Add names to back of football uniforms to Penn State

The phone rang, & Daryll Clark already knew what questions were coming his way.

"Let me guess," said Clark, Penn State's 2 time all Big Ten quarterback in 2008-09. "You want to know what I think about the uniforms. What's the big deal?"

For years -- 125 to be exact -- Penn State did not have individual names on the backs of its signature plain blue & white uniforms. The late coach Joe Paterno hated the idea of putting names on them because he didn't want players to think they were above the team.

In 2012, that will change. Penn State announced Tuesday that names will be added because first-year coach Bill O'Brien wants to recognize the players who stayed committed to the program in the wake of severe NCAA sanctions.

"That's one of those Joe rules, & that's something he stuck to for years," Clark said. "But Bill O'Brien is not Joe."

The uniforms will also feature a blue ribbon in support of all victims of child sex abuse, the school said, & it encouraged all fans to wear a blue ribbon to each of the seven home football games this season.

"We want our fans to know & recognize these young men," O'Brien said in a news release. "They have stuck together during tough times, & I commend them for the leadership they have shown. Moving forward, I'm deeply committed to honoring Penn State's traditions, while building a bright future for our football program."

According to the release, O'Brien consulted with several members of the team & collectively made the decision. The school said there has been no decision made about keeping the names beyond this season.

"These guys were enthused about the fact their names would be on the back of the jerseys," O'Brien told the school's athletics website, GoPSUSports.com, following Tuesday's practice. "They understood the reason why, & we had a lot of communication on it & at the end of the day we felt good about the decision."

Chris Godissart, a high school senior from Philipsburg, Pa., was browsing Penn State merch & ise at the downtown shop Lions' Pride when he was informed of the change. Godissart, a season-ticket holder who has been attending games since he was 5, OK'd the move.

"its goanna be different for sure," he said. "But I think the way that some people said it's something nice to do to show the players who stayed, to represent them . . . That's awesome. I have a lot of respect for the guys who stayed."

Former wide receiver Pat Mauti, older brother of Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti, took to twitter to defend the move.

"The entire country needs to know these kids," Pat Mauti wrote. "It will ruffle some feathers but you know what, you're not the ones who went through all this. These kids are the 1s playing & have been through more in 9 months than most will go through in a lifetime. Let them have fun n play ball."

Not everyone, however, is getting as worked up about it.

"I really don't care that much either way," said Mike Pospisil, a graduate student from Mount Pleasant, Pa., working on his degree in structural engineering. "I think it's a good idea. I'm not opposed to it, but I don't really feel strongly about it. I could care less as long as they're playing."