Think Pink - Penalty Flags

[FrankNFHS]

Since it seems that the NFL's acknowledgement of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink colored items seems  to have taken hold at all levels...and State Associations are even stating to their membership what is being sanctioned as activities where refs can wear pink as well or use pink whistles, hats...etc....I wanted to share what a few of us did that was not only cheap but very, very well received:Pink penalty flags during October (High School level and youth football levels). 

For those who might want some of the do it yourself details...

At a local department store I bought a pink plastic table cover ($0.97), a bag of rubber bands ($1.49), general purpose glue ($0.79) and two containers of pink play doh ($2.98). Total about $7.00.

The plastic cover measured 54 inches by 108 inches so I cut it into 18 inch by 18 inch squares.  I glued two squares together to form a 2 ply "Pink penalty flag".  I used the play doh as the weight and secured it with the rubber bands....and there you go.....9 very nice looking Pink penalty flags.

As I mentioned before...they were a hit.  A couple of white hats came over and asked where did I get them because they wanted some for their respective crews and I told them I made them.  In the end I sold them and ended up making a few more flags for other crews.

So for a low cost alternative to pink penalty flags....consider this do it yourself idea.  FYI...I have to admit they look pretty good as one of the crews got hold of some game film where they threw a few of the flags and they definitely fit right in with all of the other pink items on the field.

[110]

I clash with Pink. I think I'll do some testicular cancer awarenes flags in blue.

[clearwall]

I dont begrudge the people who want to show support, and I most definitely pray for the women who have breast cancer to get better,  but I just can't in good conscience do the pink gear. I know the organization that started the whole thing and I have a BIG moral problem with them.

[HLinNC]

Personally I don't want to dress as if someone spilled Pepto-Bismol on me.

I think one NFL game is fine, a whole month is just overkill.

Take all the money spent on pink shoes, wristbands, gloves, whistles, hats, shirts and give it to cancer research, not just "a portion of the proceeds."

[FrankNFHS]

I want to thank all of the folks that sent me private messages on my postimg as I will as the other poster mentioned keep those affected by Breast Cancer in my thoughts and prayers that they live a long and quality filled life.

Losing my Mom to breast cancer this August is by far the most difficult event in my life so far.  But for what it is worth I share the following.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, my son Frankie Jr was just a baby having been born two months before.  One day when she was getting her first treatments, we visited her at the hospital.  We could hear her say from the other side of a glass window that separated us because she had to be in isolation say, "I'm going to get hold my grandson again someday!"  The doctors gave her 1 - 2 years to live given how aggressively the cancer had ravaged through her body....

...she not only lived to hold her two month old grandson again...but also to watch him play his Freshman year of high school football.  She fought the good fight for 15 years!  Yes cancer won, but she fought long and hard and the battle went deep into overtime before the game was over.

[NWA_UMP]

One of the guys on our crew had his wife make pink bean bags. That is as far as we will go. We all chipped in for the material and supplies. We then took the price of the bean bags plus shipping that we would have paid for new ones and donated the difference.

[Kalle]

I personally think that pink flags would be an excellent way for the officials to show support for the cause. But I do agree with HLinNC that the effect is diluted now that NFL runs it longer than one weekend. One weekend of concentrated effort is much better.

[Roscoe]

I must say I would be in favor for a pink whistle, lanyard, and flags for 1 game and 1 game only.

[NorCalMike]

One of the guys on our crew had his wife make pink bean bags. That is as far as we will go. We all chipped in for the material and supplies. We then took the price of the bean bags plus shipping that we would have paid for new ones and donated the difference.

And I bet there easy to find if you drop them.

[TxBJ]

While I applaud the thought behind the penalty flags, I don't like the idea since penalty flags have a negative connotation to most people.  I think the pink whistles and pink bean bags are a great idea as they are a visible part of the uniform on most officials, whether they have to use them or not.

[fbrefga]

I bought pink whistles for my crew and we wore them last Friday night.  Thankfully, I do not have any family members who have had breast cancer but a few friends have been battling this disease.  When I wore the pink whistle on Friday, I was recognizing the obvious.  However, I also had my nephew in my thoughts.  On May 13 of this year, he was diagnosed with bone cancer.  He turned 16 in July.  He is an athlete who plays football and baseball.  He has had many rounds of chemo as well as surgery to remove the tumor.  Fortunately, the tumor was on the ribs rather than being in the bone.  He had a portion of 3 ribs removed during August.  In my own way, I was recognizing all forms of cancer this past Friday.

[Roscoe]

I was thinking about this yesterday. How about standar yellow/gold flags with a pink ball. I might actually do that next year

[Rulesman]

Good for you, fbrefga! This discussion makes me wonder if the circus clowns running the State of Washington changed their stance on pink whistles this year. Anyone hear?

[maven]

Good for you, fbrefga! This discussion makes me wonder if the circus clowns running the State of Washington changed their stance on pink whistles this year. Anyone hear?

Ohio too prohibits pink. We wear blue wrist bands all September, but no pink! And take the pink towels off the kids, too!