Adults wearing team jerseys

[Runscott]

There was an interesting ESPN Sportscenter segment today, concerning appropriateness of adults wearing team jerseys.

Anyone have thoughts on this? I recently acquired a game-used Dallas Cowboys jersey that fits me like it would fit a Cowboys player, except my gut is a little bigger. Obviously, even to me, wearing this in public with my gut would be inappropriate, but how about after another 10 pounds worth of sit-ups, and only to a Cowboys game?

Everyone in Seattle is wearing Seahawks jerseys, no matter age, condition, gender, etc. So Linda Cohn can bite me. Really, I would let her, but she would have to wear a bridle.

[nolemmings]

It's not for me, but I have zero problem with other people of whatever age wearing them. I own and have owned jackets and shirts with team logos on them, but have never personalized it to someone's number. Just doesn't seem right to me, and that would be true if I were svelte and cut rather than in the body by Budweiser that I currently occupy. FWIW, I never have asked for an autograph from someone younger than me either, although I rarely seek autographs period. Just seems kinda creepy awkward.

[Runscott]

I also feel kind of weird asking guys younger than me for their autograph - I've asked a few professional runners, but no 'big 4 sport' athletes who were younger than me.

But I will be getting Paxton's autograph, as I have a ball pitched during his MLB debut, and it's screaming for his autograph.

[MyGuyTy]

IMO, Autograph seeking is completely out of the question for adults by themselves. Now if you have your kids with you, it's different.....ask away for them. I'm also not the jersey wearing type. Give me a nice team logo shirt, hat, jacket, hoodie etc. but waking around sporting a jersey with some guy's name and/or number just isn't for me personally. The problem with jerseys of current players is 9 times out of 10 that player will eventually be traded away or sign with another team, then you're stuck with a worthless out of date jersey.

[drcy]

Wear a jersey if you a want. It's a free country. Why did ESPN say it was inappropriate?

I would never ask a celebrity for an autograph, but that's me.

[JBird]

Originally Posted by MyGuyTy

IMO, Autograph seeking is completely out of the question for adults by themselves. Now if you have your kids with you, it's different.....ask away for them. I'm also not the jersey wearing type. Give me a nice team logo shirt, hat, jacket, hoodie etc. but waking around sporting a jersey with some guy's name and/or number just isn't for me personally. The problem with jerseys of current players is 9 times out of 10 that player will eventually be traded away or sign with another team, then you're stuck with a worthless out of date jersey.

Couple of questions here. So if you were alive and older than say Babe Ruth in 1927 and you met him you wouldn't have asked for his auto unless you were with a child??? Whats the difference between you being a fan and a child being a fan? Also, whats the difference between a jersey and any other pair of clothing going out of style or being worn out? people don't wear the same clothes they wore a couple of years ago for the most part. not trying to be rude but your logic doesn't make any sense to me. You are allowed your opinion by all means but to say something is out of the question is a little ridiculous.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by JBird

Couple of questions here. So if you were alive and older than say Babe Ruth in 1927 and you met him you wouldn't have asked for his auto unless you were with a child??? Whats the difference between you being a fan and a child being a fan? Also, whats the difference between a jersey and any other pair of clothing going out of style or being worn out? people don't wear the same clothes they wore a couple of years ago for the most part. not trying to be rude but your logic doesn't make any sense to me. You are allowed your opinion by all means but to say something is out of the question is a little ridiculous.

For me the difference between 1927 and 2014, asking for an autograph as an adult, is that in 1927 adults asked for autographs as fans while in 2014 many of them ask for them as dealers. I would be embarrassed that the people around me and the player would associate me with other adults who are not getting the autograph as a fan.

But I have to admit, I was even a little embarrassed asking for autographs after the games as a 14-yr old back in the early '70s, primarily because there were lots of younger kids around me who were unable to get to the player, either from shyness or smallness, and players weren't making any effort to get to the little kids. I had to get most of my 7-yr old brothers autographs for him.

[MyGuyTy]

Originally Posted by JBird

Couple of questions here. So if you were alive and older than say Babe Ruth in 1927 and you met him you wouldn't have asked for his auto unless you were with a child??? Whats the difference between you being a fan and a child being a fan? Also, whats the difference between a jersey and any other pair of clothing going out of style or being worn out? people don't wear the same clothes they wore a couple of years ago for the most part. not trying to be rude but your logic doesn't make any sense to me. You are allowed your opinion by all means but to say something is out of the question is a little ridiculous.

This question was pretty much answered before, HUGE difference between 1927 and 2014, not only with the players themselves but the fans as well. Autograph seeking wasn't a "business" back then. People of all ages showed up to ball parks and players would HAPPILY sign autographs for everyone, because they kept them and cherished them. Today autographs are BIG business and it rubs the current athlete the wrong way when a 40-50 something year old man is standing with a bunch of kids and he has a handful of balls to sign......gee I wonder what he plans on doing with them?....

Almost everything being done today is scrutinized because money has destroyed pretty much everything that was once innocent. Guys like Lionel Carter couldn't even show very many people his baseball card collection for fear somebody would steal it or possibly worse maybe kill him for it. I stand by my opinion that in today's society and culture with too many people ruining everything, I would still not run up to an athlete, movie star, musician etc and beg for an autograph, not happening. In my profession, I've come in contact with so many celebrities I couldn't even keep track of who I have met. If some of you guys knew how these people felt about being hounded by "fans", you have a much different take on it, let's leave it at that.

As far as jerseys go.....nope still don't wear them. Don't really care if other people wear them since I don't dress everybody, but for ME, it's still out of the question

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

It's not for me, but I have zero problem with other people of whatever age wearing them.

Pretty much the way I feel too.

[AgonyandIvy]

I lived in Boston for 15 years and I swear more persons wore sports gear than suits and ties. In fact in Boston, wearing a sports jersey or a sports team jacket/coat out anywhere in town is like dressing up. I wore my satin blue Cubs Team coat for over ten years and got treatment like it was a Burberry.

I have a buddy from Boston living in the Atlanta area. When the Sox play there I go down there to see them at Turner; I think we spend almost a week planning out which individual gear we're each going to wear for each game.

[Jim65]

I'm 48 and I wear my Devils and Mets jersey when I go to games.

I never watch ESPN and couldn't give 2 shits what anyone there thinks about anything, period.

[Prof_Plum]

I'm not into wearing jerseys. But then, I'm also a Chicago fan who lives in St. Louis.

[basesareempty]

I have no problem with it except for the dorks who have their names put on a players jersey. I personally think its stupid.

[Jayworld]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

I have no problem with it except for the dorks who have their names put on a players jersey. I personally think its stupid.

Guess I'm a dork, then.
And proud to be one!

I collect game used Padres jerseys, and no, I don't put my name on them or alter them in any way (other than washing them…some GU collectors don't wash their jerseys, and that's a matter of preference).

I do have 1 jersey with my name on it; I also collect former SWC football jerseys. I am friend with the former equipment manager at SMU, and I bought several GU jerseys from him over the years. One I purchased had never been worn in a game and was brand new with no nameplate, so he created a nameplate for me, which I thought was cool. Hence, my dorkiness…

I have no problem with fans wearing jerseys, or adults wearing jerseys, or adults asking for autographs. Not sure if the side topic was sports autographs or any autographs, but I used to also go to local Sci-Fi and com icons and get autographs from current and former TV and movie stars, and I am as old as they were in some cases. I've also gotten autos in-person (as an adult) from Darrell Royal, Jackie Sherrill, Grant Teaff, etc., and they have no problem with it and were glad to talk and visit about the old SWC….

Not sure where ESPN is going with this; I think just enjoy your hobby. That's why there are penny sleeves, protective sheets, card savers, hobby boxes, TPG, etc. so that everyone in the hobby can store/view their cards the way they choose. Likewise for jersey and GU collectors….

[EvilKing00]

I don't wear jersys, (unless im playing) & have never asked for an auto.
I have no issue with adults who do, its just not something I would do.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

I have no problem with it except for the dorks who have their names put on a players jersey. I personally think its stupid.

The irony calling someone a "dork" for wearing a jersey with their name on it - on a baseball card forum - is not lost on me. We are all dorks.

[steve B]

Wearing Jerseys has become mostly acceptable for adults. Especially the souvenier jerseys. I'm not sure I'd wear a game used Jersey around, although I did wear the one I own as a Halloween costume one year.

Wearing team jerseys used to be very frowned upon in bike racing circles. The idea being that it took some serious ability to earn one. Early team and club ones were almost like biker gang jackets.
By the late 70's there were some team replicas for fans, and with the 7-11 team being big in the US by the late 80's the marketing value overcame that resistance.
But you'd NEVER wear a championship jersey - Not the TDF yellow, WC or Olympic stripes, none of that.
The US team jerseys looked similar to older national championship jerseys, and there are some period replicas from the early -mid 80's.

Eventually the marketing value of the jerseys became enough that now any fat middle age wannabe can wear the world championship rainbow stripe without much teasing. Maybe the odd look from those of us who still believe those stripes NEED TO BE EARNED......But that's a shrinking group. (I'm one of them)

Steve B

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I can't imagine why wearing a team jersey would be inappropriate. I'm 27 and wear jerseys during the season. Although I do get a few looks since I am a Vikings fan and live in New Orleans.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I have a Randy Moss Vikings jersey and I love it. I wore it every Sunday for years even after he was traded. He was a great player for my favorite team and that never changes.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

It seems that the people with opinions on this issue have very strong ones.

[freakhappy]

I guess it depends on how old you are and where you live?? I tend to see many adults wearing them freely, usually in sports bars, but I think it's more appropriate in there and see nothing wrong with supporting your team...not sure where the sad part comes in at all. Jerseys are a big part of the sport and for fans to enjoy and it helps get them closer to the game and their favorite player. I agree that some people don't look too flattering in them, but I don't care and I'm not judgemental towards what other people decide to wear as long as it's not offensive.

But overall I'd have to say that adults wearing them in their 20's-mid 40's are pretty strong. You don't see a ton of guys wearing jerseys when they hit north of 50...they must be too lame or too cool!




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