State your case: Should teams be allowed to utilize the American flag into uniform designs?
NO
By Emily Duke
Northwestern’s football team recently teamed up with Under Armour and the Wounded Warrior Project to design patriotic uniforms in honor of our nation’s soldiers. The uniforms are to be premiered at the Wildcats’ home game Nov.16 against Michigan, just a few days after Veterans Day.
These uniforms have caused quite the controversy, with people questioning whether it is right to use the image of the flag in an athletic uniform. It is not.
In the official United States flag etiquette ratified by Congress, it states “No part of the flag should ever be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.”
While I admire Northwestern’s desire to represent and honor the servicemen of our nation, in accordance with the etiquette of our flag, they are going about it in the wrong way.
I believe Americans in general lack respect for the symbols of our nation.
American men and women fought for our right to be free, and the flag is a symbol of that freedom. No one would ever suggest cutting up a flag to make a football uniform, so why is screen-printing the pattern of one onto a uniform any different?
Being tackled and smeared into the ground is not giving the American flag the respect it deserves.
– mled94@gmail.com
Twitter: @emily_seamqueen
YES
By Brad Ferguson
Football is to America as fry sauce is to Utah. Both fit perfectly where they are. Before every kickoff, we honor our country with hands on hearts. A tri-colored symbol immediately draws our loyalty and emotion.
On Nov. 16, Northwestern will extend and encompass this patriotism on the field with once-in-a-lifetime uniforms from Under Armour.
Adorning an American flag design on the helmet, shoulder, gloves, and shoes, Northwestern will bring awareness to the non-profit organization known as the “Wounded Warrior Project.”
Players will wear expressions such as “duty,” “courage,” “country” or “service” on their uniforms. Along with drawing attention to the WWP, they’ll be auctioning the uniforms and donating every dime to the charity – if you’ve seen them, you’d buy one too.
The pattern is under scrutiny from skeptics who perceive this red, white and blue to be ugly, tarnished and disrespectful. Northwestern spokesman Paul Kennedy addressed the patriotic colors as a representation of “a flag that has flown proudly over a long period of time.”
Those in opposition to these stars and stripes have strung arguments that they “find blood” on the uniforms, skewing the real message.
If you’re worried about seeing Old Glory on a uniform, remember the cause. It’s not a jab at Uncle Sam. Who else has honored America with their uniforms?
Boston College, Texas A&M, Hawaii, U.S. Olympians, Iron Man, Wonder Woman and every female’s favorite Avenger, Captain America. This awareness-making, charitable idea is as American as baking apple pie at a baseball game.
-brad.ferguson76@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradferg47