Lance Briggs Issues Statement Regarding NFL’s Decision on 9/11 Commemorative Gear
The National Football League avoided a potential public relations nightmare, and more importantly, did what was widely considered to be the right thing, announcing Friday that players may wear special shoes and gloves that differ from official NFL equipment for Week 1 games. The move came a day after Lance Briggs, six-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Chicago Bears, sent out a picture of shoes and gloves provided by Reebok to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of 9/11. He then tweeted:
“Reebok great job on these gloves and shoes… looks like I'm getting fined this week. Lol!”
But the league, which normally enforces a very rigid uniform policy, said they do not “anticipate any issues”. The AP reported that Greg Aiello, spokesman for the NFL, sent an e-mail stating that, “We have extensive plans for Sunday to respectfully recognize the significance of the day.”
He added that, “Lance Briggs and all players will participate.”
After finishing up practice on Friday, Briggs declined to comment. He did issue a statement to me later in the evening which read:
“Thank you to the NFL for letting us go out on Sunday and honor those lives that were lost in 9-11, the servicemen who have lost their lives to protect our country and those soldiers who continue to do so.”
The gloves and cleats (which can be seen below) are a striking vision of the American flag, sporting colors of red, white, and blue, numerous stars, the date, 9.11.2011, and the words ‘Never Forget’.
Briggs, who was advised of the possible fine by Reebok, had anticipated that he could be paying as much as $5,000 for the gloves and $10,000 for the shoes. Those numbers might have been on the low end considering league history, however. ESPN has reported that two seasons ago, former Bengals wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco was fined $10,000 for nothing more than a chin strap violoation. Prior to that, the NFL threated to fine quarterback Peyton Manning $25,000 for a uniform tribute to the late Johnny Unitas.
Several other players had expressed their intent to wear 9/11 gear on Sunday, including Kansas City Chiefs running back, Jamaal Charles, five-time Pro Bowl receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, Reggie Wayne, Pro Bowl safety, Antoine Bethea, along with several other players on the San Diego Chargers.
Briggs and Wayne both indicated prior to the league announcement that this would be the “best fine” they had ever paid.
Wayne went into further detail saying, “That’s an important time in our life… I’m going to wear it, and wear it proudly.”
Charles sums up the importance of players being able to express their own personal tribute on the ten-year anniversary of 9/11.
“I never forget”, he tweeted.
The NFL, to their credit, has no intentions of forgetting either. Despite the flap over the tribute gear, the league had already announced that all players on Sunday will have a patch on their jerseys featuring a ribbon with stars and stripes along with the dates "9/11/01" and "9/11/11." In addition, coaches, personnel and staff will have pins featuring a similar ribbon.
But the NFL was right in getting this issue resolved prior to game day. Now there will be no controversy to concern players or fans on Sunday. Football will be played, the fallen will be remembered, and our servicemen and women will be honored.
What could be a better tribute than that?
Rusty can be contacted via Twitter @rustyweiss74
Photo Courtesy of Lance Briggs @55berger
Photo Courtesy of Jamaal Charles @jcharles25
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Comments
I understand the marketing importance
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:13am.
of wearing the proper and prescribed uniform during games; even though it seems a little crass at times. But the NFL is a business, and other businesses contract with the NFL to supply and promote their products. However, on this day, of all days, some level of tolerance should be accepted and it's nice to see the NFL bend appropriately.
Purely from a business standpoint, the players and the NFL missed a real marketable opportunity here. If they hadn't spent all summer arguing over nonsense, finishing up just in time get the full allotment of games in, they could have created a special uniform jersey for each team. It's uniquely fortuitous that the 10 year anniversary fell on a Sunday and the 1st Sunday of the new season. All the pomp and pageantry is already in place, even without the added spectacle of the 9/11 memorial. A commemorative jersey, in the same vein as the throwbacks several teams wear each year, would have been a great souvenir for football fans, and a great way for the players and the NFL to show their respect and appreciation for the day. But, as is common during these times, labor disputes must take precedence. Shame.
Kind of sounds like a non-issue
Submitted by Einstein on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:22am.
The NFL has historically allowed for uniform substitutions commemorating noteworthy issues. Ever see an NFL player wearing pink shoes and gloves? That would be for breast cancer awareness. Now that opening day lands on 9/11, most likely the one day of the NFL season where more Americans are thinking about something more important than football, it's only appropriate the NFL allows for the alternative gear.
I'm betting MLB will bust out their stars and stripes caps as well.
♡ Einstein
Einstein
Submitted by Rusty Weiss on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:28am.
Good point. The difference though with the breast cancer awareness uniforms was that, I believe, it was something that the NFL agreed to do themselves. This 9/11 commemorative uniform was started by the players themselves, along with Reebok. Traditionally, the NFL has frowned upon that. One scenario is the Johnny Unitas tribute that Peyton wanted a few years ago.
Rusty
Please follow me on Twitter @rustyweiss74.
I believe you're right
Submitted by Einstein on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:45am.
On a side note, are these not the ugliest shoes and gloves you've ever seen? It's like Reebok raided the old zubaz factory and just went crazy...
♡ Einstein
The issue
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:29am.
is sanction.
Of course
Submitted by Einstein on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:48am.
And the NFL would look like a bunch of dicks for sanctioning any player over this specific issue. Thinking Goodell with his head mounted on the staff of ra, paraded through the streets of NYC over chants of "never forget."
♡ Einstein
What the hell
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:20pm.
are you talking about?
What the hell do you think I'm talking about?
Submitted by Einstein on Mon, 09/12/2011 - 9:45am.
Americans would have Goodell's head if he were to sanction players for commemorating 9/11. Was my point missed?
♡ Einstein
Good for the NFL
Submitted by Boudin on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 10:25am.
Cant remember the last time I agreed with them.
Dont mess with Briggs!
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 11:02am.
I think he just wanted to get suspended, so he wouldnt have to play for the Bears, which is why he held out this training camp, right? I wonder how much Reeboks paying him?
Ummm.....
Submitted by Timothy H on Sun, 09/11/2011 - 4:53pm.
Briggs didn't hold out of camp. He played until he was sidelined by an injury. The Bears traditionally will not allow a cemented starter back on the field in the preseason after an injury, and the six-time pro bowler certainly fits that bill.
Briggs requested a trade after the Bears refused to restructure his deal, but he has no leverage and he knows it, which is why there was no holdout.
As to pay, I doubt anything. Briggs is a stand-up guy who is generally a vocal leader for the team and is often out front on issues like this. I've been covering a sports journalist covering the Bears for major websites for years, and Briggs is certainly the kind of guy to take a fine over this for the sake of his beliefs.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. -Albert Einstein
And for blonde:Some days it just doesn't pay to chew through the restraint. -Timothy H