person to the Pro Bowl (or any other all star gaem) that is deceased? Nothing against Sean Taylor. I didn’t know the man and don’t know anything about him other than what the news media tells me.
#58 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 10:31 am |
Dwight said:
looks like it
#59 by Jet on 01.08.08 10:35 am |
What’s that tattooed knucklehead gonna do in a few years when the Pats change their logo again?
Or even worse, what’s he gonna do when fortunes change and they become a 3-13 team?
Shoulda had a swoosh put somewhere while he was at it.
-Jet
#60 by 13monkeys on 01.08.08 10:36 am |
I’ve been looking for a picture unsucessfully but did anyone catch what NY Giants DE Justin Tuck had written on his neck brace?
He has a nagging neck injury and was wearing a thick white neck brace during the NY-TB game and it looked to me like he had a giant I or something written on it.
Maybe another question for Joe Skiba?
#61 by steve on 01.08.08 10:37 am |
Jet said:
Grow his hair.
#62 by tivonia on 01.08.08 10:37 am |
Kyle said:
During at least one of the old seasons of American Gladiators they actually projected an Adidas logo onto one of the mats that the competitors would land on. Logo creep to the extreme.
By the way, Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali are no Mike Adamle and Larry Csonka! or Joe Theisman and Todd Christiansen!
#63 by steve on 01.08.08 10:37 am |
Jet said:
Grow his hair.
#64 by Kenny on 01.08.08 10:37 am |
Rick From Cedar Park, TX said:
I believe he was the only active player to die during the season
#65 by stu on 01.08.08 10:39 am |
in Paul’s interview with Demers, he said you can get any team design on the uniwatch membership cards. He didn’t even exclude purple. Is paul getting soft in the wake of purple domination last night?
#66 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 10:39 am |
Dwight said:
Yep … They interviewed him and Troy Smith at halftime. Russell’s bling was huge and curiously Bama.
#67 by allenjd on 01.08.08 10:39 am |
LI Phil said:
It’s plausible, he is from Mobile. Don’t know if I would have worn it to an LSU game as an LSU alum. Out in Oakland probably wouldn’t be much of a problem, but whatever turns his crank. Maybe he was teasing the guys that Alabama might be the better team in a season or two.
#68 by Kek on 01.08.08 10:40 am |
Kevin said:
Leave it to Paul Lukas to take a nice tribute and turn it into a chance to make a snarky comment!
It’s funny to me, a few weeks ago on a weekend all holy hell broke loose with the Bryan/Eye Black thing yet I find this one sentence much more of an issue.
Why do we need American flags on the helmet? 9/11 happened back in 2001. The war has been going on since 2003. Why do we need constant reminders of those things?
Honestly, I think the NFL learned their lesson with the Pat Tillman thing and giving the players/teams the autonomy to do what they want with it. I don’t have a problem with that. I don’t know why anyone would.
#69 by JeffM on 01.08.08 10:42 am |
todd krevanchi said:
it would also be nice if he mixed in a tackle or attempted not to get beat on all pass plays
#70 by SouthSider on 01.08.08 10:45 am |
This is only partially uni-related, but if you’re looking for a 2008 calendar check out this line of vintage college football program calendars at calendars.com:
They sent me an email with a 30% off coupon plus free shipping, just enter ‘CLR308′ in the coupon box at checkout.
I thought there were some interesting examples of old unis and some great graphic design as well.
And no, I don’t work for calendars.com…
#71 by James Craven on 01.08.08 10:45 am |
Did anyone notice late in regulation during the Spurs-Warriors game that the Warriors had all five players wearing single digits? They were 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8.
Now if they had 3 amd 4 instead of 7 and 8…
#72 by Dwight on 01.08.08 10:46 am |
LI Phil said:
Thanks Phil.
#73 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 10:46 am |
looks like it
It’s plausible, he is from Mobile. Don’t know if I would have worn it to an LSU game as an LSU alum. Out in Oakland probably wouldn’t be much of a problem, but whatever turns his crank. Maybe he was teasing the guys that Alabama might be the better team in a season or two.
I think it’s a tribute to this guy:
http://pictopia.com/...
Talk about faulty allegiance!
#74 by SouthSider on 01.08.08 10:47 am |
Oops, forgot the link…
http://www.calendars...
#75 by Marty Met on 01.08.08 10:48 am |
Kek said:
Maybe I’m cynical like paul, but I always wondered why the NFL barely ackwoledged Korey Stringer’s tragic death. Maybe they felt a little guilty?
#76 by Stuby on 01.08.08 10:49 am |
Kenny said:
So what. I understand the Pro Bowl inclusion because he was having a solid year before his demise. But the memorials have gotten out of hand. The level of memorial should not be equated with the quality of the player, nor should the timing of the death raise or lower the level of the memorial gesture.
#77 by Kek on 01.08.08 10:55 am |
Stuby said:
Explain “out of hand”. I’m not trying to be a smart ass here, just playing devil’s advocate. We’re talking about a sticker that’s what, an inch and a half in diameter right? Am I missing something that other teams have done?
I was at the Steelers’ game at Heinz Field the weekend after his death and they did a moment of silence, like they probably did at every NFL stadium and like they would had ANY player died during the season.
#78 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 10:58 am |
Kek said:
i think paul forgot the [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] tags again
does everyone have to take EVERY comment made at face value (even those of our leader)? if you couldn’t tell that was at least semi-tongue in cheek, you need to re-read it…
personally, i kind of like what the NFL has done with the ST tribues (albeit in a completely ununiform manner)…but i got a nice chuckle when i read paul’s rapier commentary
peace
#79 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 10:59 am |
allenjd said:
i’d bet a dollar to a donut that russell is no way “an LSU alum”.
#80 by al on 01.08.08 10:59 am |
bunch of memorial stickers on the bucks helmets last night
#81 by Phil on 01.08.08 11:00 am |
Logo creep?
#82 by al on 01.08.08 11:00 am |
… and a better shot of stickers here
#83 by Ryan on 01.08.08 11:03 am |
13monkeys said:
I saw that too. Don’t have a screen grab, but I think it read “Ti”. Haven’t really seen any others beside Douglas, McDavid, Rawlings, Adams and Tag, so I’m not sure what that was, either.
#84 by SouthSider on 01.08.08 11:03 am |
From yesterday’s comments #128…
Adam,
It’s good to see another Boilermaker on the board. Keep bringin’ the science to the Uniwatch masses.
SouthSider
#85 by teamcinnamon on 01.08.08 11:03 am |
al said:
That’s a busy helmet.
#86 by Kerry P on 01.08.08 11:04 am |
Jeff said:
HS all-star game in the Orange Bowl? Are you talking about the Under Armour game? If so, i didn’t watch too much of it. I was focused on the Army HS All-Star game being played in San Antonio. And…just FYI…the game was played at Disney World at their Wide World of Sports complex.
#87 by Stuby on 01.08.08 11:05 am |
Kek said:
‘Out of hand’ meaning excessive. Memorials in the past have been whatever that player’s team decided do. A league-wide sticker worn for the remainder of the season (optional, sure – but you’re making a statement if you remove it) is excessive. He is not the only active player to have passed this year, yet it seems his life was more important than the other guys’ lives.
Let’s not forget that Bill Walsh and Lamar Hunt also passed this year and there was no league-wide recognition for those two pillars of the league.
#88 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 11:06 am |
i’d bet a dollar to a donut that russell is no way “an LSU alum”.
1. Meaning he didn’t go back and earn his degree ala:
http://www.cbc.ca/gf...
2. Todd, I’m having trouble with Outlook, accessing Paul’s e-mail address, how do we solve this?
#89 by Kek on 01.08.08 11:07 am |
LI Phil said:
I KNOW it was tongue-in-cheek, but I think comments could still be made tongue-in-cheek and be insensitive especially when dealing with death.
“our leader”? What are we a cult? The Leader, The Leader!!! (That’s for my fellow Simpsons fans!)
#90 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 11:08 am |
And, yes he is still alive, but what about Kevin Everett?
#91 by DonD on 01.08.08 11:10 am |
Kenny said:
Chuck Hughes died during the season, I beleive he had a heart attack during a game.
#92 by Kek on 01.08.08 11:12 am |
Stuby said:
Walsh and Hunt are valid points, I will give you that. They were pioneers of the game.
However, has anyone actually accused anyone of being insensitive for removing the decal if they did?
Also, here’s something else to ponder: when the league said players did not have to remove the sticker, many players probably just left it on because it’s not that big of a deal equipment wise. In other words, it’s probably inaccurate to assume that EVERY single player that is still sporting the tribute decal is taking a stance. It could be out of pure laziness or indifference.
Perhaps this would be a question best asked to an equipment manager, but it’s food for thought.
#93 by Shane on 01.08.08 11:12 am |
Kyle said:
I could’ve sworn one of the female Gladiators had an Adidas logo on her helmet. Or maybe I’m confusing her with Peter Cech?
#94 by Kenny on 01.08.08 11:14 am |
Stuby said:
You asked WHY Sean Taylor – just giving you the reason most everyone has as to why there have been so many tributes. Is Taylor more important than Stringer, Tillman, Thomas Herrion, Reggie White, etc.? Absolutely not. As someone has said earlier, it will most likely not be continued next season. It’s just fresh in everyone’s mind.
#95 by Nicole on 01.08.08 11:19 am |
The Milwaukee Brewers have done 3 different nesting doll sets as all-fan giveaways.
There was the previously shown Bob Uecker set
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
There was a tribute to the 57 Braves that had Hank Aaron, Warren Spawn and Eddie Matthews
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
And there was a four man set in 2006 that had Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy and Bill Hall. I can’t find a pic on the web, but I have the set at home and can post a pic later.
#96 by Jeffrey on 01.08.08 11:21 am |
LI Phil said:
he is from mobile, alabama…but not sure why the elephant.
#97 by Cosmo on 01.08.08 11:22 am |
Here’s two pics of Tressel. Any idea what the pin is?
http://alt.coxnewswe...
http://alt.coxnewswe...
#98 by Southend James on 01.08.08 11:24 am |
Back to the daft sporting tattoos, I fondly remember one in about 1994, when a fan got a depiction of Newcastle United player Andrew Cole, wearing the Necastle kit and celebrating a goal down the length of his thigh.
Within two days Mr Cole has moved to Manchester United..
Tried to find some pics of this, but Google images came up short….
#99 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 11:24 am |
I’m all for uniform memorials — shit, I just wrote a column all about them, in which I singled out many of them for special praise.
But I also think there’s a fetishization of grief and mourning in our sports culture and in our larger celebrity culture — a fetishization that ties in with the whole People Mag-style treatment of, well, everything. It speaks to the outsized, disproportionate weight we give to celebrities.
If someone at your workplace died, you might wear a pin or a ribbon, or fly the flag at half-mast — for a week or so. But you probably wouldn’t do it for months. And you probably wouldn’t go out of your way to publicly announce the gestures you were making.
But when an athlete dies, everyone goes bonkers, including fans. I think it has less to do with genuine grief than with an unhealthy obsession with celebrity and an equally unhealthy need to express that obsession.
If you think that’s insensitive, that’s certainly your prerogative. But at least it’s not snarky. Oh, speaking of which, about this:
Kek said:
Very simple rule of thumb: People who complain about snarkiness are usually insecure about someone else being smarter than they are.
#100 by Kerry P on 01.08.08 11:25 am |
todd krevanchi said:
Maybe not an “alum” because that’s some kinf of metal alloy. But an “alumnus” he certainly is.
Merriam-Webster Definition – Alumus:
1 : a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
#101 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 11:30 am |
Matt Powers said:
krvanch@yahoo.com
#102 by Kerry P on 01.08.08 11:30 am |
Jeffrey said:
Well, he IS in Oakland. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t a certain BAY AREA TEAM use an ELEPHANT LOGO?
I know the chain said “Bama Boy” and it looked like they used THIS LOGO and Alabama is coached by the many who recruited Jamarcus to LSU, but it’s a nice coincidental logo-connection.
#103 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 11:31 am |
Cosmo said:
cosmo…
were you trying to be funny about the whistle?
cuz…here’s another pic of him and i don’t see any pin
#104 by Dane on 01.08.08 11:31 am |
Kyle said:
I did notice the NERF logo on the tennis ball gun during Assault. Besides that and the Toyota truck right in the middle of the Eliminator, very little LC (aka “product placement”).
#105 by Kenny on 01.08.08 11:34 am |
DonD said:
I thought I heard someone say that about Taylor – I just assumed they were right
#106 by Kerry P on 01.08.08 11:35 am |
Paul Lukas said:
I actually agree with Paul on this one. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. To me, the fitting tribute would have been for the Skins to wear memorials for the rest of the year (and maybe the NFL team for one game). We didn’t see this kind of reaction for Pat Tillman from the NFL. Nor did we see the same emphasis on the passing of Marquis Hill of the Patriots over the past summer or the 2 players for the Broncos. Why is there so much emphasis place on the passing of Sean Taylor and not other players?
As for the pro-bowl tribute, I’m OK with that since he will be there in Taylor’s place.
#107 by Dwight on 01.08.08 11:35 am |
Kerry P said:
OK, I know he is FROM Alabama – but he did not go to school at ‘Bama. Just seemed odd he would wear a University of Alabama (which it is)logo, considering he did not attend, AND they were not playing. Disagree?
#108 by hott rodd on 01.08.08 11:37 am |
todd krevanchi said:
… my first thought
#109 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 11:38 am |
Kerry P said:
you got me…
i have always used variations of the word alumni in reference to those who have graduated from an institution, and never for those who simply attended classes there without any type of degree.
i always thought that gaining the label of alumni was privelege you earned through degree completion.
otherwise you just have a certificate of attendance.
#110 by Cosmo on 01.08.08 11:42 am |
cosmo…
were you trying to be funny about the whistle?
cuz…here’s another pic of him and i don’t see any pin
Not trying to be funny. Your picture helped out a lot though
It looks like he has a little American flag right on the middle of the collar.
#111 by Carolina on 01.08.08 11:42 am |
Carolina said:
And usually a comment like that comes from someone who thinks they are smarter than everyone else.
#112 by Dwight on 01.08.08 11:45 am |
Cosmo said:
American flag or Ohio flag?
#113 by Mark on 01.08.08 11:49 am |
Did anyone else notice the writing on the chin-guard of early doucete (LSU 9)from last night’s game? i haven’t been able to find a good photo of it
#114 by Chance on 01.08.08 11:52 am |
todd krevanchi said:
Nope – alumnus is the label you earn through gaining entry and attending classes. “Graduate” is the label you earn through degree completion.
It’s a very common mistake, though.
#115 by Philly Bill on 01.08.08 11:52 am |
Paul Lukas said:
Well put — it’s not strictly about sports. When former President Reagan died, every flag in the country was flown at half-staff for an entire month. (Or was it two months? Or all summer?) And the post office was closed on the day of his memorial service! Either way, it was way too long, and it’s another example of “grief fetishism.”
#116 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 11:56 am |
Mark said:
“playmaker”
#117 by Philly Bill on 01.08.08 11:59 am |
Chance said:
The Aggies have found a way to alleviatge this confusion: wordy but effective.
#118 by Stuby on 01.08.08 12:01 pm |
Philly Bill said:
The death of a President is a different story than the death of a defensive back. Some questions are answered here.
#119 by Kerry P on 01.08.08 12:02 pm |
Dwight said:
I definitely agree with you…but you heard the man on TV…no one is accusing him of being a Rhodes scholar.
#120 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 12:05 pm |
The JaMarcus Russell debate sounds like this one:
http://onthebuzzer.f...
#121 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 12:05 pm |
The JaMarcus Russell debate sounds like this one:
http://onthebuzzer.f...
#122 by Matt from L.A. on 01.08.08 12:06 pm |
mg12 said:
The local high school where I live in Glendora, Ca is the Glendora HS Tartans. Their colors are black , red and white. You can browse the photo gallery I found. Their mascot I believe is a Scottie dog dressed in a tartan kilt with a tartan hat. This is the school where Casey Jacobsen played high school basketball.
#123 by Cosmo on 01.08.08 12:08 pm |
It looks like he has a little American flag right on the middle of the collar.
American flag or Ohio flag?
I think it’s an American flag. The Ohio flag isn’t a rectangle
http://www.50states....
#124 by joe on 01.08.08 12:08 pm |
Matt Powers said:
best or worst depending on who is doing it.
#125 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 12:08 pm |
Sorry about the double post double post!
#126 by joe on 01.08.08 12:12 pm |
Bryan Redemske said:
and only one nut.
#127 by Ronnie Poore on 01.08.08 12:13 pm |
mg12 said:
West Vancouver Secondary School are the “Highlanders”. the school site:
http://www.sd45.bc.c...
football unis aren’t as much fun:
http://media.canada....
#128 by Dwight on 01.08.08 12:14 pm |
Matt Powers said:
At least the Yankees were playing in that game!
#129 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 12:22 pm |
joe said:
one nut, one dick, one one to play the assbongos
#130 by Seth H on 01.08.08 12:22 pm |
The Rangers did a Brian Leetch nesting doll giveaway and the Knicks did one as well. Don’t recall which Knicks players were featured.
#131 by Jeff on 01.08.08 12:23 pm |
HS all-star game in the Orange Bowl? Are you talking about the Under Armour game? If so, i didn’t watch too much of it. I was focused on the Army HS All-Star game being played in San Antonio. And…just FYI…the game was played at Disney World at their Wide World of Sports complex.
No…It was a 3rd game. I saw it on replay on Sunday on the Sun Network or FSN South. There was nobody there but they billed it as the 3rd national all star game of the group. Under armor, Army, this one.
Miss America was there. God was it awful!
#132 by Ian K on 01.08.08 12:29 pm |
Philly Bill said:
Philly Bill- it is a law or code for the flag to be flown at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a former president. Good that U.S. code is in stone, while NFL code is not (yet).
#133 by Stuby on 01.08.08 12:36 pm |
Nobody looks worse in a ball cap than Les Miles. He always looks like he’s wearing a hat made for a little kid.
#134 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 01.08.08 12:36 pm |
All things are hopefullyabout to be right again in the college football world (except of course Nike unis…)!
#135 by JoeS on 01.08.08 12:39 pm |
I just noticed something from last weekends playoff games. (and I don’t remember reading any comments on it) Can you imagine what it would have looked like if the Chargers would have worn their powder blue uni in this game?
#136 by Ian K on 01.08.08 12:44 pm |
Kerry P said:
Definition #2 is “a shortening of alumnus/a”. Alum is an acceptable term for a singular alumnus or alumna.
I don’t know what kind of number retirements happen at other schools, but at mine (TCU), the school waited until LaDainian Tomlinson had completed his degree before fully retiring his number 5. He left TCU in 2000 as a senior after completing his NCAA eligibility, but didn’t complete his degree until ‘05, when the ceremony occurred.
So LT is a TCU alum and graduate. Russell is not an LSU grad, yet.
And one more item, Philly Bill, about our favorite Texas public institution, with apologies to BCrisp. I will say to people, “I’m a TCU alum,” but graduates/alumni/former students of Texas A&M just say “I’m an Aggie.”
#137 by Kek on 01.08.08 12:50 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
The points about celeb worship are valid. I really wasn’t talking about fans though. Believe me, I know people can be crazy. There was tailgating going outside of the hospital that Big Ben was getting treated at following his motorcycle accident!
I just don’t get how wearing a black sticker with a white “21″ is going bonkers. Maybe I’m not watching the same NFL some of you are but I don’t recall there being an overabundance mention of Taylor outside of the Skins’ games. Hard not to mention it there, he was a pro bowl safety after all.
Look, I totally understand why people feel that Taylor’s death is being treated from others. I’m just defending the point that the NFL’s stance is positive. It was terrible press with the Pat Tillman thing by forcing guys to remove it even if they didn’t want to. I can see them not wanting to repeat that and I applaud Commissioner Goodell for being proactive. I have to question if this is even an issue to the non-Uni Watch world.
As far as Roy Williams, like someone else said, he is the player taking Taylor’s place, so it’s a fitting tribute. And worry not, it’ll probably be the last one.
I always cringe when people make the “if someone at your workplace” comparisons to folks in sports and entertainment versus those of us nine-to-fivers in the real world. You hear when a lot with contract talks, etc. How many times has a player held out and someone you know say something like “if I didn’t show up to my job for two weeks I’d be fired.” Like or not, it’s a different world.
#138 by Kek on 01.08.08 12:54 pm |
steve said:
Like Hank Hill in that episode of King of the Hill when his head got shaved and realized he got Bill’s named tattooed to his head when you was younger and drunk.
#139 by Kek on 01.08.08 1:05 pm |
Kek said:
That should say “he was”
#140 by Mike V. on 01.08.08 1:05 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
All I have to say on this subject is ‘who cares’? Why do people feel the need to defend others who they don’t even know, just because, oh my god, a comment may be a tad snarky or insensitive. Honestly, I don’t care that Sean Taylor died, i don’t. I don’t care what type of person he was, I just just don’t care about him. If my team honors him for a game or two, so be it, but once I see that sticker on their helmets all season, the thought of “this is a bit much” does run through my head. Does that make me a bad person, no. Paul is not a bad person either. Like George Carlin said, “This is just another example of the pussification of the American male,” and this is. Many, many people die every day and I don care about 99.99999 percent of them. So quit trying to be so righteous and thinking you must defend the likes of Sean Taylor, or whoever, because believe me, he probably didn’t give a shit about you.
#141 by Justin PGH on 01.08.08 1:10 pm |
Matt from L.A. said:
I’m suprised no one brought up the Carnegie Mellon Tartans in Pittsburgh. Technically they’re named after the actual plaid design. Much like the Stanford Cardinal. Except CMU uses a Scottish Terrier for their masocot.
#142 by Kek on 01.08.08 1:11 pm |
Mike V. said:
I don’t think anyone was defending or tearing down Sean Taylor as a person. The debate was whether or not the memorial was too much. I think you’re way off, but if the rant helped you get something off your chest, good for you.
#143 by JoeS on 01.08.08 1:12 pm |
Kek said:
Can we give this debate a rest and agree to disagree. I think everyone has valid points, but clearly people just feel differently about it. I only say this because we have been reading the same two comments over and over since this all started. Nobody is saying anything new. It seems to me that you either think the tribute has gone too far or you think the people who think that are insensitive. I obviously have no say over content here and I really mean no offense to anyone, but it is just my opinion that this topic has gotten quite boring.
#144 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 1:21 pm |
sean taylor didn’t give a shit about me?
well fuck him then
[/sarcasm]
#145 by BobA on 01.08.08 1:21 pm |
I think the fallout from the Pat Tillman sticker/no sticker debate might have caused the NFL to loosen its grip on memorials. I recall that PManning was denied in his request to wear black high tops the week after Johnny Unitas’ death.
Of course the sideline uni police are still out there so they haven’t fully loosened up. Probably never will. They aren’t the (N)o (F)un (L)eague for nothing.
#146 by mtjaws on 01.08.08 1:24 pm |
The Marlins did nesting dolls for Cabrera and Lowell (and perhaps a few others) with their minor league uniforms underneath. Of course, it’s all basically minor league players now anyway.
#147 by jaye on 01.08.08 1:24 pm |
In the end, the memorial shouldn’t overshadow the actual game. I don’t that’s happened.
#148 by Mike V. on 01.08.08 1:24 pm |
Kek said:
It did, thanks for caring. Others are right, this has gotten out of hand. Lets all calm down by thinking about how great those Pens throwbacks looked. Ahhhhhh
#149 by Robb on 01.08.08 1:25 pm |
Regarding the basketball gloves:
Years ago – it must have been 1991 or 1992 – my idiot high school friends and I bought a Dr. J vs. Kareem One-on-One game on pay-per-view. I distinctly remember Dr. J wearing gloves during their game. I think he was promoting the concept, but it never caught on…until 17 years later.
#150 by Greg V. on 01.08.08 1:27 pm |
Thanks Joe.
#151 by dm00n [Doug] on 01.08.08 1:29 pm |
Good sock choice:
dm00n [Doug] said:
(no pictures though)
#152 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 1:31 pm |
LI Phil said:
[More Sarcasm] Jeez Phil! A little respect for the dead okay? [/Sarcasm]
I just love sarcasm. It my family’s first language.
#153 by Joe H on 01.08.08 1:34 pm |
Mike V. said:
Agreed!
PS – Chuck Norris agrees too!
sorry about the PS, but I just discovered chucknorrisfacts.com and I can’t stop putting him into all of my thoughts!
#154 by Kek on 01.08.08 1:34 pm |
JoeS said:
Actually, today I brought up three questions that I don’t believe were brought up before.
1. Aside from the sticker on helmets after the initial week following Taylor’s death, what have non-Redskins clubs done that would be considered bonkers or overboard?
2. Just because a player on a non-Redskins team has opted to keep the “21″ sticker, does that mean they are making a stance or have they just left it alone? Since it’s an accessory, it’s probably easier to just let it on.
3. What about the flag sticker? Why is that necessary. We spent how many weeks discussing LT’s helmet and if he did/didn’t wear it but I don’t recall a discussion of whether the flag being on the helmet is even relevant. Don’t we all know we’re in America? Why has the American flag become de facto on the backs of NFL and NCAA (and some HS) helmets?
But I really haven’t gotten any answers. Just the normal legion of “I agree with Paul” dittoheads. I guess the Sean Taylor memorial sticker is added the growing list of undebatable topics I mentioned a few days ago (the color purple, logo creep, nike).
I made the cult comment tongue-in-cheek earlier but I don’t know, there might be some truth to it. Don’t question “The Leader” and if you have the nerve to do so, the followers come to his defense and if you’re lucky, you might even get an insult directed your way from the Almighty Himself!!!
#155 by Jon on 01.08.08 1:35 pm |
There are esablished protocols and traditions for flags, etc. when a president dies. There isn’t any useful comparison to what sports teams and leagues do to honor the death of a sports figure.
Concerning Sean Taylor’s passing, I, too, have not understood why the memorials had to be league-wide for so long. My concern now is that there is a precedent of sorts being set. When there are future tragedies (God forbid), will these types of memorials continue unabated? Will political correctness creep into this area?
Maybe common sense will prevail going forward. In any event, it is truly unfortunate that a young person’s life was taken so tragically.
#156 by Brian Erni on 01.08.08 1:40 pm |
Paul,
My girlfriend studied abroad this past semester in London and when she traveled to Prague for a long weekend, she picked me up a similar Russian doll set of the Mets. You’d be disappointed to know that they portray Reyes, Delgado, Beltran, Green and Wright in black jerseys, but I also thought it was awesome that she found something like that so far from home.
#157 by emd2k3 on 01.08.08 1:42 pm |
Justin PGH said:
I am a Carnegie Mellon ALUM! (Graduate, not ‘attendee’) The Scotty Dog is a relatively new logo. For a long time they had … nothing.
The Tartans also boast a 1939 Sugar Bowl loss, a 4-15-1 lifetime record against Notre Dame, and a recent run of 27 consecutive winning seasons. (They went 5-5 this season.)
All that’s missing is plaid unis.
#158 by Dan from PC on 01.08.08 1:51 pm |
Could it be that perhaps the “leader” represents a majority view on this board and people are defending their own point of view as much as PLs?
#159 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 1:52 pm |
1. Aside from the sticker on helmets after the initial week following Taylor’s death, what have non-Redskins clubs done that would be considered bonkers or overboard?
other than keeping them on (a complete non-issue to me), nothing
2. Just because a player on a non-Redskins team has opted to keep the “21″ sticker, does that mean they are making a stance or have they just left it alone? Since it’s an accessory, it’s probably easier to just let it on.
see above (although the g-men DID remove them and then return them the following week…so you tell me if that is a stance)
3. What about the flag sticker? Why is that necessary. We spent how many weeks discussing LT’s helmet and if he did/didn’t wear it but I don’t recall a discussion of whether the flag being on the helmet is even relevant. Don’t we all know we’re in America? Why has the American flag become de facto on the backs of NFL and NCAA (and some HS) helmets?
excellent point kek…i sported the colors following the tragic events of 9/11 (i lost a cousin and 3 neighbors), for what i deemed to be a period of suitable mourning…and then i simply stopped wearing it (it was a lapel pin); no one questioned my patriotism or loyalty and it was a personal choice…i think we tread down a VERY slippery slope when we mandate the wearing of the american flag on the helmets (and any other piece of equipment); the ST memorial should be up to the wearer and continue only throughout this season
now…about those “free mike vick” pieces of shit…
#160 by Kek on 01.08.08 1:56 pm |
emd2k3 said:
I think it would be cool for them to tinker with the concept of putting plaid trim on the neckline and sleeve like when Bama did the houndstooth jersey we talked about a couple days ago in honor of Bear. I think Bama only did the neckline but both it and the sleeves could get the trim. Like the accents on the FSU uniform.
#161 by Nuk on 01.08.08 1:57 pm |
Another West Van Hihglanders pic
Field Hockey – girls
/Stelly’s Grad – burgundy and gold and the horrid “Stingers” nickname
#162 by Kek on 01.08.08 2:02 pm |
Pete (UK) said:
Could the gloves be protection from the herpes gladitorium? I know that’s been more of a risk with wrestling mats, but many HS gyms host both wrestling and b-ball.
I don’t think so, because if that was the case, you’d see more players wearing gloves but it’s just something to think about.
#163 by Kek on 01.08.08 2:04 pm |
Dan from PC said:
[sarcasm] Sure, because we all know the majority is always right[/sarcasm]
#164 by Who cares on 01.08.08 2:04 pm |
CMU uses plaid in these unis.
#165 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 2:04 pm |
Jon said:
Which brings up a possible topic …
Which is ‘worse’, logo creep or PC creep?
#166 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 2:07 pm |
Remember, Everything is relative. In our Uni-World, the Sean Taylor memorial sticker is different, thus a big deal. For us to debate this is natural, but also remember something a sage wiseman once taught me:
Opinions are like assholes:
Everybody’s got one,
And they ALL stink!
#167 by Moose on 01.08.08 2:09 pm |
Kek said:
I wasn’t going to comment on this issue, but its received enough coverage to where I’ll add my two cents.
For a league that has pretty hard-in-fast, strict uni-related rules, I find it odd that they’ve allowed this tribute to continue as long as it has. I agree that the presence of the sticker for one game by all NFL teams was entirely appropriate. It was an unfortunate and shocking tragedy. I think I would have been disappointed if that weren’t allowed.
However, I see no reason why an exception to the norm was made w/ Sean Taylor. As has been previously mentioned, this did not happen for other players nor was it allowed. If it was an individual who had a league-wide presence or impact, such as a Commissioner, etc…, I think I’d feel differently– but not a single player who played for one team.
Last thing—Roger Goodell has taken pride in the fact that he has been an “enforcer.” So why not follow NFL policy on this issue?
The bottom line is I really don’t care about the sticker. It’s just a sticker. It’s a nice gesture. I just don’t get why the NFL isn’t following their “normal” route on this.
#168 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 2:11 pm |
Rick From Cedar Park, TX said:
this creep
evil empire 1 – beantown 0
/talk to me goose
#169 by Jerico on 01.08.08 2:11 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Mr. Lukas–was this really necessary? I know this is your blog (”it’s my party and I can cry if I want to”) and I enjoy SO many things about it, but devolving your blog thread today into a sort of I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I pissing contest is really beneath you.
Re: Taylor, et al.–Being from Denver, I heard much of the Pat Tillman memorial controversy as it related to then-Broncos QB Jake Plummer, as well as the Darrent Williams tragedy (in fact, he was shot barely a mile away from my apartment). I have come to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong way to memorialize someone; each person has their own way to mourn.
But many of you arer right–this topic is getting tiresome, and rather morbid. Back to Uni discussion…
Re: Joe Gibbs retiring/resigning today–does that mean the Redskins will go back to wearing burgundy at home, as they did when Marty Schottenheimer and Steve Superior, er, Spurrier coached the team? Norv Turner actually continued to outfit the team in white at home and (mostly) on the road, if I’m not mistaken.
#170 by Kek on 01.08.08 2:13 pm |
LI Phil said:
I feel what you’re saying about the flag like on lapels. Pre-9/11 people wore flag related items on Memorial Day, July 4th, Flag Day, Veterans Day, etc. It didn’t mean they were any less patriotic the rest of the year, simply that they were celebrating the significance of the day.
Now, the everyday wearing of the colors has taken some of the significance of those special days. Unfortunately, some feel that wearing them makes “more American”.
I think some of that attitude has fallen into sports. Like with LT, people were like “what’s his deal, why no flag?” like he had some statement to make.
#171 by Robin on 01.08.08 2:13 pm |
Kerry P said:
You got that right KerryP. He seemed a bit spaced out to me. You’d think someone could have told him to wear something that loosely resembles LSU apparel instead of that technicolor dreamcoat he had on.
I like the dig Troy Smith got in on him about an excellent representative for the state of Alabama
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
#172 by dgc on 01.08.08 2:17 pm |
Jerico said:
I don’t remember Marty or Spurrier switching to burgundy at home. They did wear colored 70th Anniversary throwbacks at home which was Spurrier year 1.
#173 by Kevin on 01.08.08 2:19 pm |
Roy Williams wearing #21 for an exhibition game in honor of the man who should be playing there is appropriate. It’s not overboard and completely independent of the decals, etc. That was the point I was trying to make earlier.
Comparing Taylor’s murder to the deaths of other NFL players/coaches is difficult. It’s hard to put them all in the same context. I can’t explain why ST is getting more press than Pat Tillman or Darrent Williams. But for whatever reason it is, and the NFL players are responding to it.
And don’t be surprised if the NFC defense opens with 10 men on the first play. Again, that’s appropriate. So if you think it’s overbaord, skip the first 15 minutes of the pro bowl.
#174 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 2:19 pm |
LI Phil said:
troy smith Gets It
but he’s right…
[insert alabama joke here]
#175 by Matt Powers on 01.08.08 2:21 pm |
This guy must be Russell’s fashion consultant:
http://www.geocities...
#176 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 2:25 pm |
Kek said:
Just naming him to the Pro Bowl was ridiculous. He played in nine games this season. I don’t care how good a season he was having — nobody who plays nine games is a Pro Bowler. But naming him to the team perpetuated the fetishization of grief, and then Roy Williams announced he’ll wear 21, and lots of you are saying, “Well, that’s OK since he took Taylor’s spot on the roster” — but Taylor should never have been on the roster to begin with.
Kek said:
I completely agree — it was a post-9/11 gesture, but there’s no need to wear it now, and I wish they’d remove it.
Kek said:
Kek, in all seriousness, you need to stop with the “dittoheads” comments. For starters, it’s rude. More importantly, it’s a lazy catch-all way for you to dismiss anyone who disagrees with you instead of engaging with them. Nobody has to agree with me, and I encourage diverse opinions here, but has it occurred to you that maybe people come to this site because they tend to share my sensibilities? If you disagree with me, or with others, that’s fine. The number of people supporting our respective positions isn’t necessarily indicative of anything other than people’s honest opinions — it doesn’t mean I’m “more” right than you are. It may mean, however, that you’re in the minority in this particular group.
Kek said:
Kek, give it a rest. Keep in mind that to people who don’t care about uniforms, we (including you) DO look like a cult. But aside from that, your analogy is absurd on its face. Just because a group of people disagrees with you, that’s not necessarily an indication of mindless group-think. Maybe it means you’re just out of step.
#177 by Johnny O on 01.08.08 2:25 pm |
Mike V. said:
This reminds me of a conversation I had with my dad in the mid 90’s. I bought an authentic Michael Jordan Bulls jersey with my own money (I think I was 14 so it was a big deal) and my dad couldn’t believe I spent my money on that. He said, “Does Michael Jordan walk around with your name on his back? Does he give you money when you wear his jersey? Does he give a shit about you?”
Aside from that jersey, the only other jersey I ever got was this past year (A Milwaukee Brewers Retro Friday jersey…with no name on the back)
#178 by Kek on 01.08.08 2:25 pm |
Another point on the Sean Taylor thing, I see the point people make with past tragedies and why this one was handled differently. Since you can’t change the past, you can only look forward. The telling sign to me would be, God forbid, another in-season tragedy involving an active player happened and the league wasn’t consistant. Then it would look like they handled Sean Taylor out of the ordinary and made it appear his death was more important than others.
Here’s another school-of-thought, maybe the league made this choice to curb the individual, non-NFL sanctioned type memorials. (Although some did this by writing on their eyeblack stripes anyway. Any word if those guys were fined?)
But someone that was a friend or played with Taylor could wear a tribute shirt underneath (like those clowns in ATL did with Vick). By making the league-wide memorial, maybe that was the NFL’s way of saying “here’s how you can show your respect and you after the first week you can wear it as long as you want after that.”
Re: eyeblack strips and personal messages, does anyone else think that’s played out. Reggie Bush did it with his area code back at USC and that seems like 100 years ago.
#179 by James Craven on 01.08.08 2:26 pm |
I’m watching ESPN Classic right now and there’s a 1995 Alabama-Florida SEC basketball contest on, and Alabama’s wearing a weird-a** striping pattern on their shorts that has been discussed on the Cramer boards, and Florida’s warm-up shirts are white with blue pinstripes which looks like a baseball jersey.
#180 by Jerico on 01.08.08 2:29 pm |
dgc said:
I’m a die-hard Bears fan, and I still remember the odd sight of a Bears-’Skins game in DC in 2001, during Schottenheimer’s lone season in DC, where the ‘Skins were clad in burgundy and the Bears in all-white. I just pulled a photo from Google from that game.
#181 by Ryan B. on 01.08.08 2:44 pm |
Crystal Palace F.C. in London is allowing its fans to vote for their shirts for next season.
Here’s the link.
#182 by Mike V. on 01.08.08 2:46 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Hey Paul, when should we drink the Kool-Aid? I can’t remember if we do it before or after the march on Washington to ban the color purple.
[sorry, no insult intended to anyone. I just thought this would be a good place to insert a funny]
Remember, think of those Pens throwbacks, that color blue is very calming.
#183 by Duckstyle on 01.08.08 2:47 pm |
OMG will thr Sean Taylor talk stop!!??
Seriously, all valid points stopped about halfway down, since then it’s become a penis measuring contest.
Quick question. Are NFL teams allowed to wear alternate uni’s during the playoffs? I can’t remembering it happening before. Is there a rule against it, no team cared to find out, or am I worng and teams do it all the time?
#184 by Tim on 01.08.08 2:47 pm |
Question about the raffles:
Are members automatically entered, or do they need to email uniraffle as well? Assuming you do need to, when you email uniraffle, how do you specify that you’re a member? I recall Paul saying not to bother writing anything in the body of the email because he doesn’t open them, do you guys just write your name in the subject line or what?
#185 by DenverGregg on 01.08.08 2:51 pm |
Too much attention paid to celebs? Yep.
Too many conspicuous and self-indulgent displays of emotion in our society? Yep.
Any reason to continue including flags on unis? Lots of people would say so.
Any compelling reason to remove flags from unis? I don’t know of any.
This is a forum for discussion of a quirky interest. The only commonality is that quirky interest. I wouldn’t presume that anyone here should agree with me on anything in particular, other than our shared interest in athletics aesthetics.
#186 by Dennis Abrams on 01.08.08 2:53 pm |
Shea Stadium had a giveaway of Mike Piazza Russian dolls a few years ago. I think I still have the original box.
#187 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 2:53 pm |
Kek said:
I think the personal messages are becoming too much. It’s (and now we’re back to an actual uni related discussion … cool) one thing when a pitcher puts messages to himself on the underside of his brim, it’s totally different when a player in any sport puts something on his eye-black. In mu opinion, if you want to hold up a sign for the camera, go sit in the stands. Otherwise, just go play the game like you’ve been there before.
#188 by Kek on 01.08.08 2:54 pm |
Mike V. said:
Make sure it’s the right flavor. Sorry, I couldn’t resist!!!!!
#189 by Cathy on 01.08.08 2:57 pm |
I have a set of those Cubs Russian hand painted nesting dolls. I love them!! They seem more genuine than the MLB generated ones, although maybe not as accurate.
I was a big Sean Taylor fan (Skins fan) but agree that it is becoming a bit much with all the tributes. As to Paul’s point about someone dying in the office…I can relate. A man I work with died over the Holidays and was buried out of state. Other than cleaning out his office and re-assigning his work, nobody is making a huge deal of it here (timing may have something to do with it). Sort of cold but life goes on…his name plate is still outside his office though…as a tribute.
#190 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 2:57 pm |
Dennis Abrams said:
is that the mail order one? or the regular real doll?
#191 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 2:59 pm |
Tim said:
All members automatically get three entries — no email needed. Members can also send an email entry, just like anyone else (making a total of four entries for members who also email).
#192 by Zach on 01.08.08 3:10 pm |
Philly Bill said:
BUT the aggies don’t have the same requirements as most places…case in point…
#193 by JoeS on 01.08.08 3:11 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Just out of curiosity, about how many entries do you get for these raffles (in other words: what are my chances!) I realize it will vary for each raffle, but are we talking 100s, 1000s?
#194 by Zach on 01.08.08 3:13 pm |
sorry…..http://www.bevosports.com/2005/09/25/aggies-prepare-for-rita/
#195 by Kevin on 01.08.08 3:20 pm |
Paul says:
Just naming him to the Pro Bowl was ridiculous. He played in nine games this season. I don’t care how good a season he was having — nobody who plays nine games is a Pro Bowler. But naming him to the team perpetuated the fetishization of grief, and then Roy Williams announced he’ll wear 21, and lots of you are saying, “Well, that’s OK since he took Taylor’s spot on the roster” — but Taylor should never have been on the roster to begin with.
So, Paul, what is your criteria for pro-bowlers? Must they play 16 games? Must they have superior stats?
Granted, ST played in 9 out of 16 games, so he shouldn’t reasonably be there. But you could say that for a number of players voted in. Again, it’s an exhibition for the fans. Who gives a f how/why someone gets voted in.
#196 by Fez Whatley on 01.08.08 3:21 pm |
Duckstyle said:
The last time the Niners won the Super Bowl they wore their “throwback” uni. Forget if it was an alternate or regular season uni…
#197 by Carl on 01.08.08 3:24 pm |
I am really digging the tartan clad basketball uniforms. I was digging around, trying to find some more information on this West Vancouver school, but haven’t come up with much.
What is their mascot?
What do their football uniforms look like?
Do any other of their school teams wear tartan?
The local high school where I live in Glendora, Ca is the Glendora HS Tartans. Their colors are black , red and white. You can browse the photo gallery I found. Their mascot I believe is a Scottie dog dressed in a tartan kilt with a tartan hat. This is the school where Casey Jacobsen played high school basketball.
I’m suprised no one brought up the Carnegie Mellon Tartans in Pittsburgh. Technically they’re named after the actual plaid design. Much like the Stanford Cardinal. Except CMU uses a Scottish Terrier for their masocot.
I am a Carnegie Mellon ALUM! (Graduate, not ‘attendee’) The Scotty Dog is a relatively new logo. For a long time they had … nothing.
The Tartans also boast a 1939 Sugar Bowl loss, a 4-15-1 lifetime record against Notre Dame, and a recent run of 27 consecutive winning seasons. (They went 5-5 this season.)
All that’s missing is plaid unis.
…we need more plaid in uniforms. Maybe if Marquette would toss some lines in the checkerboard new unis and come up with something like this.
#198 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 3:24 pm |
i read (or heard) that michael vick was not only moved to a new prison for the term of his sentence, but also has entered into a drug rehab program. it was stated that vick’s sentence could be cut in half should he complete the rehab program.
now i have a question…
what does completing a rehab program have to do with his 23 month sentence for dog fighting?
#199 by SWC Susan (aka Tex) on 01.08.08 3:30 pm |
Brian Erni said:
They have all teams at the market – you would be surprised! Baseball, hockey, basketball, football – pro and college! I have even picked up a UT National Championship doll. Often the college ones have the greatest players – like the all-americans. I was always curious to see who they put in – St. Louis Cards World Series Champs was one that clearly had some major players missing – as those doll sets typically only have five pieces. But, I have always been impressed at how current they are for eventful renderings. Even NASCAR champions! Unfortunately, over the last ten years they have started going to a process that has actual photo faces instead of the charming portrait attempts.
#200 by Fez Whatley on 01.08.08 3:31 pm |
Fez Whatley said:
Super Bowl 29 in 1995 (1994 season) was the 75th NFL season.
http://www.fortuneci...
#201 by andrew on 01.08.08 3:38 pm |
http://bamastatespor...
too back they don’t have NOB. saltalamacchia my ass.
#202 by Brendan on 01.08.08 3:41 pm |
When I was a lad I had eczema so bad that I had to wear gloves to protect my poor little hands.
#203 by Sam on 01.08.08 3:44 pm |
Fez Whatley said:
Teams were allowed to wear the throwbacks all season long. The Niners started the year wearing their regular uniforms. Then they wore the throwbacks on a road game against the Lions and won. They decided to keep it all season long as a good luck charm. They kept it throughout the playoffs. In the NFC Championship game against the Cowboys, the Boys also went throwback.
#204 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 3:46 pm |
Kevin said:
Cool, let’s vote in Johnny Unitas and Jim Brown while we’re at it. I may not always know a Pro Bowler when I see one, but I sure know when I’m NOT seeing one, and that would be when I’m looking at someone who played only nine games.
And if it’s all “for the fans,” what exactly does Taylor’s selection do for the fans, aside from perpetuating the fetishization of celebrity?
#205 by Chance on 01.08.08 3:51 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Sometimes the question is its own answer.
#206 by tedkerwin on 01.08.08 3:51 pm |
RE: Nine games for Taylor
TMQ complains that all pro-bowlers are voted in after only 12 games and other sports vote in ALl-Stars on even less of the season being played. It is such a reputation vote in football it is not surprising that he was named. I thought Chris Snee from the Giants had a great year and if he has a solid start next season he will probably get named, you need to be slighted first then you gett he recognition.
#207 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 4:04 pm |
As far as the Pro Bowl goes, I would argue that Roy Williams should not be in because of his horse Collar tackle fine. I mean, isn’t being in the Pro Bowl an award of sorts? Didn’t the NFL say that, in essense, players that were ‘bad’ couldn’t get awards?
#208 by Dwight on 01.08.08 4:05 pm |
OK – new topic, who else liked the LSU “halftime contest” kicker’s shoulder stripes WAY more than the truncated stripes the team actually wore?
#209 by Robert on 01.08.08 4:05 pm |
Speaking of fetishization, thanks to yesterday’s column, I keep clicking on this link at least once an hour.
http://www.americana...
#210 by Rick on 01.08.08 4:06 pm |
Matt Powers said:
Classic. Either him, or Russ Salzberg (local sportscaster in the northern NJ and NYC area). Russ’s nickname when he had a radio show on WFAN was “The Sweater” because he’d always wear Cosby-ish sweaters.
#211 by Kevin on 01.08.08 4:07 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
That’s fair enough, but you shouldn’t limit it to ST. Yao Ming always gets the most votes in the NBA voting. Is that a true indication of his skills?
I’d vote for Jim Brown and Unitas, but alas, they weren’t on the ballot.
#212 by Duckstyle on 01.08.08 4:09 pm |
Sam said:
My memory stands corrected. Thanks
#213 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.08.08 4:12 pm |
Robert said:
I just downloaded it.
#214 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 4:12 pm |
Brendan said:
do you still?
#215 by dan on 01.08.08 4:21 pm |
Paul can you get me some of those fridge magnets, I love Oregon’s unis
#216 by Ryan on 01.08.08 4:25 pm |
Ryan said:
Found out that it’s not a neck roll but part of the shoulder pads itself. Impact Shoulder pads, to be exact. That must have been the “I” we saw.
#217 by Ash on 01.08.08 4:33 pm |
When my sister was in Europe about ten years ago she brought me back nesting dolls that contained all of the Czech-born players on the Penguins. I need to find those.
#218 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 4:39 pm |
I’ll be posting this again tomorrow, but for those of you who are reading today’s comments: My ESPN.com colleague Patrick Hruby is looking to get his hands on a giant ear costume — meaning, y’know, a costume depicting a giant ear — as soon as possible. If anyone has any idea where to find such an item, please let me know, post-haste.
#219 by Dwight on 01.08.08 4:45 pm |
Dwight said:
Anyone have pics of this btw?
#220 by KT on 01.08.08 4:48 pm |
Philly Bill said:
That’s what you do for former presidents, though. At least there are actual, formal, codified rules for what you do when important people die (at least vis-a-vis flying the flag).
There IS no formal set of rules for what a league does when a player dies, or when a coach dies or an administrator dies (hell, or even when a president dies). I think the inconsistency is partially what people are on about here – though I DO think that I can see where the Taylor tributes could be seen as being excessive.
As for whether or not Taylor was playing at a Pro Bowl level in the nine games he played, I don’t know. I don’t know that I saw any Redskin games this year prior to Saturday night’s playoff game. So I can’t tell you. But people who HAVE seen more of their games have said he was playing at a very high level. Whether he’d have been a Pro Bowl player if he’d, say, missed the last 7 games with a hamstring or something, I don’t know. You’d have to check Pro Bowl rosters to see guys who were voted on despite short seasons to see if there’s precedent. But I don’t think Unitas and Brown are the best of comparisons.
Remember, Moody Blue was in stores when Elvis died, and his death didn’t propel it to #1 on the charts. It’s not always a death overreaction, though sometimes there is some of that.
#221 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 4:58 pm |
turning up empty in the big huge ear department, but perhaps Mr. Hruby would like to dress up like the mayor of baton rouge
/perhaps next hallowee’en, paul, you’ll don that chapeau?
#222 by KT on 01.08.08 5:00 pm |
You know what else is funny?
The people in Jonestown drank FLAVOR-AID spiked with poison, not Kool-Aid, though “drinking the Kool-Aid” has come to mean falling in lockstep with a cult-like leader or idea or movement.
Funny strange, not funny ha-ha, obviously.
#223 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 5:10 pm |
Dwight said:
i watched the game at the bar so volume was off, but i actually think that each kicker wore their actual jersey from when they were in college.
also, i remember saying to the other guys at the table, “and what genius at allstate thought a good halftime show would be a field goal kicking contest between alumni placekickers. why did they think that anyone besides the families of josh huston and david browndyke would be interested? and we need 2 more pitchers of miller lite.”
#224 by todd krevanchi on 01.08.08 5:11 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
so basically, this
http://static.flickr...
#225 by Brendan on 01.08.08 5:19 pm |
I would be better served to wear them when I play basketball but they are both shameful and unhelpful as far as touch goes.
#226 by Johnny O on 01.08.08 5:22 pm |
Rick From Cedar Park, TX said:
Shawne Merriman of the Charges still gets tons of recognition and defensive awards and pro bowl acknowledgments even though he was proved to be using steroids last year 9or was it the year before) and was suspended for it. He was even a starter in the pro bowl last year and the year before that even though he took steroids!!!!!!!
This, in my opinion is worse than the Bonds or any “steroids in baseball” discussions.
How can someone be convicted of taking steroids, and suspended for it, still make the pro bowl? And how do his stats of last year still count? He is a joke and should be on double-secret probation, fined heavily, and should have been suspended much longer than four games. Here is the article about the suspension. I can’t believe that a first offense is four games.
To make this uni related… i don’t like the Chargers new uni’s this year…aside form the white helmets. Those are sweet.
#227 by Carl on 01.08.08 5:23 pm |
OK – new topic, who else liked the LSU “halftime contest” kicker’s shoulder stripes WAY more than the truncated stripes the team actually wore?
Anyone have pics of this btw?
…the halftime kicking contest was great. Let’s hope that they expand on this with future games/bowls and the like. It would be sweet to see a NFL alumni one. I wonder if they could dig out Fuad Revez…
#228 by Brendan on 01.08.08 5:26 pm |
I would be better served to wear them when I play basketball but they are both shameful and unhelpful as far as touch goes.
I mean gloves of course.
#229 by Stuby on 01.08.08 5:29 pm |
todd krevanchi said:
So, not this?
#230 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 5:29 pm |
Brendan said:
good thing you clarified that…i thought you were referring to shorts
#231 by KT on 01.08.08 5:31 pm |
Johnny O said:
Same way you can beat your wife on Monday and play on Sunday. Same way you can be party to a double homicide and obstruct justice at one Super Bowl and be MVP of the next one. It’s just the way the NFL is.
KT said:
How you gonna make them NOT count? There is not one – not ONE – instance that I’m aware of where an NFL player’s statistics have been voided or covered up because of something egregiously wrong that he did. OJ Simpson still has 2,003 yards rushing for 1973.
KT said:
Collective bargaining is a funny thing sometimes.
#232 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 5:44 pm |
so…
what cap do you all think
jim ricegoose will wear for his HOF induction?#233 by BWings on 01.08.08 5:53 pm |
I have a giant ear costume, but unfortunately it has a #21 on it.
Just KIDDING. Now, can we get back to the uni-related discussion?
(I won’t ask why someone would need a “giant ear costume)
#234 by Bmuck87 on 01.08.08 6:04 pm |
I’m sure someone has already posted this but has nike come out with new football cleats and gloves on-line anywhere yet? I saw a lot of the players wearing the new gear for the bowl season and was wondering if anyone could post the link. Thanks in advance and sorry if it has already been posted.
#235 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 01.08.08 6:08 pm |
Robert said:
Whoa, mama
#236 by Swampy on 01.08.08 6:14 pm |
todd krevanchi said:
Do you really think that would ever happen? If you do, say hello to Dorthy and Toto too.
Maybe he could wear his jockstrap also.
Kevin said:
Thank goodness.
Rick From Cedar Park, TX said:
I agree with Paul on this one. He played 9 games. Lets start electing players to all the All-Star Games and Pro Bowls on their performance on patrial seasons.
Swampy said:
Bill Walsh and Lamar Hunt has done more for the NFL than Taylor could have ever dreamed of. He gets a league wide tribute and they don’t?
Swampy said:
Yes, who was the player that played with Pat Tillman and didn’t wear the #21 sticker because he thought it was inappropriate when Tillman didn’t get such an honor?
Swampy said:
Equipment managers are just monkeys for the players. If they were actually doing their jobs, there would be no need for the NFL Uniform Police. They could just tell the players “No, you can’t wear different colored chinstraps. “ Or “you will wear the socks that I put out for you and you will like it!”
Swampy said:
I think it is akin to the Vick tributes in Atlanta. Thugs like to run in packs.
Swampy said:
What good do they do??? The fines to NFL players are pocket change.
When they start taking Time Outs away, making the offending team kick off from the 20 yard line or making them play with 3 downs, this “Look At Me! Look At Me! Look At Me!” NFL will continue.
I am glad that television breaks away from the foolishness that these players do during their celebrations for routine plays.
#237 by Paul Lukas on 01.08.08 6:17 pm |
LI Phil said:
This topic is the subject of endless misinformation and/or misunderstanding. For the record: You don’t “go into the Hall as” a Yankee, or a Pirate, or whatever — you go in as a player (or manager, or umpire, or executive), period. The Hall decides which cap to depict on your plaque portrait — if any — based on the Hall’s assessment of which team you were with when you made your greatest impact as a player (which in Gossage’s case is obviously the Yankees). But the plaque will also list every other team you played for. The player has no say in the depiction of the cap; the teams have no say; MLB has no say; contractual stipulations (like the long-rumored clause that Canseco would “go in as” a Devil Ray) are moot. And no matter what’s depicted on your plaque, you can wear any cap you want (or none at all) at your induction ceremony.
Personally, I wish they’d show blank caps, because the debate on this issue is almost always really stupid, and it’s bound to get worse as more inductees come from the free agent era, with lots of bouncing around from team to team.
#238 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 6:28 pm |
sorry paul…i was just trying to piss off bosox fans…
i know the stipulations for HOF induction/ceremonies
/but perhaps this IS a topic for another day…
#239 by Stuby on 01.08.08 6:33 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Why depict them with a cap at all? The NFL HOF doesn’t do a bust with the guy wearing a helmet.
#240 by S.W.P. on 01.08.08 6:37 pm |
Team Sweden wore RBK jerseys to this year’s IIHFU18. They’re pretty much the same as Nike’s 2006 getup only a vertical blue stripe on the bicep that wasn’t on the Olympic team’s. Strange as it was everybody but Sweden (and one other team) to have those vertical stripes ruin their look in Torino.
#241 by KT on 01.08.08 6:42 pm |
BWings said:
RACK HIM!
#242 by Swampee on 01.08.08 6:50 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
Wasn’t it Boggs and not Canseco “going in as” a Devil Ray?
#243 by =bg= on 01.08.08 6:59 pm |
Johnny O said:
I remember the first logo t-shirt I had. Mid 70s, the old Puma design, the cartoonish cat, with PUMA superimposed. I sent away for it in the mail, some giveaway. My dad said, ‘are they paying you to wear that?’ He has always been prone to sarcastic remarks like that- I just laughed.
#244 by KT on 01.08.08 7:11 pm |
Swampy said:
You know, baseball does this EVERY year, right? Players get elected based on about half a season (or less). So we can’t START because it’s already happening. And, considering Pro Bowl balloting is over by (I believe) Week 12, you’re electing EVERYBODY based on a partial season. My guess is that there have been Pro Bowlers who haven’t died who have played partial seasons.
KT said:
We all knew they were going to die. Wrongly or rightly, someone who is taken suddenly who we consider to have “passed too soon” usually is considered more of a tragic hero than someone who dies of old age.
As for Lamar Hunt, even though he didn’t have to die before he saw it, the AFC Champion gets the Lamar Hunt Trophy every year. I’d say that’s a league-wide tribute. Hunt also died in mid-December. The league recognized it. The Chiefs recognized it.
KT said:
Cool. Fanboys know how everything works. Ever spoken to an equipment manager in your life? Ever been one? Ever spent any time with one? Have any idea whatsoever what their job is like? I’m guessing not.
#245 by KT on 01.08.08 7:16 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
That’s like the optimistic Ethiopian in the dinner jacket, isn’t it?
(It may have been Boggs, incidentally. Makes sense, considering his whole pissed-off-at-the-Red-Sox thing he had late in his career).
#246 by LynchMob on 01.08.08 7:16 pm |
I’ve got a Tony Gwynn nesting doll at my desk … saw it on eBay a coupla years ago and just had to have it … it’s hot his 1984 uni on outside, then ‘96 … then ‘98 … his 3 post-season years … nice touch.
Hmmm … typing into this comment box is sloooooow for me too today … but the web page seems to come up / refresh at normal speed …
#247 by KT on 01.08.08 7:22 pm |
Stuby said:
Probably because it’s hard to see their faces.
Not every Hall of Fame has to do things the same way. You can see a baseball player’s face with a hat on. You’re used to seeing and identifying baseball players with their hats on. In fact, they look odd when they DON’T have their hat on.
When the PFHOF started in 1963, I’m guessing they wanted to be different. Busts instead of plaques. The basketball hall in Springfield has a rotunda with backlit plastic squares with the inductees on them. The hockey hall has glass plaques in English and French.
#248 by Josh on 01.08.08 7:23 pm |
As far as I know, the Rangers were honoring Brian Leetch on Jan. 24. But as they return from a road trip tonight, Leetch’s No. 2 is already painted on the ice behind both goals. Anyone know what’s up with that?
#249 by Stuby on 01.08.08 7:24 pm |
LynchMob said:
Hmm. Seems like ‘98 would be on the outside, since that’s when he was at his most rotund.
#250 by KT on 01.08.08 7:25 pm |
And I’m going to guess I’m the only one here with nesting dolls from the Kansas City Comets and Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Just a guess.
#251 by S Dot on 01.08.08 8:02 pm |
Can someone explain all those numbers on the back of the OSU helmet? I know that one of them is for Tyson Gentry, how about the rest.
#252 by The artist formerly known as Matt Powers on 01.08.08 8:06 pm |
Hmm. Seems like ‘98 would be on the outside, since that’s when he was at his most rotund.
You beat me to it. “Newman”
I remember the first logo t-shirt I had. Mid 70s, the old Puma design, the cartoonish cat, with PUMA superimposed. I sent away for it in the mail, some giveaway. My dad said, ‘are they paying you to wear that?’ He has always been prone to sarcastic remarks like that- I just laughed.
By any chance, is your father’s name Phillip and does he hail from the New York metropolitan area?
#253 by The artist formerly known as Matt Powers on 01.08.08 8:07 pm |
I have a giant ear costume, but unfortunately it has a #21 on it.
In comedy, timing and context are everything
#254 by The artist formerly known as Matt Powers on 01.08.08 8:11 pm |
How large would the first nesting doll have to be if all of the the subsequent dolls were portraying Shawn Kemp’s illegitimate offspring?
#255 by Mike Engle on 01.08.08 8:23 pm |
And now for something COMPLETELY different…
I know it was linked to yesterday, but I had trouble opening it and couldn’t get the information. What do the color coded Fresno State doggie bones mean?
#256 by duker on 01.08.08 8:27 pm |
Anyone else watching the Holy Cross vs. Maryland game? The Terps are wearing some mustard yellow alternates. They’re not quite throwbacks, ’cause it’s the same pattern as their normal Frocks for Jocks but it looks pretty sweet.
#257 by Frankie on 01.08.08 8:33 pm |
KT said:
Yeah, it was Boggs. Once that rumor started circulating the HOF said that they take the decision of a player’s hat into their own hands.
#258 by Mike Engle on 01.08.08 8:36 pm |
Frankie said:
So how is Dave Winfield wearing a Padres hat? Mr. May or otherwise, there is little doubt for which team he was the most productive.
#259 by Kek on 01.08.08 8:53 pm |
Paul and everyone,
I was out doing some work in the yard and the outside of the house (enjoying this beautiful western PA weather we’re having!) and just wanted to say one last thing on today’s postings.
I wanted to clarify that of course, Paul has never said his opinion counts more than others nor has he said that differences of opinions aren’t welcomed. But sometimes perceptions exist and I can tell you that this is the case in here at times. Someone may have posted it before here, but I’ve also gotten quite a few emails from people discussing that some (not all) people take what Paul says as gospel.
Another point, and I’ve said it before both in emails directly to paul as well as posts in the blog, is the way certain opinions are stated. At times they are stated in a manner that makes them seem undebatable. For instance, the other day with Penn State’s uniforms and the opinion of a logo on the helmet or not. Paul used the NY Times/Comics analogy to if PSU put a logo on a helmet it wouldn’t be PSU. A few of us that disagreed were shot down immediately, albeit not from Paul, and with vicousness (I think one poster that disagreed was told, “well you’re wrong, don’t fuck with the uniform”). I don’t take that as honest/open debate!!!!
Full disclosure: I HAAAATE what Oregon has let Nike do to their uniforms… BUT… if someone would come in here with a well-thought out opinion as to why they liked the unis (and not just… I don’t know, I like them) they would be dismissed without regard.
Another thing I’ve noticed, it seems like when a heated topic of debate gets going (like today with Sean Taylor), if said topic gets more than 10 posts or so, people get all “let’s move on”. Isn’t this forum for healthy debate? I’ll agree sometimes we get off uni-topic but all-in-all, the topic of the Taylor memorial IS uni-related.
The cult stuff, I really don’t mean that literally, just being sarcastic. And Paul is right, this uni-world we live in IS cult-like because we’re a very small percentage of the general sports watching population. So yes, it’s a niche topic but it’s broad and not absolute. Within this niche topic are seemingly limitless topics of discussion and debate. You have four major sports leagues, numerous college sports and minor league/fringe major league sports with several teams within each league so there are a lot of different unis to discuss. It’s not as if we have an Iraq War blog where most people are either for or against the war.
I’ve always tried my best to be engaging in my disagreements with Paul and other posters. I don’t think I ever told anyone they were wrong or made a comment about being “insecure about someone else being smarter than they are”. That remark was more rude and arrogant than any “dittohead” remark that I made in the past (and from which I will refrain from making in the future and I’m sorry if I offended anyone in doing so, if I have that opinion in the future I’ll just keep it to myself)
I hope people don’t think I’m always trying to stir up arguments. I don’t disagree with Paul for the sake of disagreement. A lot of times I’m right there with him on both positive and negative praise. (The study of Dallas Cowboys’ uni quirk was A+ material.)
That’s all, I’m done being Uni-Watch Ombudsman (for today at least!). Thanks for listening!!!
#260 by Matt on 01.08.08 9:00 pm |
I don’t have a screen grab, but here’s a pic from the umd store of the alternate jersey.
big fan of the look
#261 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 9:38 pm |
Matt said:
here
#262 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 9:38 pm |
Matt said:
here
#263 by John Boris on 01.08.08 9:43 pm |
Just watched We Are Marshall for the 1st time. Did West Virginia really wear a decal of a green Cross and MU on the back of their helmets in honor of the 1970 Marshall team? Thought that would have been in Paul’s artical on ESPN about Uni Memorials if it is true. The only bad thing about that movie was it made Bobby Bowden out to be a good guy. Being a Penn State fan, I’ve always hated Bowden.
#264 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 9:50 pm |
heh…this is something i expected to see at the garden…
not the united center
#265 by Colin on 01.08.08 9:56 pm |
Sorry it is so late for the east coast crowd, but I bet the basketball player has an allergy to leather. I saw it when I was in jr high in MT. I don’t know what kind of gloves they are, but they prevent a reaction.
#266 by Stuby on 01.08.08 10:37 pm |
John Boris said:
I just watched it for the first time myself tonight. I was wondering if those adjustable mesh trucker hats were around as early as 1971.
#267 by Jeffrey on 01.08.08 10:51 pm |
The artist formerly known as Matt Powers said:
holy shit that’s funny as hell.
the first shawn kemp doll would likely replace the sears tower as the u.s.’ largest building.
#268 by u2horn on 01.08.08 10:57 pm |
Rick From Cedar Park, TX said:
and I would argue that Roy Williams shouldn’t be in the Pro Bowl because he’s one of the 3 or 4 worst safeties in the league.
#269 by u2horn on 01.08.08 11:04 pm |
Paul Lukas said:
If I’m not mistaken, though, the Hall used to always ask the player what hat they wanted to wear, and there was never an instance in which they contradicted the player’s wishes. My understanding is that the Hall committee or whoever it is, decided to tighten up their policy after Boggs’ rumored agreement was made public.
#270 by Bryan Redemske on 01.08.08 11:15 pm |
Stuby said:
Were those hats around? Yeah, but they were just called hats. The ‘trucker hat’ BS is new. When I was a kid, it was a huge find if you got a hat that WASN’T mesh. I spent years trying to find a fitted Cubs hat. Had my parents simply consented to drive me to Chicago, it probably would have been easier.
#271 by LI Phil on 01.08.08 11:16 pm |
what the hell do you need a giant ear costume for? NOW GET OFF MY DAMN LAWN!
#272 by Patrick on 01.08.08 11:18 pm |
Back in 2000 my friend and his wife went to Russia to adopt their son. I recall them bringing back a set of Russian nesting dolls depicting the Red Wings “Russian 5″. Alas, Google Image Search brings up nothing. However, here is a pic of some cool nesting dolls (look how many there are!)
http://upload.wikime...
#273 by Patrick on 01.08.08 11:31 pm |
Vote for the best BCS cheerleaders here ;-)
http://www.coedmagaz...
#274 by Jeffrey on 01.08.08 11:58 pm |
Patrick said:
hell yeah that georgia girl is busting right out of those bloomers!
#275 by Bill on 01.09.08 12:15 am |
KT said:
Sweet! If it’s old school Force, would there be one Kai Haaskivi there?
#276 by Casey on 01.09.08 12:16 am |
u2horn said:
I think this is correct, and Gary Carter wanted to go in as a Met because his grandkids wouldn’t know what an Expo was, but the Hall overruled it. That was the first time they played their “trump card,” I believe.
#277 by Jerico on 01.09.08 12:28 am |
Bmuck87 said:
Yeah, someone posted the 2008 style guide a few years ago, which included new versions of the Zoom Superbad, as well as the Speedtack V glove.
Speaking of new releases, here’s Michael Jordan with the Air Jordan XX3, from the press release today.
#278 by Jerico on 01.09.08 12:31 am |
Re: last post–few years…DUH! I mean few days ago.
#279 by KT on 01.09.08 12:40 am |
List of NFL players who have made the Pro Bowl since the merger in 1970 despite playing 10 games or fewer:
Player………..Pos.Team……….Year..GP
Willie Buchanon..DB..Green Bay…..1973…6*
Jeremy Shockey…TE..NY Giants…..2003…9
Sean Taylor……DB..Washington….2007…9
Harry Carson…..LB..NY Giants…..1983..10
Dennis Harrah….OG..LA Rams…….1985..10
John Offerdahl…LB..Miami………1989..10
Shane Conlan…..LB..Buffalo…….1989..10
Hardy Nickerson..LB..Tampa Bay…..1998..10
Orlando Pace…..OT..St. Louis…..2002..10
Donovan McNabb…QB..Philadelphia..2002..10
Willie Roaf……OT..New Orleans…2005..10
Joe Greene…….DT..Pittsburgh….1975..10*
*14-game season
Rare, but not unprecedented. Shockey made the Pro Bowl four years ago despite playing just nine games. And Willie Buchanon – man, I’ll bet there was an uproar about that guy only playing in 6 games, yet making the Pro Bowl.
As for dittoheads, no, I don’t blindly agree with everything Paul says. I happen to like purple, and I LOVE mismatched sleeves. In fact, I was considering sending Paul a holiday card with a picture of me wearing my 2006 Germany red long-sleeve soccer jersey, which has one red sleeve and one black, just to mess with him.
And Sorry, Bill – no, it’s not old-school Force. It’s only from 2005, the team’s last year. In fact, I only got two of the three dolls before the team folded and it was too late afterwards. It’s Jim Larkin and somebody else. The KC ones include a Jamar Beasley as the final doll and it’s smaller than but about as big around as your pinky.
#280 by Scott on 01.09.08 1:31 am |
hey, i’ve got a set of those dolls from the russian five era of the Detroit Red Wings that a nieghbor of mine picked up on a trip about 10 years ago.
#281 by Swampee on 01.09.08 1:42 am |
KT said:
Yep. I was a clubhouse assistant for the Mets during the early 1980’s during Spring Training, Extended Spring Training, Rookie League and the Instructional League.
In those days, the equipment manager gave the players what to wear. And that was it it, period. What he said was law.
And yes, today’s equipment managers are just monkeys for the players. Cowing to their egotistical whims.
#282 by KT on 01.09.08 2:00 am |
Swampee said:
Players weren’t making f-you money back then, either.
KT said:
I doubt they have a LOT of choice in the matter. Seeing as how management always going to side with players.
But, hey, you saw it done in the early 1980s. Who can compete with that?
#283 by Brandon on 01.09.08 3:16 am |
S Dot said:
I hate working 2nd shift. I answered this yesterday too.
shorter this time
23 is for Tyson Gentry
24 is for Ron Springs
99 is for Bill Willis
#284 by Brandon on 01.09.08 3:16 am |
S Dot said:
I hate working 2nd shift. I answered this yesterday too.
shorter this time
23 is for Tyson Gentry
24 is for Ron Springs
99 is for Bill Willis
#285 by Brandon on 01.09.08 3:16 am |
S Dot said:
I hate working 2nd shift. I answered this yesterday to.
shorter this time
23 is for Tyson Gentry
24 is for Ron Springs
99 is for Bill Willis
#286 by Brandon on 01.09.08 3:23 am |
sorry bout the triple i have no idea how that happened
#287 by LI Phil on 01.09.08 3:45 am |
LI Phil said:
i believe a Mr. Mitchell would like a word with you
#288 by Rick on 01.09.08 9:00 am |
Brandon said:
There was another number that you missed. In total there were 5 number stickers on the back, and obviously one was the player’s number, but there was still one more……
#289 by Mad Adam on 01.09.08 10:40 am |
3. What about the flag sticker? Why is that necessary. We spent how many weeks discussing LT’s helmet and if he did/didn’t wear it but I don’t recall a discussion of whether the flag being on the helmet is even relevant. Don’t we all know we’re in America? Why has the American flag become de facto on the backs of NFL and NCAA (and some HS) helmets?
Personally, I can’t understand why they took the flags off of the jerseys in MLB. I belive that every pro sports team based in the United States should have the flag somewhere on its uniform. Canada’s teams should carry their own flag.