A group of seventh graders on a Tulsa Union school football team are possibly going to be prohibited to wear their pink and black jerseys that support breast cancer awareness.
“The families raised the money during the last few months to purchase the black jerseys with hot pink numbers and names printed on them,” said one team mom, Lara Patterson.
Her son is the team’s quarterback and approached her earlier this year explaining he wanted to find a way to support a former teacher of his who is battling breast cancer.
“He said, ‘What about jerseys to show our support? That’d be cool.’ And I said, jerseys would be cool!” said Patterson. “Sometimes his maturity surprises me. I am so proud of him. His great grandmother died of breast cancer.”
Most of the players already have initials embroidered on their jerseys of the loved one in their life who they are supporting.
“Number 21, his grandma is a two-time survivor,” said Patterson. “Number 29 asked for initials on his jersey.”
“My great grandmother died from breast cancer,” said 12-year-old center, Ryan Holcolb.
“I just want to represent my aunt who just recently died of breast cancer,” said 12-year-old running back Charles Harris.
“My grandma is in my heart, I think of her when I am on the field,” said 12-year-old Reid Smith.
Parents told FOX23 the football officials, The Indian Nation Football Council and the Union Youth Football Association’s president, Mark Farquhar have said the players are not allowed to wear the pink and black jerseys during the games.
FOX23 called both the Council and Farquhar but were unable to get a response.
“When we told the boys that they would possibly not be able to wear them they were crushed,” said Patterson.
“It’ll make me said because all the people supporting breast cancer and supporting my aunt,” said Harris.
“It would be disappointing and pretty sad,” said Smith as he felt the top of his jersey where he wants to have his grandmother’s initials sewn on.
The players have said they plan on wearing the jerseys anyway on Saturday night’s away game against Sand Springs even if that means risking forfeiting the game.
