Jersey Etiquette Part 1

Because I am going to be purchasing a new Colts jersey, I thought I'd write about my thought process in buying a new one, as well as etiquette. When I see someone out in public rockin' a jersey of an athlete that you don't see too often, I make sure to give the guy props. It could even be one that you end up seeing often, but you see someone wearing it before it's bigtime. There are also guys in the NFL who are so bigtime that you should have no shame wearing their jersey. These are more of the jerseys that you would hang in your sports memorobilia basement. Peyton Manning (greatness), Marvin Harrison (local greatness), and Reggie Wayne (local greatness) are at that level. Chad Johnson (on coolness) is at that level. Tom Brady (greatness status) is at that level. Randy Moss is at that level (coolness and greatness) If there were a Patriots fan at the bar I was at, I would be jersey-impressed with a Donte Stallworth or even an Asante Samuel on D.

My buddy Freddy P. is an Eagles fan. He could have gone out an gotten a McNabb or a Kearse, but he stepped it up with a Lito Shephard. The Shephard sticks out, is a cool number, and a cool player.

Basically here are some things I think about when purchasing a football jersey:

1) Feedback when visiting another city. You're looking for this comment,
"Dude, your jersey is sick!" or "is that a (name here)jersey?"

2) You've got to find a jersey that fits you if you were an NFL player.
I went with Reggie Wayne because i'm 6'2" 180 lbs. I just don't think
that I would look right in a big #63 Jeff Saturday. That's just a
personal preference, but it's something I think about. I'm basically
limited to receivers and defensive backs. If I were bigger (or when
I eventually get bigger after all this fast food) I'd probably get a
Robert Mathis.

3) It's gotta be a "cool" player and "cool" number. Reggie Wayne went to
the U. and he's #87. Two great things going for him right off the bat.
If you had to name a "coolest" player on the Colts, it would be he and
Bob Sanders (also a good jersey selection). Offensive Linemen simply have
the worst numbers in football and I can't relate with them. A Maroney
Pats jersey would be cool if he weren't #39. HORRIBLE number!

4) I like to get jerseys that not that many people own. Obviously my
Reggie jersey got more popular over time. It was cool in a way
because when you saw another one, it was like you were long lost
strangers. Then again, it's always good to stand out a little bit.
If you can own a jersey before a guy blows up, then you're really
sitting on something. A lot of people got the Addai last year and
it's paying off for them.

I've gotta wrap up part 1 at this time. I'll leave it with saying I'm leaning towards a Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Daymeon Hughes, Bob Sanders, or Antoine Bethea. There may be some others once I actually go to the pro shop.