NFL Pittsburg Steelers player, DeAngelo Williams, is banned from wearing pink on his uniform in order to honor his mother who recently passed away from breast cancer.
In May 2014, Williams lost his mother, Sandra Hill, to breast cancer and is trying to find any way that he can to show support for his mother.
The NFL has a strict uniform policy limiting players to only wearing pink at certain times during
the season. Players are allowed to wear something pink whether it be tape, gloves, cleats, hand towels, sleeves or patches during the month of October for breast cancer awareness month.
Williams asked the NFL vice president of the football operation, Troy Vincent, if he could continue to wear pink for the rest of the season. The NFL told him no because it would go against their uniform policy.
In 2009, Williams was a part of the NFL’s decision to allow players to wear pink during breast cancer month and wearing pink during the month means more to Williams than most.
“If it means something personal to a player they should be able to wear some type of memorabilia, not decked out but in moderation,” Chrissy Ferraro, sophomore softball player, said.
To honor his mother, Williams painted his fingernails and toenails pink along with placing a pink streak in his dreadlocks.
Williams is not only supporting breast cancer by wearing pink, he is also supporting it with his money. Williams’ mother died at the age of 53, so in memory of her, he donated a fund for mammograms for 53 women.
Williams, in an interview with pro-football talk said, “The hair, it’s part of the uniform from the standpoint of being tackled, but it’s not specific to what color it has to be or if it has to match the uniform.”
This is even becoming a problem in high schools around the country. Many high schoolers wish to wear certain colors of a family member of loved one who is affected by or battling cancer.
Unfortunately, high school boards do not let their athletes wear different colors to support either. A whole team must be in the same uniform.
“They should be able to wear pink whenever they want,” Brandon Weaver, sophomore, said. “It is their choice and if they feel strongly about the cause they should be able to express it.”
As for professional athletes, players in the NFL are huge role models to young kids and if they are supporting a cause, odds are fans will start paying attention or researching what they see their favorite athletes supporting each week.
“I think the NFL is too strict about the dress code,” Sara Devita, sophomore field hockey player, said. “Players sign a contract that should be revised so players can honor those affected.”
