The Stories We Wear—Jersey Day

With the Bruce-Mahoney football game coming up on Friday, September 25, it’s Spirit Week! Students and teachers are subject to free to dress all week, provided we wear school colors or follow the theme of the day.

I looked over the list, taking inventory of what might work from my wardrobe. And then I saw it: Jersey Day.

I had a decision to make. Shamrock Series or Niner Faithful? 

I went with ND 2026 Shamrock Series as I'm hoping there will be a chance
early in 2027 when the whole school wears Niners gear ;-) 

Once I made that decision, I made another one: this might be my favorite day of the school year.

I love Jersey Day.

Walking through the hallways, my eyes feasted on a glorious assortment of colors and numbers, teams and sports, all represented by one deceptively simple article of clothing. Some jerseys were brand new. Many had clearly been around the block. There were a few archaic gems, a handful of head-scratchers, and more than a few that made me stop and think: Really?

But that’s what I love about jerseys. They tell stories.

A jersey can tell you who someone cheers for, where they’re from, what they remember, who they admire, or what they once dreamed of becoming. It can connect us to a team, a player, a city, a school, a family, or a particular moment in time. And on Jersey Day, you get to wear that story.

When one of my students walked in wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey—I was not surprised. He is his father's son; Connor wouldn't wear anything but the Birds. The jerseys of other students however prompted inquiry. Why the Baltimore Ravens (Ray Lewis)? What's the connection to the Cincinnati Bengals (Joe Burrow)? Their answers didn't vary. They too are bound to the teams of their parent(s)' and their family roots. Sure there were a few tall tales, but by and large I heard some great stories.

In class, we shared the story of the Bruce Mahoney rivalry. I asked my students "Why does it matter? Does it?" And "Why is it an important tradition?" I try to tell them they have inherited something super special in such a renown, historic athletic contest. 

We began with prayer in remembering the lives of Bill Bruce and Jerry Mahoney. We addressed how the tradition had changed in 2021 by including girls sports—with volleyball and basketball making it into a contest of three wins out of five to keep that regal trophy. And we concluded class time with an on campus scavenger hunt—requiring students to search for signs and symbols of the Bruce Mahoney past and present.

The joy of this day found a full circle moment as I mentioned the now forgone tradition of football players giving their jersey to a teacher or counselor at the all school pep rally. I have written about this gesture—what it meant to me and my colleagues many times. In the same way that you can't put a price on a tradition like the Bruce, you can't underestimate what receiving a jersey meant to the person who received it. I felt bound to that young man in a way that is timeless. 

No athlete wears his or her jersey forever. Some jerseys hang from rafters; a select few are retired. But jerseys do something else: they capture a person in a particular place at a particular moment in time—sometimes a season, an era, or, if we're lucky, a lifetime. Stories have unfolded from them. Others are still waiting to be told, so listen up and lean in. Enjoy.

What I learned from a football jersey... (Part II)

There are some creative and interesting terms to describe Catholics who attend mass twice a year. The most popular is "C & E" but recently I heard a friend refer to this demographic as "Chreaster Catholics." Hmm, are they also known as "Eastmas Christians?" Regardless, I love both a packed house and that many still recognize high holy days are important. I also appreciate it when presider welcomes these folks in a special way. I remain hopeful that something will stir in their hearts to return the following week...and the week thereafter...

representative of two Christian holidays.

What prompts a person to attend Sunday services regularly? I can tell you why people don't ,but there a number of compelling reasons why they do as well. For example, one may have a special role in the liturgy; they may serve as a lector, usher, greeter, altar server or Eucharistic minister. Perhaps their parish is an important community in their lives—a spiritual home away from home. Others attend because it is one of God's commands. Jim Emerson put it this way: I attend Mass like I'm 6'1." It's who I am and what I do. A student once humbled me when he admitted he attends because if he did not, he would miss the eucharist. A mystic in my midst! But if I were trying to convince a C & E Catholic to return to the fold, my reason might come from a lesson I learned through an unlikely gesture—the jersey ceremony, in an unsuspecting place—the pep rally.

A very telling and profound measure of Catholic practice; is this surprising to you?

As mentioned in "Pope Francis on the "Memory of Grace....and a Football Jersey" at the school where I teach, we have a tradition known as the "jersey ceremony" that takes place at the pep rally before the Bruce Mahoney football game. Each senior on the varsity football team honors a teacher of their choice with their uniform. They thank their teacher and share why they want them to wear their jersey at the game. This was a meaningful experience for me because it served as an invitation to pray for the young man whose jersey I got to wear. But what was more interesting—culturally and sociologically—was the reaction from my colleagues who also received the uniform.

The day of the Bruce Mahoney game is high energy for students. We all make small talk and ask "are you going to the game tonight?" This is the one football game a good percentage of students and faculty attend. Ask anyone who received a jersey and a common response is the more often than not, "I wasn't going to go, but I need to now."

One of my favorite photos. Joe (#2) gave Bobby his jersey. A proud moment (and Joe had a killer game!)

This is fascinating to me. Over 5,000 people fill the stands at Kezar Stadium for this game of rivals. I can guarantee that the athlete on the field will not see the teacher in the stands wearing his jersey. The community that supports this football player—his parents, family members or friends and classmates may catch a glimpse and take a mental note, but maybe not. 

I'll speak for myself here. I go because I want to represent that senior football player. I feel honored to do so. And, I want to cheer for the team just a little more. I think my coworkers feel the same way.

And what did I find? I was touched by how many people said "Congratulations!" and "what a great kid!" Wearing #75 was an invitation to talk about a special student and to ask my colleagues about others. 

This experience gave me pause to think how we might be different if we went to Mass with a similar mindset. What if we attended Mass because we feel as though we have been given something special?...as though we want to honor the One who gave it to us? Ideally our pastor and members of our community would notice that we are there, but the motivating force remains: we go because we believe it's important to do so.

And from the other perspective, I have heard so many football players share their frustration that more people don't attend their games. They wonder why (more) students don't come out to cheer for them and enjoy the contest. "It's fun! They don't know what we they're missing." I know these young men feel as though they work hard. Support from the fans means a great deal and makes playing that much more fun. 

This insight and perspective also let me to wonder what the priest, choir and all those involved in the planning of the liturgy must feel. I'm sure the celebrant would rather preside to an attentive crowd; I imagine the choir would rather not be the only voice in the church. Perhaps those who love the Mass believe that many just don't know what they are missing...but they do. They are missing Christ in word and in flesh..and in one another.

Who knew that a simple football jersey could invite so much thought on who we are and what we do. Perhaps in 2014, you will attend Church services more regularly or perhaps it will be with a new mindset. Or maybe you will go to a high school sporting event that you had never been to before. Someone will notice...even if they don't, you will. I look forward to hearing what you see and learn. Enjoy!

Photo Credits
flowers
CARA study
Bobby & Joe at the Bruce: used with their permission!