Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon said he asked when he came into the league as a rookie in 2015 to include
Joe Nieuwendyk Womens Jersey the "III" on his jersey, but the NFL said no. Gordon said he had the Roman numeral on his jersey at Wisconsin his final two years there but did not have the suffix on his jersey in high school. The Pro Bowler said he did not ask to add the suffix on his jersey his second season, but he and Melvin Ingram (who's also a III) both tried to get it on the back of their jersey in time for the 2017 season. The league said it would add the number, but it was too late for '17 because of all the jerseys in inventory that had been produced. So both will have to wait until next year. "It means a lot," Gordon said. "It's mainly for my dad, that's what you do it for, for your pops. When you see that 'III' on there, you know that I came from him. So that's what it is, and why I'll go for it -- for my pops on game dayIf Earl Thomas' grandfather had his way, the Seattle Seahawks' All-Pro free safety might have been doing something entirely different on Sundays. Earl Sr. was a pastor in Orange, Texas, and didn't like the idea of his grandson playing football. "He wanted me in church," Thomas said. "He didn't really believe in football like that, but he's definitely dear to my heart, and I definitely miss him." Earl Sr. passed away in 2010, during his grandson's rookie season. Thomas decided in the 2013 season to add "III" to the nameplate on his jersey to honor his grandfather -- "the rock of the whole family" -- and also his dad, who introduced him to the game. "He kind of turned me into this guy that just loves football with all his heart," Thomas said of his father. "So I owe it to them. I definitely want to make that name proud." Thomas and his
http://www.officialcalgaryflames.com/Adidas-Johnny-Gaudreau-Jersey wife have a young daughter named Kaleigh Rose. He thought they'd name their son Earl if they ever had one, but now he isn't sure. "I might end it with me," he said with a smileMark Ingram finally added the "II" to the back of his jersey this season -- something the son of former NFL standout wide receiver Mark Ingram said he has always been interested in doing. "Well, that's my name, for one," said Ingram, who has always kept a close relationship with his father and recently announced that he and his wife are expecting their first boy -- whom they plan to name Mark Ingram III -- in March. Ingram said it had nothing to do with a growing trend of jersey suffixes around the NFL. It was simply a matter of finally deciding to do it -- then waiting for NFL approval. The league doesn't immediately approve name or number switches, especially with high-profile players, because of the number of jerseys that are produced and licensed for sale to the public. A player can speed up the process if he agrees to purchase the remaining inventory. Ingram went through a similar process earlier in his career when he
Kris Versteeg Jersey changed Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. first had "Jr." added to the back of his jersey in his sophomore year at Florida, just before the team's game against LSU. He did it out of respect for his father, Dante Fowler Sr. "I'm a little version of him, so just wanting to get 'Jr.' so people actually know who I am," said the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Fowler. "It was just respect to my dad. Being able to have the 'Jr.' on the back of my jersey meant a lot. "Everybody knew who my dad was and stuff like that when I was growing up so they just called me DJ or Junior. So I just put the junior on the back [of my jersey]." Fowler wishes he had better memories of his first game with it added to his jersey. The Gators lost 17-6 to LSU that day in 2013. "I had a big hit
http://www.officialdallasstars.com/Adidas-Dan-Hamhuis-Jersey on Jeremy Hill, but it was a rough game," he said. "A hard-nose, downhill football game. We didn't win but it was all right
