Pink towel, gloves lead to Corbin controversy

[All State Baseball]

The father of a Corbin High School football player says his son was punished for wearing a pink hand towel and gloves during Friday’s game. The coach says the player was punished for a dress code violation that isn’t a part of team policy.

 

At issue is the reason Austin O’Neill wore the pink towel and gloves. His father, Bob, said it was in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

 

Austin is a sophomore at Corbin High who plays cornerback on defense for the Redhounds. His father said Monday his son had worn the pink gloves and towel before the game with Bell County at Campbell Field Friday night to honor members of his family and friends who have cancer.

 

“He got a pink towel made that had a breast cancer awareness pink ribbon and the Corbin ‘C’ also on the towel. He was told by the coaches during pre-game warmups to get the towel off. He also had on pink gloves, and not a word was said about the gloves,” Bob O’Neill said.

 

 

 

 

Pink towel, gloves lead to Corbin controversy » TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Edited October 18, 2012 by Ram
Copyright

[doubledeuce]

I think in high school, NFHS rules, you are only allowed to have a white towel.

[Rhino859]

DD you are correct. By rule a player is only permitted to wear a plain white towel. Now some may take the following the wrong way, I am all for supporting cancer research, but I think the wearing of Pink in sports has gotten out of hand.

 

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[Geek61]

I think in high school, NFHS rules, you are only allowed to have a white towel.

 

It may be, but I have seen Pink everything the past few years. Head bands, Towels, Socks, Gloves. If they can make it Pink, they have done it. I clearly has become a marketing thing for every sportswear and gear maker. I would curious to actually know how much of this money goes to Cancer causes. Probably very little. Most kids that wear it have no clue. It's an excuse to get some new gear and stand out a bit.

 

I think the kid should have asked permission and not assumed it would be OK. Clearly the coach does not like the gear.

[Jumper_Dad]

NFL and NCAA have both been wearing Pink, some teams have had special pink jerseys for HS games. As far as not wearing a pink towel being against the rules, wouldn't that be up to the officials to call? If player was penalized by officials after the coaches told him then maybe penalize him...maybe.

 

I think that if Corbin wins and doesn't get beat by 34-0 by Bell County this isn't an issue.

[gchs_uk9]

Now some may take the following the wrong way, I am all for supporting cancer research, but I think the wearing of Pink in sports has gotten out of hand.

 

I agree 100000%. I think a small pink ribbon sticker on the back of a helmet would be very nice. Sell t-shirts to students, teachers, parents, and fans and all proceeds can go to cancer research. Let the players all wear a pink t-shirt to school on game day.

 

Again, I don't want this sound insensitive toward breast cancer research, but a sports uniform should be just that - 'uniform,' meaning all the same. And while certainly breast cancer is a horrible disease, so too is lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, et al. And if you wore ribbons and shoes and towels for all of those, people would claim you were making a mockery of the team jersey.

[Commander 25]

I think this is publicity that Coach Jewel doesn't need. From what heard at the game last week he is on the hotseat.

[Jumper_Dad]

If as stated elsewhere other players (including coaches son) wear non matching gloves wouldn't that be a violation? or as the coach stated just trying to draw attention to themselves as he said this young man was trying to do? Even if they are team colors what purpose would it serve to wear two different color gloves other than to draw attention to one's self.

 

Some purest thing there is no room for Pink in football, but some of them still don't like that new rule that allows for the ball to be thrown forward either...get over it.

 

No matter how you cut or try to rationalize this, Coach Jewell IMO made a mistake. He just got beat for the second time in district play and by 36 points at home, that probably had a lot to do with his mood and this kid ended up being the focus of his rage.

[Godot]

I think this is publicity that Coach Jewel doesn't need. From what heard at the game last week he is on the hotseat.

As a should be for not letting the child honor his family and friends that have fell victim to this disease.

 

Now I may be the one that becomes unpopular in this thread.

[Lawnboy13]

I agree 100000%. I think a small pink ribbon sticker on the back of a helmet would be very nice. Sell t-shirts to students, teachers, parents, and fans and all proceeds can go to cancer research. Let the players all wear a pink t-shirt to school on game day.

 

Again, I don't want this sound insensitive toward breast cancer research, but a sports uniform should be just that - 'uniform,' meaning all the same. And while certainly breast cancer is a horrible disease, so too is lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, et al. And if you wore ribbons and shoes and towels for all of those, people would claim you were making a mockery of the team jersey.

 

I agree 100% with you gchs. IMO women and their causes get more attention then men. By the way, when is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month? :idunno:

[Clyde]

As a should be for not letting the child honor his family and friends that have fell victim to this disease.

 

Now I may be the one that becomes unpopular in this thread.

 

I admire the kid for having the desire to honor loved ones.

 

However, rules are rules and when you don't follow them you run the risk of punishment.

 

You can't hide behind an admirable act.

[Lawnboy13]

As a should be for not letting the child honor his family and friends that have fell victim to this disease.

 

Now I may be the one that becomes unpopular in this thread.

 

Don't think so, you are entitled to your opinion.

[thenamerobdigity]

I am all for supporting cancer research, but I think the wearing of Pink in sports has gotten out of hand.

 

I agree. Plus not asking permission wasn't a smart idea either.

[True blue (and gold)]

I agree 100000%. I think a small pink ribbon sticker on the back of a helmet would be very nice. Sell t-shirts to students, teachers, parents, and fans and all proceeds can go to cancer research. Let the players all wear a pink t-shirt to school on game day.

 

Again, I don't want this sound insensitive toward breast cancer research, but a sports uniform should be just that - 'uniform,' meaning all the same. And while certainly breast cancer is a horrible disease, so too is lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, et al. And if you wore ribbons and shoes and towels for all of those, people would claim you were making a mockery of the team jersey.

 

This is pretty much exactly what my team does. We've sold t-shirts and raised $700 that will go to the American Cancer Society. Our boys will wear the shirts to school tomorrow. On game night Friday, they will have a pink ribbon sticker on their helmets and they will all have on pink socks. They enjoy the feel of the "special" night as sort of a connection to football at higher levels (NFL). However, next week, it'll be back to business in our normal "blue/gold" attire.

[sportsfan08]

Why not have one game during the month where you wear your link gloves, tape, etc? That way everyone knows when it's going to be, they get to do it, and everybody's happy.