[pbmax542]

Why are the Sooners not sporting their names on the back of their jerseys this year? My wife guessed that it was because they are playing for the team this year and not themselves, but I couldn't find anything about it on-line.

[Lefty Noob]

Hi, pbmax542, and welcome to GoTeamsGo! Thanks for joining us. I haven't heard anything official, but yes, usually when they drop the name from the back of the jersey, it's a statement that team comes first. I imagine the decision probably came shortly after the Bomar incident, as a motivational tool, but if anyone hears anything concrete, please post it for us, okay? Thanks!

[AZAggie]

It is a coaching gimick. A&M did the same thing a few years back, I think during Fran's first year. Our results were less than spectacular.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Hi, pbmax542, and welcome to GoTeamsGo! Thanks for joining us. I haven't heard anything official, but yes, usually when they drop the name from the back of the jersey, it's a statement that team comes first. I imagine the decision probably came shortly after the Bomar incident, as a motivational tool, but if anyone hears anything concrete, please post it for us, okay? Thanks!

I think it might have a opposite affect if in part it breaks the bonds between player and fan...

[epic37311]

Originally Posted by pbmax542

Why are the Sooners not sporting their names on the back of their jerseys this year? My wife guessed that it was because they are playing for the team this year and not themselves, but I couldn't find anything about it on-line.

I recall reading several years ago, as I cannot remember the source, that teams will not put players name on the back of jerseys so there is less individiality. Not sure if it works, but I agree with Gotham on it might break the seperation the fans have with the players.

We associate players with names not numbers. I cant recall a tellacast where #27 and #26 made great plays.

[AZAggie]

Originally Posted by epic37311

I recall reading several years ago, as I cannot remember the source, that teams will not put players name on the back of jerseys so there is less individiality. Not sure if it works, but I agree with Gotham on it might break the seperation the fans have with the players.

We associate players with names not numbers. I cant recall a tellacast where #27 and #26 made great plays.

However, if they are good, do you really need a name on the back of the jersey? I mean everyone in Dallas knows that #12 was Roger Staubach and #22 was Emmit Smith.

[epic37311]

Originally Posted by AZAggie

However, if they are good, do you really need a name on the back of the jersey? I mean everyone in Dallas knows that #12 was Roger Staubach and #22 was Emmit Smith.

How many years was each player wearing that # compared to the 3 or 4 years a colligate player will wear them.

[AZAggie]

Originally Posted by epic37311

How many years was each player wearing that # compared to the 3 or 4 years a colligate player will wear them.

Quite a few, I must admit. However, if you are a true fan, you don't need to see the name on the jersey to know who the player is underneath it. I was at A&M while Bucky Richardson was the QB. #7 flashing down the field trying to run over LB's is what I see when I think of him.

[Kasey Kahne 9 fan]

It end ups being good for jersey buyers the player advances to the NFL or any path he chooses the number will probably be used again

[MJHMarc]

And you know what? Reggie Bush ended up with #25 and still played well. Could you imagine if he really got #5? I would only think of an extra 20+ yards out of motivation.