Several local entities are giving away or selling fake mustaches in honor of Minshewgetty images
A Washington city had to rename a planned festivity around Washington State QB Gardner Minshew due to the "controversial system of 'amateurism' in college sports," according to Brent Schrotenboer of USA TODAY. The Colfax Chamber of Commerce had begun to promote "Gardner Minshew Days" in which local businesses would "give away fake mustaches" in honor of the Heisman Trophy candidate before Friday's game against the Univ. of Washington. However, the chamber recently "received a cease-and-desist notice from the NCAA rules compliance staff at WSU," as it was using Minshew's name and likeness in marketing material. The event, which "changed its name to 'Mustache Madness' and removed his photo," is still taking place this week and "still references Minshew on its website, just not by name." The website states, "We are honoring our favorite WSU quarterback by giving out FREE mustaches." The Colfax Chamber is not the only entity to walk the line, as a Pullman-based sporting goods store this season has "sold fake mustaches for $2 each but has no photo or mention of Minshew, thereby complying with NCAA rules." Meanwhile, WSU is capitalizing on Minshew's mustache by "mailing media members fake mustaches with instructions to 'vote for Minshew'" for postseason awards (USA TODAY, 11/21).
