Blackshirts (American football)

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Blackshirts logo Blackshirtslogo.png
Blackshirts logo

The Blackshirts are the starting defensive players for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, a reference to the black jerseys worn by the unit during practice.

Contents

Origin

In 1964, the NCAA ended the one-platoon system, allowing unlimited substitutions to create dedicated offensive, defensive, and special teams units. [1] Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney ensured his units would be visually distinguishable during practice by having them wear contrasting colors, and tasked assistant Mike Corgan with obtaining new jersey pullovers for defensive players. Defensive line coach George Kelly later said the use of black was "an accident of availability," because the store Corgan visited gave him a discount on the color. [2] The jerseys likely began use prior to Nebraska's 1964 game at Minnesota, the first game Devaney used a two-platoon system. [1] [2]

Initially, black jerseys were only assigned to defensive players who practiced and performed well; those who failed to earn a black jersey were instead given gray. "There probably wasn't a day when we didn't make switches," said Kelly. [2] Kelly was often heard yelling at his "black shirts" (later shortened to a single word) and is credited with coining the term, which caught on quickly with fans and local media. [2]

Use

The Blackshirts on the field against USC on September 15, 2007 091507-USCNeb-USCBootyDrive.jpg
The Blackshirts on the field against USC on September 15, 2007

Tom Osborne, Devaney's successor as head coach, ended the practice of redistributing Blackshirts, instead presenting them to starters before the season's first game. [3] Subsequent coaches have adjusted the tradition – Bill Callahan also included key reserve players, while Bo Pelini did not award Blackshirts until midseason. [3] [4] Some special teams players have been given an honorary Blackshirt. [5]

Two decades after the tradition began, screen printer Tim Riley created a logo depicting a skull and crossbones wearing a helmet. [6] It debuted on a banner at Memorial Stadium in 1985, accompanied by a stencil-font "Blackshirts." [6] Riley trademarked the logo and later sold its rights to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. An updated version was created in 2022. In 1996, lineman Jason Peter began crossing his forearms in an "X" to celebrate big plays. [6] This was termed "throwing the bones" and is often replicated by defenders and fans.

Nebraska wore Blackshirt-themed alternate uniforms in 2019 and 2020. [7]

Suspensions

The use of Blackshirts has been suspended several times since Osborne's retirement, usually after poor defensive performances. In 2007, captain Zack Bowman led a player movement to forfeit Blackshirts in the midst of a season in which NU was one of the country's worst defensive teams; they were restored in October of the following season. [8] [9]

Blackshirts were suspended after a loss to Minnesota in 2013, and following the firing of Scott Frost in 2022. [10] [11]

Other uses

Nebraska's football student section at Memorial Stadium is named the "Boneyard." [12]

Players from Nebraska's volleyball team are referred to as the "Blackshorts." [13]

McCook brewery Loop Brewing Company brews a black india pale ale called the "Blackshirt IPA." [14]

References

  1. 1 2 "Huskers to Hit Gophers With 2 Teams Saturday". Lincoln Journal Star . September 24, 1964. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mike Babcock (January 26, 2018). "History of the Blackshirts". Nebraska Athletics. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Brent Craig (November 9, 2014). "Cornhuskers Coach Pelini vs the Blackshirts Tradition". Husker Corner. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  4. "Huskers Hand Out 14 Blackshirts Tuesday". Nebraska Athletics. August 30, 2005. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  5. Michael Bruntz (October 14, 2024). "Buschini, Wright earn Blackshirts after strong performances against Rutgers". 247Sports . Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Brandon Vogel (2015). "Drew the Bones". Brandon Vogel. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  7. Kaleb Henry (August 22, 2024). "Nebraska Football Ditching Alternate Uniforms". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  8. "Nebraska defense loses 'Blackshirts'". Sports Illustrated . October 16, 2007. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  9. "Eleven players receive jerseys after defense's best practice of season". ESPN . November 11, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  10. "Five things: Northwestern-Nebraska". ESPN . November 2, 2013.
  11. Matt Connolly (April 14, 2023). "Tony White explains his approach to Nebraska's Blackshirts tradition". On3.com . Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  12. "The Boneyard - The Iron N". University of Nebraska–Lincoln . Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  13. Lincoln Arneal (September 14, 2019). "Fan-favorite "Blackshort" court debuts to rave reviews, here's how John Cook helped make it happen". Omaha World-Herald . Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  14. "Loop Brewing Company - Blackshirt IPA". IPourIt. Retrieved June 1, 2025.