UCLA football players picked from five messages -- Justice, Love, Peace, Equality and UnityGETTY IMAGES
More than half of UCLA’s football team "will wear one-word messages on the back of their jerseys" when the team opens the season at Colorado on Saturday in an effort to "promote social justice," according to Ben Bolch of the L.A. TIMES. The players picked from "five messages -- Justice, Love, Peace, Equality and Unity -- they chose to place on their jerseys where their last names usually go." Other programs have adopted similar messages, but "few, if any, teams have had as many players participate as the Bruins are expected to during their nationally televised game against the Buffaloes." The idea "originated with UCLA’s squad leaders, who brought the concept to coach Chip Kelly before he sought approval" from AD Martin Jarmond. Players who opted "not to participate will wear their normal game jerseys." The jerseys featuring messages "will be worn for just the opener as part of UCLA’s seven-game, conference-only schedule." Bolch notes Colorado "has its own social justice messaging planned, with the Buffaloes expected to wear pregame warmups and a helmet decal with 'CUNITED' to play off CU being the school’s block logo" (L.A. TIMES, 11/5).
