Fordham unveiled these amazing one-off flag-themed jerseys for their annual matchup against Columbia Saturday, the only regular game between two Division I college football teams in New York City:
Back of Fordham's jerseys for this Saturday's game, will honor 9/11 1st responders (H/T @thatguyfio) http://t.co/wS9zs1Y4sh
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) September 20, 2013
Normally, I'd chalk this up to 'MERICAAAAAAAA like so many other random flag-themed jerseys, but there's a significant backstory here: The Manhattan-based Ivy League school and Bronx-based Patriot League squad were set to play on Sept. 15, 2001, but postponed their game after the September 11 attacks, which killed 39 alumni and students from Fordham, including two recent football players, and 43 from Columbia.
Ever since, they've played for The Liberty Cup to honor those who were lost, and of course, the FDNY and NYPD. As an occasional uniform criticizer, I'm typically against WORD ON NAMEPLATE and gimmicky numbering. As a New Yorker, I'm perfectly fine with these beauties.
The Rams are 3-0, coming off a win over FBS Temple thanks to a 29-yard pass with four seconds left, while Columbia is playing its first game.