Why blend in when you can stand out? I have always asked myself this question living in a world with 8 billion other people. We as human beings all have the innate desire to express ourselves, and this can be done in many different ways. You could be an artist, a musician, a writer…the choices are limitless. 

One way we as people have found to express ourselves is through the way we dress, and I am not concerned with what brands we wear, but more so how we have found ways to style what we wear in a manner which quite literally shows others what certain preferences we have, and how we like to be seen. This does not just occur in everyday life, but within the confines of the NFL as well, where there are many rules regarding what may be worn by the athletes that compete in this league. There are certain items that are required for protection as well as to properly represent their respective teams, but many of these players find ways to work within (or outside) of the rules to add their own flavor to how they look on game days.

My family have been die-hard San Francisco 49ers fans for generations to the point where it has become a family tradition, and I can remember being a football fan since I was born. I have watched thousands of games and even replays of ones that are 10 years my senior as I have never been able to get enough. When I was growing up, I was the kid who also laid out their outfits the night before school, making sure everything matched from head to toe. This began the development of my own taste, and how I liked to express myself through clothing, style, and sneakers. This was also mirrored in my relationship with football, as I began to take more notice of how players wore their uniforms and equipment, and I was also aware that some players did it differently than others, which made them look unique. I couldn’t help but draw parallels to choosing what to wear, and imagined these professional football players going through a similar process of self-expression in a way that I always have.

This blog acts as a window into my consciousness, and as a window into one of many things I pay attention to as I watch football. It also is a study about how culture influences sport, and how trends and self-expression bleed into a world filled with rules. Even when people say we have to blend in, we as humans will find a way to stick out.

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TF