View Full Version : CO school district won't allow high school football team to honor fallen soldiers on jerseys
newracer
08-22-2015, 16:54
Both of my sons are on this team. My older son is a senior and has participated in all the events and I am friends with Lt. Col. Randy Russell.
It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/21/colo-school-district-wont-allow-high-school-football-team-to-honor-fallen/
A school district in Colorado denied a high school football team's request to honor the military by wearing the names of fallen service members on the back of their jerseys, saying it would open the door to similar requests from other causes.
Lt. Col. Randy Russell, a veteran and parent of a student at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, Colo., spoke out Friday about the school district's decision.
"I don't see this as just another cause," Russell told FoxNews.com. "I see it as an opportunity to honor the very people that have provided us the freedom to have this very discussion."
Right on, Lt. Col.! Leave these kids alone and let them honor real heroes. I think it says a lot that your sons are passionate about this. I hope you win this battle cause it is worth the fight.
Bailey Guns
08-22-2015, 17:29
Typical of schools in CO these days. Patriotism is a non-starter for most administrators.
hurley842002
08-22-2015, 18:00
Typical of schools in CO these days. Patriotism is a non-starter for most administrators.
Yup, I can't get out of here quick enough! Between stuff like this and the metro traffic these days, I'm over it, the positives no longer outweigh the negatives for me. Hopefully in a year or two, before my kids start school.
JohnnyDrama
08-22-2015, 21:57
This kind of bugged me. Don't know why....
I'll try to explain....
Football jerseys are a uniform in and of themselves. When I read this post my mind went down the rabbit hole of name verses number on the jersey, blah, blah, blah.... Anyway, I think the space on the back of the jersey should be reserved for the person wearing the jersey. If you children want to honor veterans on their jerseys they should find a different way. This opens a whole can of worms that is just that. We really don't want to go there. I recently drove across a bridge named to "honor" Pvt. Manning. Having spent time with combat engineers maybe you can imagine the thoughts that went through my mind....
Bailey Guns
08-22-2015, 22:05
To me, it's not just this latest incident. It's the prevailing attitude about the country in general and the values that once made our country great. They're just no longer important and it seems schools are a breeding ground for that type of thinking. This is just another example. Not saying it's a school's responsibility to teach children values. But it wouldn't hurt if they reinforced them a little bit.
RblDiver
08-23-2015, 09:03
What pisses me off is that half of the respondents to the Coloradoan poll about it were OK with the decision to forbid them from having the names on the jerseys.
I agree with JohnnyDrama in that I see no problem with honorinng the fallen, but a specific event seems more appropriate. When every other game or event or building or park bench is in dedication to something, it might as well just be advertising; and people will start to ignore it the same way.
I doubt most of us would complain if schools just did schooling.
jhood001
08-23-2015, 10:30
I would be all for this, but it would potentially open a door that couldn't be shut. How long before some of the student body got a petition going for rainbow colored jerseys? Or some other group wants to show support of Palestine with a flag stitched on the shoulder?
I hate to say it, but leave the jerseys alone.
hollohas
08-23-2015, 10:45
That's a standard policy no matter what the cause. When I played HS football in CO, we wanted to wear arm bands to honor a coach of ours. It's wasn't allowed. That was over 15 years ago. The uniform policy is what it is.
It's great the athletes want to honor these men and women. There are many ways they can do that. Posters with the names of the fallen pasted all over the stadium and walls inside the school would be one way that I'm sure would be allowed. A special presentation during halftime or before the game. A fundraiser for a charity. They can easily come up with an honorable and approved way to give thanks to patriots.
I see your point, but would be interested to see if they WOULD be allowed to paste the names of the fallen on the stadium or school walls. Anymore I'm not certain they would get approval. Sure would like to see it happen.
I would be all for this, but it would potentially open a door that couldn't be shut. How long before some of the student body got a petition going for rainbow colored jerseys? Or some other group wants to show support of Palestine with a flag stitched on the shoulder?
I hate to say it, but leave the jerseys alone.
I'd be willing to bet if the request was for <insert favorite politically correct cause here>, it would have probably been allowed. Honoring terrorists, FSA martyrs or pick your sexual preference poster child is politically correct and even considered "courageous". Honoring fallen military members who sacrificed everything for this country, or showing even an inkling of patriotism, is generally frowned upon as discriminatory/inflammatory/bigoted. While I agree with leaving the jerseys blank to keep the door shut for all, it is a sad commentary about our nation when doing a truly honorable thing is forbidden. If this was brought up during say WWII, there would have been no controversy and every jersey would have been proudly adorned with the names of heroes.
As far as honoring someone/something goes, slapping a name on a shirt while you do what you usually do is about lazy as it gets. Just another perspective.
hollohas
08-23-2015, 10:53
^ I would too sroz.
Newracer, perhaps you can suggest to your sons, the team, the cheerleaders, the coaches, the boosters and anyone else make hundreds of posters to hang on the stands, the halls by the locker rooms, the halls where fans walk in to the game, the chain link fences, etc. Dedicate a Friday night to honor KIA. Bring in an honor guard for halftime. If the school prohibits that, then IMO we'd have reason to be angry.
PS - ideas get shot down all the time. It's part of life. Teach the kids that when they get shot down, to keep at it. To come with a new idea and keep fighting. Try a new approach. This could be a good life lesson.
As far as honoring someone/something goes, slapping a name on a shirt while you do what you usually do is about lazy as it gets. Just another perspective.
Honoring someone, or an ideal, doesn't require some massive and complex ceremony to be meaningful. Sometimes the most modest of acts can have deep meaning to the one doing it. I think someone who has the name of a fallen son, father or friend tattooed on their body while doing what they usually do would highly disagree they are lazy about their honoring. Are you going to tell that person who has a simple gold star service flag in their window that they are lazy in their remembrance? Just another perspective.
Honoring someone, or an ideal, doesn't require some massive and complex ceremony to be meaningful. Sometimes the most modest of acts can have deep meaning to the one doing it. I think someone who has the name of a fallen son, father or friend tattooed on their body while doing what they usually do would highly disagree they are lazy about their honoring. Are you going to tell that person who has a simple gold star service flag in their window that they are lazy in their remembrance? Just another perspective.
No I wouldn't, just as I wouldn't tell someone who has a sticker with someone's name and their birth-death dates is being lazy. I suppose a better way to explain would be to incorporate hollohas' last post. If you truly want to honor someone, then do it. Placing a name on a jersey is not the only way, and if that idea gets shot down, find another way.
Jumpstart
08-23-2015, 12:42
wait a sec, this town is named after a fort.....
No I wouldn't, just as I wouldn't tell someone who has a sticker with someone's name and their birth-death dates is being lazy. I suppose a better way to explain would be to incorporate hollohas' last post. If you truly want to honor someone, then do it. Placing a name on a jersey is not the only way, and if that idea gets shot down, find another way.
Agreed. Nothing would stop these kids from taking time out in the locker room to read the names aloud and have moment of silence for them. And that act, while not public, has just as much meaning - maybe even more.
The school district can still suck it. Their reasons, while appearing impartial, we're simply a convenient excuse for denying a politically incorrect ideal. I stand by my assertion that if the request was for something more mainstream social, it's likely a different decision would have been made. When the administration agrees with something it is amazing how quickly all the proper exceptions to various policies are filed and approved.
I can't say that I disagree with you there mutt.
RblDiver
08-23-2015, 15:36
As far as honoring someone/something goes, slapping a name on a shirt while you do what you usually do is about lazy as it gets. Just another perspective.
They've done much more than just wanting to "slap a name on a shirt."
From the Coloradoan http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2015/08/19/high-school-football-military-uniform/32009203/
"Coach Brian Tinker required his team to undergo military training and education, including CrossFit activities and a rock walk. In addition, every player was required to research the family and background of a deceased member of the armed forces."
An update, they've managed to get it so that a name is placed under their American Flag patch (if I'm reading this right).
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2015/08/22/fossil-ridge-military-patch/32218809/
And as for worrying of the potential for opening the door to rainbow jerseys et al, I know this is idealistic and not realistic, but is it too much to ask for common sense? Couldn't the school district accept this as a good cause, and reject other ones?
I know, I know, ain't going to happen unless the country undergoes a vast shift, but I can dream.
^^^^ The country has already undergone a drastic shift. That would be the problem. I still cannot believe we are dissecting this as we are.
newracer
08-23-2015, 19:34
To clarify they were going to have the names on the jerseys for just one game, military appreciation night, not for the whole season. The jerseys also have some digital camo on them.
The kids have already done a lot in private as a team to honor these soldiers and learn their stories. This was a way to bring the attention of the general public.
The district has decided to allow a small flag patch with a solders name to be place above where the players name would be.
For those that say it would open the door for other "causes" I think your wrong. No one brought this idea to the team, this was generated by the team. The team wanted it, not the school body.
jhood001
08-23-2015, 20:27
For those that say it would open the door for other "causes" I think your wrong. No one brought this idea to the team, this was generated by the team. The team wanted it, not the school body.
Doesn't matter who brought it forward. Once the precedent has been set, every champion for an XYZ cause that wants to stir up some shit or challenge the status quo will start barking for equal representation for THEIR cause in a publicly funded school activity.
These young men are doing something for the right reason. And it is awesome. But in the world we live in now, there are a zillion 'right's activists that want to do similar things for their reasons... plenty of them are highschoolers who have seen just how much attention you get when you push the envelope on a controversial issue. Transgender males wearing dresses to prom anyone?
I believe that its possible that your belief that 'this time is okay' is because a squared away bunch of highschool football players isn't likely to ask to do something in the future that jives against our general beliefs around here. And that would probably be true right now. But there are no guarantees in the future.
However, I respect your opinion.
I'm glad they got the patch. I wish they got what they wanted in its entirety. I just fear the consequences of deviating from traditions that haven't yet been hijacked by our politically correct culture.
And I agree that it is insane that we even have to consider the possible outcomes of situations like this. But I can also guarantee that someone with beliefs much different from yours and mine are also already considering it. They can't wait to have a precedent that will help them see their name in a news article and their face on CNN.
newracer
08-24-2015, 08:39
A good article about how this started and what the boys have done to honor and learn about the fallen soldiers.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2015/08/23/fossil-ridge-military-football-uniforms/32236853/
RblDiver
08-26-2015, 15:57
Aaaaand the district again says no. http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2015/08/25/high-school-football-military-uniform/32334137/
Great-Kazoo
08-26-2015, 16:08
Aaaaand the district again says no. http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2015/08/25/high-school-football-military-uniform/32334137/
There's no need to try and "figure out" what their rational is. Especially when you consider this tidbit.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2015/08/25/fort-collins-looks-boulder-inspiration-warnings/32311261/
newracer
10-10-2015, 14:23
District held their ground so they will be wearing undershirts.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc129/newracer/F010294D-D3A4-494B-BFD4-300E8A1DB644_zpsvykrkcpf.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/newracer/media/F010294D-D3A4-494B-BFD4-300E8A1DB644_zpsvykrkcpf.jpg.html)
There will be a pep rally next Wednesday
Scott & Sadie Morning Show on 97.9 Big Country radio station is hosting it.
It will be next Wednesday, Oct 14 at Thunder Mountain Amphitheatre (located by the Harley Davidson store off of I-25)
Doors will open to the public at 6:30. There will be a live band, we have not gotten details on which band yet.
The Patriot Guard is making an appearance at the Pep Rally as well as the game the next night!! For those not familiar with the Patriot Guard, they are the Harley riders that show up to block protestors at veteran's funerals. This is really cool they are taking part in this and will definitely be a sight to see.
We will start to rally with our Fallen Hero Tribute and then the Cheerleaders will kick off the Pep Rally for the Team!!
This should be a great night! We hope to see all Football families there and please spread the word to friends, neighbors and family!! This is open to the entire community!
We also have shirts that we will be selling to the community with ALL of the Fallen Heroes names on the back. Those will be available for purchase at GoJo's this Thursday. We will also have some for sale in the DECA store at Fossil Ridge for easy access to students and Faculty at school. We will also be selling them at the game. They will sell for $15 each. All profits from shirt sale's will go to the fund that was set up for Military Appreciation Night - The Fallen Hero Remembrance Fund.
Lt. Col. Randy Russell was on the Scott & Sadie show this morning to help promote our event! Below is the link to that conversation. You need the iHeart Radio app on your iPhone (it is a free app).
http://www.iheart.com/show/139-Scott-and-Sadie-in-the-Mor/?episode_id=27357508
Aloha_Shooter
10-10-2015, 14:40
I think the problem I have is that the administrators and bureaucrats and much of society in general can't seem to make the logical distinction between honoring fallen soldiers and honoring some hoodlum who died charging a police officer after committing assault and battery or paying tribute to some other politically-correct social cause. Once upon a time, nearly everyone in society could tell something was BS and say so.
newracer
10-10-2015, 20:42
Shirts are selling for $15
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc129/newracer/A0F34258-0BCD-48A5-9E1B-2F1F3D543D63_zpsidbgfpy0.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/newracer/media/A0F34258-0BCD-48A5-9E1B-2F1F3D543D63_zpsidbgfpy0.jpg.html)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc129/newracer/EB137D83-8232-495F-A1FE-1DB2599F0B52_zpsk77bc1wb.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/newracer/media/EB137D83-8232-495F-A1FE-1DB2599F0B52_zpsk77bc1wb.jpg.html)
buffalobo
10-10-2015, 20:58
Any way to purchase the shirts online? We would like to support the team and Fallen Heroes, just not much chance of making it to any of the events.
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2015, 21:00
Do sizes of shorts run normal, or is a X-Large for double extra fat people.
newracer
10-10-2015, 22:17
There is no online option as of now. I will ask though. I can also have my son pick some up. PM me if you want one.
They seam to run normal sizes.
newracer
10-10-2015, 22:24
They plan to warm up with no pads on so the undershirts are visible. Then right after the game the will all remove their pads.
newracer
10-11-2015, 09:05
No online sales, maybe next year.
You might be able to call Gojo's and order one over the phone.
BushMasterBoy
10-11-2015, 13:27
Not suitable for work...DO NOT CLICK if you work for libtards!
https://explicitshirtstore.com/image/cache/catalog/data/T%20Shirts/ZZ9CTS%20FuckObama/fuck%20obama%20t%20shirt%20pro%20gun%20rights%202n d%20amendment%20clothing%20(3)-800x800.jpg (https://explicitshirtstore.com/image/cache/catalog/data/T%20Shirts/ZZ9CTS%20FuckObama/fuck%20obama%20t%20shirt%20pro%20gun%20rights%202n d%20amendment%20clothing%20(3)-800x800.jpg)
newracer
10-14-2015, 21:29
It was a great night. Lots of emotion. Awesome fly over by a C-130.
My sons post of FB tonight.
It's easy to play for for yourself and the brothers next to you. But tomorrow we play for not only each other but for each and everyone of the men and women who sacrifice their lives everyday to protect this country. Not only those currently in active duty, but also veterans and those who have passed. There are no words that can describe the gratitude and emotion that we as a team feel for you. US
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc129/newracer/12072699_1007769762623875_2487508357295790269_n_zp sskywm0r4.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/newracer/media/12072699_1007769762623875_2487508357295790269_n_zp sskywm0r4.jpg.html)
newracer
10-14-2015, 21:32
Thomas Frazer is my father in law that my oldest barely knew, he was almost 2 when when my father in law passed.
Ryan Macintosh is a family friend that lost a leg in Afghanistan, I have posted about him here.
Darrik Benson is the soldier my son gets to honor.
It's really nice to see young people being passionate about those who've made sacrifices for their futures. Give your son a firm handshake for me.
To me, it's not just this latest incident. It's the prevailing attitude about the country in general and the values that once made our country great. They're just no longer important and it seems schools are a breeding ground for that type of thinking. This is just another example. Not saying it's a school's responsibility to teach children values. But it wouldn't hurt if they reinforced them a little bit.
Some of us do try... I'm fortunate enough to have great administration and am able to to do the stuff like the Appleseed shoot and fly a flag in my room, etc.
newracer
03-28-2016, 10:12
Coach was fired on Friday, speculation is that it was due to military night.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/03/25/brian-tinker-fired/82273910/
Team protests and delivers letters of support to district, my son is front center with the yellow CSU hat on.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/03/28/fossil-ridge-students-protest-tinker/82338036/
Aloha_Shooter
03-28-2016, 12:46
Coach was fired on Friday, speculation is that it was due to military night.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/03/25/brian-tinker-fired/82273910/
Team protests and delivers letters of support to district, my son is front center with the yellow CSU hat on.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/03/28/fossil-ridge-students-protest-tinker/82338036/
There are times when I'm glad I never met Ms. Right and don't have kids ...
Why not just take the time before every game to list out all the names of the fallen In a pre game tribute? I'm all for supporting our troops and the honorable men who have given their lives for what enjoy in our day lives. Maybe have them sport the POW/MIA or yellow ribbon on their jerseys but to list names I think would just be to much on a jersey. It not like this would be the first time a team did a tirbute patch on a jersey.
newracer
03-28-2016, 17:46
Each player was to have a single name on the their jersey in place of their name for one game.
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newracer
04-01-2016, 17:52
Local sports writer says coach and students were bullied (http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/04/01/fossil-ridge-football-coach-psd-brian-tinker/82524708/)
If the entire team decided to not play next year, and the high school lost the whole football team, and all the money it brings in, that's be a message that got heard. I doubt anyone had the sac to do that though, which is a shame since it wouldn't hurt the players at all to do so.
newracer
04-01-2016, 20:36
It would hurt the players. There are at least two kids (seniors) that are Division I college prospects.
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blacklabel
04-01-2016, 20:37
Is high school football self supporting? I can't imagine it is.
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It would hurt the players. There are at least two kids (seniors) that are Division I college prospects.
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Would it be possible that they could play else where?
newracer
04-01-2016, 21:18
Is high school football self supporting? I can't imagine it is.
Sent from my LG-D851 using TapatalkNot even close.
Would it be possible that they could play else where?Nope, if you transfer you have to sit out a year before you can play.
It's really crappy what the school district has done.
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