Penn State announced this week that it would do away with player names on the backs of their uniforms, a decision made to honor a 125-year tradition in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions’ jerseys were adorned with player names for three seasons from 2012-’14, in part, as a response to NCAA sanctions and as a gesture toward the players who stuck with the program.
But the addition of player names, which was first decided by former coach Bill O’Brien, was not universally accepted among Penn State lettermen. Count former All-America tight end Troy Drayton among those who were put off by the decision, to the point he refused to watch Penn State games for three years.
Drayton weighed in on Franklin’s decision to remove the names, as well as the new role Penn State’s tight ends play in Franklin’s offense in a segment for the Keystone Sports Network this week. Check out audio of the show in this post and be sure to check back in to KeystoneSportsNetwork.com for plenty more Penn State podcasts and analysis.
Download KSN Podcast: Interview with Penn State great Troy Drayton