John Clay:
In his basketball notebook a couple of weeks back, Jerry Tipton wrote about the issue of schools selling jerseys with numbers that often correlate to the most recognizable players on the team. The players themselves receive no money from the sales. The story included UK AD Mitch Barnhart saying, “I think there are very few iconic players anymore … Our coaches have sort of been our icons, if you will.”
Jay Bilas, long-time critic of the practice, tweeted out a link to a story Tuesday from The Lantern in which Ohio State will sell only jerseys with two numbers this season. The Buckeyes will limit sales to No. 1 and No. 15. The school said past sales show No. 1 is the most popular jersey number. And No. 15 is being sold because this is the 2015 season.
Ohio State said any other inference is just a “coincidence” according to the article.
Rick Van Brimmer, assistant vice president for Affinity Trademark Management, said that it is merely a coincidence that two team standouts in redshirt senior quarterback/H-back Braxton Miller (1) and junior running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) sport the two number choices that are represented.
My University of Kentucky football jersey, the one I wear when I watch games, is #11. 2011 is the year that Kentucky broke their 26 year losing streak against the University of Tennessee (with a wide receiver playing QB for the first time since high school). Just sayin'.
