DISCUSS: No names on Utah Football jerseys – instead they’re putting messaging

[Tony (admin)]

The Ute jerseys Saturday will have one of these seven words: equality, unity, together, peace, love, hope, enough.

[dystopiamembrane]

It makes me feel very warm inside.

[kazute]

Ummm… TCU 2010?

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deseret.com%2F2010%2F11%2F6%2F20151268%2Futah-utes-football-rolled-by-tcu-47-7&psig=AOvVaw0HXDXsXBjenVxqQp-gea5G&ust=1605925920158000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLjc5LeKkO0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

[PhillyUte]

No you don’t understand. That was all about military worship and “loving your country” and if you don’t like it then you are a dirty commie. 

[gUrthBrooks]

It’s all fine until PEACE gets thrown out of the game for targeting. 

[Utesbyfive]

Meh.

[UteBacker]

I’ll second your “meh”…

[RiseasUtes]

No issues with it, it’s a very non aggressive way to get their message out.  Not sure why anyone would have a problem with it.

[CB]

Cause it’s cringe and unnecessary, and doesn’t make any racists go “WOAH!!!! LOOK!!! I’m going to stop being racist now because that football players jersey says EQUALITY on it!”

And I’m a pretty die-hard fan, but even for someone like me in a year like this when half of our starters are new, I want to know which player made that f***ing play, but instead I get to play a guessing game on who did it.

“HOLY S***! HOPE just pressured the quarterback and then somehow, HOPE teleported to the endzone and became a saftey and intercepted the ball! How did HOPE make 4 plays in 1!?!?

[RiseasUtes]

Wow, I didn’t expect someone to throw a baby fit.  I’d rather have the players names, but it’s really not a big deal.  Do the announcers not name the players that make the plays?  Maybe turn the volume up.

[CB]

Poor job of deflecting, tell me how I’m wrong. You can’t.

[RiseasUtes]

Tell you you’re wrong for having a difference of opinion?  I won’t tell you you’re wrong, I just don’t agree that’s its an issue.  The names will most likely be back next week, I’m guessing this was a team decision for this week and I support them.

[CB]

Again, if you refer to my first comment, I never said it’s an issue. I specifically said it’s cringe and unneccessary. It’s literally pointless, and just like Stone said, it’s virtue signaling and pandering to the max. Seriously, putting “UNITY” on a jersey will literally have ZERO effect on the world and what happens in it.

Side note, my original comment was mostly humorous, looks like most of the board members understood that and upvoted accordingly. I’ll point this next one out for you (more humor incoming):

When I turn on the Utah/USC game, I just want to watch college football, not the Democratic National Convention.

[RiseasUtes]

Maybe I’m just excited that it looks like we are actually trending towards playing a game and was less worried about what we are/aren’t wearing while playing.  Which is why I just don’t see the big deal to begin with.  If we can get 5 games out of this season and stay relatively healthy I really won’t care what is worn on the uniform.

FYI, I agree that I don’t think having Unity on the jerseys will change anything, but if that’s what the players want and decide to do together, then it works for me.

[UtMtBiker]

Id love to see you argue your point of it being “cringe, unnecessary, and pointless in the team meeting where the team and coaches made the decision.

[Central Coast Ute]

Riseas, this was a team decision. That’s the main reason I don’t have a problem with it.

[UtMtBiker]

This choice in itself isn’t intended to change everything. It’s a small piece of a larger movement for social justice and unity. It’s the sum of the small actions like this that contribute collective social impact. Do you honestly think they are trying to cure racism by changing the name on their jerseys? Haven’t you ever wondered, is there anything I can do to help? Your over simplification of a very complex problem, is what I did to be truly “cringe”. Others are looking for even the smallest way to contribute to a better future where everyone feels safe, respected, and equal but you don’t want to be bothered by looking up a players name?

Maybe it’s time to chill with the knee jerk reactions to something purely because it’s change. Having to look at a roster to know who made a tackle is a sad reason for hating on a teams decision to show unity and support for a serious problem the country has been facing for far too long. If this makes them feel good about contributing, even in a small way, I’ll support them and gladly keep my team roster open on Utehub during the game.

[Stone]

To me, it’s virtue signaling nonsense. It’s an insult to fans – because aren’t they essentially saying that there are a lot of people watching the game that need to hear that message? Are there really loads of fans watching the game that are anti-peace, anti-hope, anti-love, and anti-equality?

Then again, California politicians recently pushed a constitutional amendment that would have made racial discrimination legal (fortunately, it was soundly rejected by voters), so I guess there are people that still need to hear the message.  

[PhillyUte]

Were you this passionate about not having names on the back of the jersey during the 2010 TCU game? When ever someone complains about “politics” in sports, I usually just laugh because it’s those same people who get angry at the “anti Americans” for kneeling during the anthem, nevermind that the anthem is only before all NFL games is because the DoD pays the NFL to do it. So much for getting rid of politics during sports right? 

[CB]

How is playing the national anthem of the country you live in political?

[Charlie]

Always nice to have the players names because the announcer does not provide all names for every player on the field. Makes you have a roster on your phone if you are interested in who is who.

[Tony (admin)]

The roster is available on the Ute Hub app. 🙂

[Dallas]

How am I gonna tell who’s who? If there are no names we better play without helmets so I can see their faces.

[Tony (admin)]

I will try to straddle the line with my comments. That’s one sad thing about a subject like this, is if you say the wrong comment, one side or the other will cancel you.

I get that the players want to stand up for something honorable. Great. Fine. I also get the side of the fanbase that wants to just enjoy sports without being preached to or told how bad they are.  Before someone says that the word “unity” isn’t saying how bad they are, it’s implied.

What happens is one half of the aisle says, “geez can’t we just play football,” and the people on the other side say, “what an asshole. He’s against peace, love, and unity.”

It seems like doing this kind of thing divides people more than it unites them.

[Tony (admin)]

Wow. I impress myself:

[Utesbyfive]

I’m not sure what enough is supposed to mean. That’s my only complaint.

[Utah]

They explained it in their video. 

[dystopiamembrane]

Sometime ago, UHers determined that only the left side cancels. It was not clear as to what the right side does. It’s definitely not canceling, though.

[PlainsUte]

They need these names: Distancing, Masks, Hygeine, Tracing, Quarantine, Fauci, Vaccine, etc 

[Utah5410]

My 2 cents. Players want to do it fine. I’m glad they want to support an ideology that makes them happy. But as Tony said. I really just want to turn on one sporting event without a team player making it political and yes the statement “brought” and “equality” is political. I was much more supportive of the Utes March on capital hill or registering players to vote. Encouraging others to vote. For this I just want to watch football. The NBA really turned me off this past year with all of there pandering. And i support there sentiments, but my hell. Sports really is an avenue to escape reality. It’s a game. And it should be an event that brings EVERYONE together. Ive always loved the comradiory of the teams. Especially Utah with there diversity. That to me shows more “love” “respect” etc than seeing it on the back of jerseys. For This game no cares. I’m just excited to see football. I just don’t want to be a regular thing.

[PhiladelphiaUte]

I don’t like it.  We have an entirely new Offensive and Defensive backfield.  And it’s Game 1.  This is not the best way to introduce our new team.

[Ben]

I’ll still be watching

[Charlie]

I will watch but football will be at it’s best when it is just football. It’s hard to get an update on the radio on football without unwanted opinions about subjects I have never felt I have been involved with. With everything we have had to endure this year we need to be able to go to a place free of emotional vibes.

[Brettski]

There’s no going back IMO

[Utah5410]

I disagree. Continue on this path and many people will be turned off. Not emotionally invested. Like I said above. I understand for the first game. But this better not continue to be a regular thing. 

[PhillyUte]

You would honestly stop watching Utah football games if they continued to do this? Holy s**t, how snowflakey of you. 

[SkinyUte]

If there’s one constant in the universe, it’s the “How dare they invade my sports safe space!” crowd whining at even the slightest social awareness effort by athletes.

This was a team decision to promote an issue they feel is important, and to do so in way that literally has no effect on your life.

You’ll survive for a week, I promise.

[Tony (admin)]

People survive water boarding. Just sayin..

[bopahull]

It’s OK with me now lets play some UTES football. GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!

[UtesRule]

Who cares! I just want to see some Utah football! Go Utes…Beat SC!

[chunkyMcNuts]

If you don’t agree with all of the SJW stuff getting thrown in your face all the time, I would highly suggest reaching out to not the school–but the sponsors. Speaking from a source I know, the Jazz were facing some massive corporate pressure from sponsors after all their political pandering. Certain big time donors and sponsors were not happy with the heat they were getting from customers for being directly related with that political stunt.

In a climate where colleges are about to be hurting big time financially, if the pandering bothers you try to reach out to some of the corporate sponsors and ask if they support the messages they are being coupled with without consent. Chances are they will align with the U of U, but you never know. America First, Smiths, Young Living, Nextiva, and UPS are corporate sponsors.

This is what happened at Kansas State. They removed their SJW messages after massive blowbacks from donors who threatened to stop their financing. If you disagree with what I’ve said that’s okay, this is America and we’re allowed to have opinions.

[Tony (admin)]

In the current America you’re not allowed to have an opinion or 50% of the population will cancel you.  Now, if you could englighten me, what is SJW? 

[chunkyMcNuts]

Sad but true unfortunately! I just like to remind the thought police occasionally that it is still America and people are allowed to have opinions even if they don’t like it. Cancelling people is just stupid. But SJW just means social justice warriors.

Also I should note that I’m one of the people that is sick of having this stuff shoved down our throats every single day. We get it.

[SkinyUte]

If you don’t agree with all of the SJW stuff getting thrown in your face all the time, I would highly suggest reaching out to not the school–but the sponsors.

I just like to remind the thought police occasionally that it is still America and people are allowed to have opinions even if they don’t like it. Cancelling people is just stupid.

The irony in your two statements here is overwhelming.

[PhillyUte]

It’s always been like this, not just “current America.” Just ask the Dixie Chicks what happened when they dared to have an opinion about the Iraq War and George Bush. If you think that SJW’s are the only group capable of “cancelling” people, you are mistaken. 

[Central Coast Ute]

I think we can all benefit from those things right now. I’m all for it.

[EagleMountainUte]

At this point it isn’t unity what the progressives want. They want compliance and power. 

California progressives attempting to abolish civil rights law just shows you their true intent. 

The real question: Is Utah football on the side of a progressive agenda?  Yeah I feel like they are with this pandering and virtue signalling. Even though these messages should be 100% agreeable to everyone. 

[PhillyUte]

Yeah I remember those progressives who cancelled the Dixie Chicks, Gilette, Starbucks, Kaepernick, the NFL, the NBA, NASCAR… How dare someone not stand up during the anthem, everyone should be forced to stand and declare how patriotic they are is a common progressive talking point about compelling everyone to stand. Lol do you think it’s only progressives wanting things a certain way in this country or are you just upset because you don’t like when “your team” doesn’t have the power to call the shots? 

[EagleMountainUte]

What aboutism is wrong. Cancel culture is wrong. Tribalism is wrong. 

As far as the Kaepernick narrative goes I disagree with how you frame those facts. NASCAR is facing the consequences of framing a false narrative in the media in an attempt to virtue signal. 

Most people SHOULDN’T disagree with anything on the back of Utah’s jerseys.  I don’t disagree with anything being printed at all. But actions speak louder than just the words. Framing it in a belief of why can’t you unify. Why can’t you hope for peace. Why do you oppose BLM. Do you hate black people? No it is the power and belief that I should comply that is wrong.

Critical thinking requires more than what aboutism and cancelling people. Having free and open discussion matters more. 

I can look at progressive movements though critically and say it is wrong. Socialism and communism which is the direction many progressives want to go is wrong. The problem in America is we never cleansed that from our culture. I am more concerned about a gulag camps being created because of lack of compliance than white nationalism. 

[PhillyUte]

If “gulag camps” are ever created by progressives (I guess by me because I’m a dirty progressive), then I will personally throw myself in one because it’s not happening, more fear mongering. The reason I bring up Kaepernick is because you mentioned “compliance.” It’s wasn’t progressives wanting to Kaepernick and others wanting to comply and stand for the flag. If you don’t stand for BLM, I don’t assume you hate black people. I feel like cops get away with a s**t ton in this country and need more scrutiny because they do a dangerous job and when something goes wrong, people can die, but that doesn’t mean I hate cops. If your job deals with human lives, you better damn well believe there should be more scrutiny when you f**k up. 

[Central Coast Ute]

Let’s not forget the Japanese Americans that were thrown in concentration camps during WW2. FDR was actually a very progressive president. Did the cop in your city who justifiably shot a man chasing him with a knife do something wrong? If not, why did Philly burn?

[PhillyUte]

What does FDR have to do anything. Do you actually think that progressives today are in favor of interment camps for the Japanese? I mean, I already know what Michelle Malkin thinks about those camps and she sure as hell is not a progressive. I don’t live in Philly anymore, but I’m pretty sure Philly was already burning before this incident, and no, I don’t think the cop was in the wrong. 

[Central Coast Ute]

I only bring up FDR because it’s happened before and it can happen again. Today, I don’t think progressives are in favor of putting Americans of Japanese decent into concentration camps. However, I do believe that many progressives are in favor of some sort of re-education for people who the don’t find acceptable. Take AOC and her “list of Trump sycophants” remarks for an example. Or Democrat National Committee member David Atkins calling for Democrats to “start thinking in terms of post-WWII Germany or Japan” in order to “deprogram 75 million people.” If there’s a better explanation for that, I’d like to know.

[EagleMountainUte]

Communism and socialism always leads to ruin. No need to convince me otherwise. It has it’s utility obviously if you think the same way as those in power. 

Gulag Archipelago should be standard reading for every child to graduate high school across America. We have to end this love affair with totalitarian idealogues. 

[Author]

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