October — the month of changing leaves, pumpkins, ghosts and the heart of football season. The year’s tenth month is also associated with another cause, that of breast cancer awareness.
In 2009, the National Football League paved the way for breast cancer awareness by launching the “A Crucial Catch” campaign. The effort included NFL teams wearing pink apparel (hats, gloves, socks and towels are just some examples) along with pink ribbons being placed on the field. College and high school teams everywhere followed suit, as pink gear began showing up on Fridays and Saturdays across the country in recent years.
By 2012, the trend had gotten out of hand. What began as the NFL showing support for a cause had quickly turned into a fashion statement for football players everywhere. High school and college players would see an NFL player wearing pink sleeves and want to copy it. The trend has grown so much that some media members have questioned the NFL’s true motives behind the pink movement.
In the NCAA, a rule was approved for 2013 that each team is permitted to have one “pink game” each season to help keep the true meaning of the cause in perspective. At Elon University, that game will be the contest this Saturday, Oct. 19, against the Mocs of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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At Elon, each sport follows this policy as part of a series known as “Live Pink.” For example, the men’s soccer team held its pink game on Oct. 5 against Appalachian State University. Even sports that are out of season in October have pink days. Baseball held its pink day last year on Apr. 2.
On Saturday, Elon fans can expect to see the team decked out in pink accessories, along with a pink Phoenix logo at midfield. In Elon’s home opener against West Virginia Wesleyan College, similar steps were followed for Military Appreciation Day, with a patriotic logo at midfield and patriotic decals on the helmets. Even though some players claim pink gear “decreases their manhood and performance,” the awareness is important for players such as senior defensive back Chandler Wrightenberry, whose mother is fighting the disease.
The intertwining of sports with breast cancer awareness has seemed to work so far, as the general public has become more and more aware of the cause. The cause will be showcased once again at Elon on Saturday, proving that life is greater than any Div. I football game.