Spring Break
Christian throwback jerseys promote Bible verses
Greg Garrison, Religion News Service
Issue date: 1/19/06 Section: DIVINE INTERVENTION
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But where the word "Bulls" would be, it says "Psalm." So the sports jersey becomes a biblical reference to Psalm 23.
Another version looks like Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers basketball jersey, except it says "Luke 8." And Acts 27 adorns what looks like the uniform of Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.
Jackson calls them Christian Throwback Jerseys. But instead of hearkening back to classic NBA or NFL uniforms, they're invoking books of the Bible.
He started the business in July and has sold several hundred jerseys, mostly in New York, California and Washington, D.C.
"People really jumped on it," said Ronea Rouse, owner of Rtistic Rriginals Christian Bookstore in Los Angeles, who has sold more than 100 of them. "We do a lot of street evangelism. It's really a good tool. We've really been pushing them. It's a good thing he's got going on."
Some popular Christian rappers have made public appearances wearing the shirts, Jackson said. "The artists are loving my jersey," he said.
Jackson was hired by a friend, Paul Fleming, to be manager at a Birmingham, Ala., Christian gift store in 2004. Fleming closed the store in 2005. But while helping out there, Jackson began thinking about Christian products for young people.
"I was trying to come up with something different for youth, offering the kids a message in a product they can wear and be cool," he said.
Jackson studied popular sports jerseys and noticed that the kind he wanted to emulate, with thick, hand-stitched letters, were all made in Korea. So he flew to Korea on Feb. 13, 2005, to look for a manufacturer who could produce what he wanted. He stayed three weeks.