Tacoma Student Sent Home For Wearing Wrong Jersey: Bears Gain New Fan

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger

Only on rare occasion do I disagree with our host on interpretations of law. On football, well that’s another matter. An unabashed Steeler and AFC fan, I run head long in Professor Turley’s (shall I say it?), obsession with those “Monsters of the Midway,” the Chicago Bears. Today, all that changed.

Thirteen-year-old Grendon Bailie has gotten a lesson in school fanaticism that’s not included on the curriculum. The Tacoma, Washington, seventh grader was an avid participant in Truman Middle School’s “Jersey Day” – problem is he wore the wrong jersey and was barred from attending classes.

Apparently, all of the 600 students were permitted to pay homage to the playoff bound Seahawks by breaching the usual dress code of khakis and polo shirts and donning the garish team colors of Light Blue, Steel Blue, Neon Green, and White. Little Grendon was having none of it.  A transplant from western Pennsylvania, this modern-day iconoclast showed up to classes with his prized Pittsburgh Steeler jersey, and a note from his parents explaining the virtue of loyalty.

“I very much stand behind Grendon’s right to support the team of his choice at public taxpayer-funded events,” wrote Mr. Bailie.  The simple logic fell on deaf ears and Grendon was sent home. Sniffed school spokesman, Stacy Flores, “No student was forced to wear Seahawks colors. If they chose not to do so they were asked to abide by the dress code. From what principals [at Truman] said, mostly all of the students and even some staff participated. There was just one student who did not abide by the rules.”

Ah, those rules again. Seems Ms. Flores forgot about the ones emanating from that parchment document that stands preserved at the National Archives and which guarantees freedom of expression. For the Bailies, there is no need to call in the ACLU to prove the point or fight the injustice, the victory in the Court of Public opinion being deemed sufficient.

“Look, I’m not trying to change the world,” said Mr. Bailie, “I’m just poking back because I take so much grief for being a Steelers fan.” Well, chalk up one victory today, Mr. Bailie.  Originally a passive observer to today’s Bears-Seahawks game, I’ll be donning my navy and orange, parking in front of my TV, and munching as much fried fowl as I can. The Bears have a new fan – if only for today.

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Submitted by Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger