Spring Break
Christian throwback jerseys promote Bible verses
Greg Garrison, Religion News Service
Issue date: 1/19/06 Section: DIVINE INTERVENTION
He visited companies and met the owners, who typically spoke some English. He showed them his designs.
"I got a company to agree to it," he said. "We came up with a great product."
He also showed the jerseys to the NBA Properties office, which said he was clear of any copyright or trademark infringements, since he was only imitating colors and type fonts but not using any team names or logos.
Nonetheless, they look enough like authentic jerseys to create a buzz.
"A lot of youth pastors have been looking for something to use to get in touch with youth," he said. "Adults are loving it just as much as kids."
Jackson, 35, hopes the jerseys prompt people to think about the Bible, maybe even look up, read and study the biblical references.
"It's a conversation piece," he said. "It's a way we can witness."
Jackson has been in the Army for more than 16 years, and for the past nine years has been a recruiter and retention officer, in charge of keeping soldiers enlisted.
His sideline of selling jerseys has gotten a lot of notice and appears ready to take off.
In its pre-Christmas issue, Gospel Today Magazine touted the Christian Throwback Jersey as one of its Christmas gift recommendations. Sports Illustrated columnist Pete McEntegart mentioned the jerseys in his Dec. 20 online column at SI.com.
"It is indeed strange to see a No. 8 jersey in Lakers colors but with `Luke' written across the front; it's like some bizarre, mismatched trinity of Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton and Jesus Christ," McEntegart wrote. "Yet who wouldn't love to be the first kid on the block with a fly Deuteronomy
jersey?"
Jackson mainly sells them through his web site, www.christianthrowbackjersey.com. Kids' jerseys cost $59, youth jerseys cost $69 adult jerseys cost $75.
Jackson sees them as a perfect blend of sport, style and evangelism.
"Now you have a powerful message and you witness at the same time," Jackson said. "The response has been excellent. I came up with something people have been wanting and just never had."
"I got a company to agree to it," he said. "We came up with a great product."
He also showed the jerseys to the NBA Properties office, which said he was clear of any copyright or trademark infringements, since he was only imitating colors and type fonts but not using any team names or logos.
Nonetheless, they look enough like authentic jerseys to create a buzz.
"A lot of youth pastors have been looking for something to use to get in touch with youth," he said. "Adults are loving it just as much as kids."
Jackson, 35, hopes the jerseys prompt people to think about the Bible, maybe even look up, read and study the biblical references.
"It's a conversation piece," he said. "It's a way we can witness."
Jackson has been in the Army for more than 16 years, and for the past nine years has been a recruiter and retention officer, in charge of keeping soldiers enlisted.
His sideline of selling jerseys has gotten a lot of notice and appears ready to take off.
In its pre-Christmas issue, Gospel Today Magazine touted the Christian Throwback Jersey as one of its Christmas gift recommendations. Sports Illustrated columnist Pete McEntegart mentioned the jerseys in his Dec. 20 online column at SI.com.
"It is indeed strange to see a No. 8 jersey in Lakers colors but with `Luke' written across the front; it's like some bizarre, mismatched trinity of Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton and Jesus Christ," McEntegart wrote. "Yet who wouldn't love to be the first kid on the block with a fly Deuteronomy
jersey?"
Jackson mainly sells them through his web site, www.christianthrowbackjersey.com. Kids' jerseys cost $59, youth jerseys cost $69 adult jerseys cost $75.
Jackson sees them as a perfect blend of sport, style and evangelism.
"Now you have a powerful message and you witness at the same time," Jackson said. "The response has been excellent. I came up with something people have been wanting and just never had."