BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TX — The Texas A&M football team will debut a uniform patch in Saturday's season-opener vs. Vanderbilt that will be worn by all Aggies sport teams for the 2020-21 school year.
The Aggies will wear a 2 ¼-inch black patch emblazoned with the word: UNIFIED.
On July 30, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rules to allow student-athletes in all sports to wear patches on their uniforms for commemorative and memorial purposes, as well as to support social justice issues.
Texas A&M's student-athletes collectively determined the patch message, and released a statement on why they chose UNIFIED:
UNIFIED Statement:
- How are we UNIFIED? While we all come from different places, backgrounds and experiences, each and every one of us feels immense pride at every opportunity to put on our Aggie uniform. Regardless of our identity and differences, we know with certainty we are all human beings and we are all Aggies.
- UNIFIED, what can we accomplish? The world we live in is still rife with inequality, and the forces of change must be powerful and UNIFIED to confront the challenges ahead. While our on-demand culture is fueled by instant gratification, we know this is the marathon of all marathons and there is no quick fix. We know this will take more stamina and steadfastness than any of us have ever experienced. We are ready.
- Why us? Being an Aggie is incredibly special and comes with great responsibility. Quite simply, the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service are the tools to change the world, and these values will be our guide as we pursue equality for all.
- What can you do? Open your minds and hearts to the experiences of others. Make the commitment to run with us in this pursuit of equality for all. This competition season, allow our UNIFIED patch to serve as a reminder we compete in solidarity versus inequalities.