The Grizzlies yesterday unveiled an alternate uniform honoring Martin Luther King Jr., and the color is a "somber black, both understated and respectful," according to a front-page piece by Geoff Calkins of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. The typeface of the word "Memphis" derives from the "historic sign at the Lorraine Motel" where King was killed. The uniform piping "replicates the railing and balconies of the motel." The sea foam color that accents the uniform is the "same color as the doors of rooms 306 and 307." A wreath in the center of the uniform "represents the wreath that hangs from the balcony at our most tragic and challenging civic landmark and symbolizes the hard work that remains to be done." Yesterday's uniform unveiling was the "climax of a 'bridge of opportunity' discussion hosted by the Grizzlies at the National Civil Rights Museum." It came in the "wake of the decision by the NBA to move the Grizzlies off the MLK Day schedule and instead give them a nationally televised game on Sunday, Jan. 15." The uniform "was part of the strategy, part of the effort to remind the league what the franchise is all about." Grizzlies G Vince Carter said, "We consider this MLK Day game our game. ... Regardless of what day it's played on, we believe this is our game." Grizzlies coach David Fizdale: "We're going out into the community the next day. We're going to do what Dr. King set out for everyone to do" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/15). In Memphis, Michael Sheffield notes every inch of the black uniforms "will have a specific meaning related" to MLK and his assassination in Memphis. In addition to the MLK Day game, the Grizzlies "will also wear the uniforms during select games during February to commemorate Black History Month." The Grizzlies Den "will begin selling the uniforms Jan. 1" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/15). The FanSided Twiter feed wrote, "So many alternate jerseys feel cluttered and clumsy. But the @memgrizz's MLK tributes are truly poignant and poetic." SB Nation's Grizzly Bear Blues feed: "The Memphis Grizzlies and National Civil Rights Museum got it right." NBA writer/podcaster Dan Clayton: "Consider me a fan of the Memphis MLK jerseys -- both the sentiment and the outcome" (TWITTER.com, 9/15).
