Penn State football players will no longer have their names on the back of their jerseys the program announced on Thursday morning.
The decision to remove the names from the jerseys was — according to a news release — made to pay homage to the history of Penn State football and return to the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years.
Names had been added to the jerseys during the 2012 season as Bill O’Brien looked for a way to honor the players who stayed with the program through the toughest years in its history.
James Franklin and several Penn State football letterwinners met with members of the current Nittany Lion football team on Thursday morning to inform them of the change.
“For 125 years Penn State proudly followed a very simple idea: “Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game,” Franklin said in a statement. “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.”
Franklin is scheduled to speak with the media at 5 p.m. Thursday.
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