Posted by Bob on November 10, 2003
In Reply to: Re: Red Shirting posted by pdianek on November 10, 2003
: : Red Shirting refers to the practice of high school students repeating a grade, so they can be bigger and stronger when they go out for sports, usually football. My wife comes from a town that basically revolves around high school football, and since their team color is red, she thought the color of the shirt varied by town. But I've heard the term generically called "red shirting". Does anyone know why it's called red shirting? Why red? Thanks...
: From dictionary.com (which lists "redshirt", one word, no hyphen): To keep (a college or school athlete) out of varsity competition for one year in order to extend the athlete's period of eligibility. [From the red jerseys worn by such athletes to distinguish them from the regular players.]
It was the practice, when redshirting was new, to have such players wear a red vest over their uniform.