No gray in new jerseys upsets Ohio State fans

COLUMBUS (AP) -- When it comes to their favorite team's football jerseys, there is no gray area for Ohio State fans.
The Buckeyes will wear a new design of Nike jersey this fall that features a shinier fabric that wicks away moisture.
When the new jersey was unveiled, fans of the scarlet-and-gray clad Buckeyes immediately lit up the lines to sports call-in shows -- the new tops have no gray on them.
School officials said a slimmer, formfitting design didn't leave room for any gray. The two white stripes on each sleeve are set off by black stripes -- but no gray.
In letters to the editor and an Internet poll on its Web site, The Columbus Dispatch has been besieged by fans upset by the new jerseys.
"Exclude Buckeyes gray: ridiculous. Now we look like the [Wisconsin] Badgers," wrote a fan from Florida.
Another accused Ohio State President Karen Holbrook and athletic director Gene Smith of selling out the university.
Ohio State has a six-year, $11.4-million contract with Nike, which provides uniforms and equipment for the school's athletic teams.
The players say they like the new material and seem bewildered that fans are angry over the color controversy. After all, the team's pants and helmets remain predominantly gray.
Frequently changed
The football team has changed uniform styles and designs frequently over the years. Changes have come under each of the past four coaches -- Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, John Cooper and Jim Tressel.
Bruce said the current controversy was overblown.
"I don't know that jerseys ever lost a football game," he said.