When it comes to developing jerseys featuring “Sick ‘Em Bears,” adidas may not be out of luck. That is because when it comes to football uniforms, the NCAA’s rules are different. The 2013 and 2014 NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations manual provides that along with a player’s number, a football jersey may only contain the player’s name; school name; NCAA Football logo; sleeve stripes; insignia for the school, conference, mascot, postseason game, memorial or the military; or an American or state flag. Given the presence of the broad category of “insignia” in the rule, it is likely that a Baylor football uniform could feature the phrase. The question, though, is whether adidas is willing to take another design risk and place the phrase on a football uniform? Regardless of what adidas decides to do moving forward with Baylor’s uniforms, one thing is certain: The company generated significant conversation over a basketball uniform design that wasn’t worn for a single quarter of basketball.
