After Northwestern football team’s special Veterans Day jerseys sparked controversy for their design, the athletic department clarified on Tuesday the uniforms’ intent to be patriotic and benefit wounded veterans.
The design came under fire for its red and blue splattering pattern over the American flag on the helmets and gloves, which some saw as resembling blood. The Cats will wear the uniforms for their Nov. 16 game against Michigan, after which the uniforms will be auctioned to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a service organization for injured veterans.
“We’re very proud of the partnership we have with the Wounded Warrior Project and look forward to auctioning off each of the jerseys after they’re worn on the field,” athletic department spokesman Paul Kennedy told The Daily in an email.
Under Armour, in conjunction with Northwestern, created the uniforms to honor U.S. veterans. Kennedy’s comments came a day after he told The Associated Press the athletic department was sorry “for any misinterpretation” of the uniform’s design.
In his statement to the AP, Kennedy denied the design was meant to evoke blood splatter.
He described the uniform as having a “distressed pattern on both the stars and stripes that was inspired by the appearance of a flag that has flown proudly over a long period of time,” to the AP on Monday.
— Alex Putterman
