Huskies put names back on jerseys

Published 11:04 pm Saturday, August 11, 2007

SEATTLE – It was picture day at Husky Stadium Saturday, which gave fans a chance to see Husky football players in uniform for the first time this season.

And there was something different about those uniforms.

For the first time during the Tyrone Willingham era, players will have names on the backs of their jerseys, something Willingham had earlier hinted might be in the works. On Saturday, it became official.

When asked about the change, Willingham first feigned surprise, saying “You’re joking. Who did that?”

He said ultimately it was a way to make the game-day experience better for the fans.

“It’s about helping our fans, that’s one,” he said. “I couldn’t eliminate double numbers, that’s two, and it’s not a bad idea.”

The change may also signify that the team is embracing Willingham’s team-before-self philosophy, which was the reason for removing names in the first place.

“I think we keep growing, I think we keep maturing, and that’s an important element,” he said. “It is important that we understand that one of the keys to being successful is putting team before self. When that concept is fully embraced you have a better chance to have success. When that is embraced, the individual never worries about self.”

And apparently, when that concept in embraced, you can have your name back on your jersey.

Players seemed to be in favor of the change.

“The players are all pretty excited to have our names on the back of our jerseys this season,” said quarterback Carl Bonnell. “It gives us all a little bit of a more personal identity and it makes us feel that more strongly, at least individually, about our place at this great university. I know the fans are going to appreciate it. There are so many double numbers, it will certainly be a lot easier for them to identify and relate more closely with the players.”

Russo recovering: Receiver Anthony Russo had surgery as scheduled Friday to repair his broken pinky finger. Willingham said the surgery went well. Russo is expected to miss four weeks recovering from the injury.

New gold: Corey Williams became the first player not named Louis Rankin to wear the gold jersey in practice. Rankin had worn the jersey, which Willingham uses to award good play in practice, for four straight days before Williams earned the honor Saturday.

“Corey has stepped up his game,” Willingham said. “The whole concept, it’s about performance, productivity and consistency and Cory has put together some pretty good days. He’s starting to step his game up, and that’s something we need.”

Injury update: Cornerback Byron Davenport continued to be held out of practice activities while resting a hamstring injury … Walk-on center/long snapper Robert Lukevich suffered what Willingham called a minor knee sprain Saturday.