To beat the heat in the 100-degree temperatures scorching Oklahoma the past couple weeks, health experts recommend drinking plenty of fluids, staying indoors and wearing light-colored clothing to reflect the sun. For the Oklahoma State defensive squad, however, the goal is just the opposite.
Instead a player on the defensive side of the ball is the covets the “black shirt,” a black mesh jersey indicating a standout player who has performed highly in practice.
When asked about the black jerseys, defensive coordinator Tim Beckman does not hesitate to lay down the requirements.
“Consistency and making plays,” Beckman said. “We vote on it as a staff, it’s not just my individual award. It’s a staff award. We nominate the players … and we just go from there.”
To this point, six players have earned the prized black shirt.
Defensive backs Jacob Lacey and Martel Van Zant and safety Ricky Price, don the shirts in the secondary.
Defensive ends Nathan Peterson and Marque Fountain have proven themselves on the line, while Donovan Woods became the first linebacker to receive the award.
When asked about the pressure of sporting the black jersey, Woods stressed the importance for the entire team to continue to work hard.
“Just because you have a black shirt doesn’t change anything, whether you have one or not you want to do right just because it’s right,” Woods said.
Because Woods is one of the most humble players on the team, it is no surprise he would direct the attention away from his accomplishment.
But Beckman said earning a black shirt is by no means an easy task.
“Of course the more the better, but we’ve made it a hard thing to get,” Beckman said. “It’s not something that we’re just going to toss out and everybody can get it.”
The shirts are considered such a privilege that they can be taken away if the wearer is not playing up to par.
“Being inconsistent or not performing up to levels that we think or expect you to be,” Beckman said. “Or any other situation that might occur, not just on the field but off the field at times, too.”
The black jerseys are yet another form of motivation designed to keep the defensive players consistent and motivated day-in and day-out.
But back to the original question: Do the black jerseys really attract more heat?
“You don’t really notice any difference,” said Woods. “They say that black attracts a little more heat, but maybe so, maybe not.”
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