BYU Coach Bronco Mendenhall Alters Nameplates on Jerseys, Changes Mind After Players Find Out (Photo)

BYU football players were welcomed with an unsuspecting surprise when they arrived at their lockers for team photo day on Thursday afternoon.

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall thought it would be a good idea to honor the values of the football program in a unique way, so he decided to alter the players’ jersey nameplates — which traditionally included last names — to accommodate his plans. Instead of seeing their last name on the back of their jersey, players got to their lockers Thursday with either the word “tradition,” “spirit” or “honor” printed on their nameplates. And, well, they weren’t happy about it.

Within hours, after hearing reaction from his team about the change, Mendenhall changed his mind and announced that the special nameplates would only be used for the team’s homecoming game. That’s quite a turnaround, and probably a logical one, as well.

Check out a photo of the nameplates and some reaction from players, below, with a hat tip to Jay Drew of The Salt Lake Tribune.

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