Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, July 16, 2015
You're gonna want to get your hands on this poster! Team to hand out 6:45pm @ Colonnade Way, HUB & College/Beaver Ave pic.twitter.com/5w6Bsen5Vu
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) July 16, 2015
The nameplates are no more for Penn State football.
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The team announced Thursday morning that they are removing players' surnames from their jerseys to pay homage to the history of the program and return to the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years.
Penn State added the nameplates during the 2012 season, when then-head coach Bill O'Brien made the much-talked-about change to honor the players' resolve and dedication to the team and the University following the NCAA sanctions.
Here's what head coach James Franklin said in a release:
"For 125 years Penn State proudly followed a very simple idea: "Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game."
In 2012, for the first time in the program's history, names adorned the back of the jersey to forever identify the men who stayed loyal, sacrificed & chose to play for this institution during the most difficult of times. The 2012 team, permanently recognized in Beaver Stadium, will hold an enduring place in our program's history. Their commitment will never be forgotten.
However, it's time we bring back the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years. We are a strong family, playing for one goal, one university and there is only one name that truly matters, Penn State.
We Are."
The Penn State family seems pleased about the decision:
#Tradition Time to get back to the basics! Take the names off! Good job @PennStateFball @penn_state http://t.co/s2RUjOEZ0b
— Michael Robinson (@RealMikeRob) July 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/ben_kline38/status/621702075509047296Black Shoes. Basic Blues. NO NAMES. All Game. #WeAre
— Graham Zug (@G_Zug_5) July 16, 2015
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game. By far my favorite @PennStateFball slogan. #Tradition #PennStateProud
— Beng (@BigBENGTheory7) July 16, 2015
#WeAreBack #BlackShoesBasicBlues #NoNamesAllGame #Tradition #TheLastSix pic.twitter.com/bow561105f
— Coach Matt Zanellato (@mzanellato) July 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/ANelson59/status/621688575747342337 https://twitter.com/angelomangiro66/status/621681407019061249My Facebook status the day I committed to join the greatest family I have ever known. Honored to bring this back pic.twitter.com/hngGOUQI5r
— Derek Dowrey (@doubleDowrey) July 16, 2015