kramer Posted July 17, 2005 Share Posted July 17, 2005 History of the Blackshirts One of Huskers' most well-known traditions is of the Blackshirts, which has become the common nickname for Nebraska's defensive unit. The term originally dates back to the early 1960s and refers to the black practice jerseys that Nebraska's first-string defenders wear in practice. With the return of the two-platoon system in college football in 1964, the Huskers were preparing for a game at Minnesota, and Head Coach Bob Devaney was looking for a way to distinguish the different defensive units on the practice fields. Devaney dispatched assistant coach Mike Corgan to a local sporting goods store to find some "contrast jerseys," a sleeveless pullover that went on top of the players' practice jerseys. While the top offensive unit practiced in red jerseys and the second-string offense worked in green pullovers, the first string defense wore black pullovers and the second string wore the contrasting gold jerseys. Long-time sports information director Don Bryant credits much of Blackshirt mystique to defensive line coach George Kelly, who served on Devaney's staff until 1968. Kelly was often heard yelling and exhorting the Blackshirts during practices and scrimmages. Eventually, the rest of the coaches began calling the top defensive units by the same name. While the 1964 defense was the first to wear the black practice jerseys, the name was slow to catch on. It took several years before the state's newspapers started referring to the Husker defense as the Blackshirts, while the first mention of the Blackshirts in the Nebraska football media guide did not occur until 1969. The term began to catch on during Monte Kiffin's tenure as defensive coordinator in the mid-1970s, before the Blackshirts earned national acclaim under Charlie McBride, who served as the Huskers' defensive coordinator from 1982 to 1999. NU ranked among the nation's top 10 in all four major defensive categories (rush defense, pass defense, total defense and scoring defense) on four occasions, helping Nebraska to national titles in 1994, 1995 and 1997. Members of the top defensive unit receive their Blackshirts the week of the season opener. Until recent years, the jersey was left hanging in a player's locker before the start of the week's practice. The jerseys are now distributed to the Blackshirts in a team ceremony and are presented to all first-unit players, including starters in different defensive sets. Before bowl games, all senior defensive players are awarded honorary Blackshirts at the bowl site to wear during game preparations. Quote Link to comment
Scarlet"N"Cream Posted July 17, 2005 Share Posted July 17, 2005 Hail to the BLACKSHIRTS!!!!! Quote Link to comment
Eric the Red Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 OKay Historians, who is your favorite Blackshirt of all-time?? I've loved Grant Wistrom then and still today. Have his jersey. Ex-girlfriend bought it for me. Quote Link to comment
hoyamannn Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Terell Farley. He was a freakin' monster. Quote Link to comment
kramer Posted July 19, 2005 Author Share Posted July 19, 2005 Nah, I want one player, it's got to be Mike Brown.. Quote Link to comment
Huskerfan66 Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Wistrom or Demorrio Williams. Wistrom is an obvious pick....I like Demorrio for how he played so fast and ferociously, especially when they lined him up on the line and shot him around the outside. He made some classic Blackshirt plays! Quote Link to comment
Pedro Guerrero Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Trev was and is still the best DE to EVER play for the Big Red. I just wish we could of got that NC in 93 for him. He killed FSU that night. If you can't tell Trev is my favorite Blackshirt. Quote Link to comment
craigsker Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Overall favorite of all-time: Jason Peter. Some of my other favorites: Terry Conneally, Christian Peter, Marc Munford, Broderick Thomas, Neil Smith. Quote Link to comment
Pedro Guerrero Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Kelsay Brothers I would put these guys as two of the most overrated Huskers ever.IMO Quote Link to comment
Pedro Guerrero Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Murtaugh Is this dude a family friend or somthing? He played from 68-70. That is before I was born so it was light years before you were born. Just wondering because I find it odd that he would be one of your favorites. Quote Link to comment
Scarlet"N"Cream Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Peter Brothers, Wistrom, and Brown.... Quote Link to comment
BigRedJake Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Demorrio Williams I was too young to watch Trev and most of the rest of those Quote Link to comment
StuckinChicago Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I dont care if it is the easiest answer. Grant Wistrom. That entire D line was sick, but he was the loudest, fastest, most spine tingling electric d lineman in college football, maybe ever. Quote Link to comment
Red November Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Demorrio Williams I was too young to watch Trev and most of the rest of those Get yourself to the Big Red Store and buy some videos boy. Quote Link to comment
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