Any self-respecting Texan can vividly recall images of running back Earl Campbell plowing through defenders, his jersey turning to tissue as opposing players try in vain to bring him to the ground.
Tear-away jerseys, a normal part of American football many decades ago, allowed powerful runners like Campbell to ignore any little tugs on the jersey, which would simply fall away. At times Campbell would finally be taken down 30 yards from scrimmage with a pile of defenders in his wake and shreds of his jersey left on his body.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is no Earl Campbell, but he brought back the tear-away jerseys against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Early in the match at St. Mary’s Stadium, Luka Milivojevic grasped at Højbjerg and only came away with a handful of jersey that tore off the Southampton player’s body like loosely taped wrapping paper.
Slight wardrobe malfunction pic.twitter.com/FrliFOihN1
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 28, 2019
Højbjerg would replace his Southampton jersey with one that stayed in tact for the rest of the match, a 1-1 draw.
We’d love to see more teams employ this type of tear-away jersey. Refs would have no choice but to call a foul when a lumbering defender grasps at Kylian Mbappé and comes away only with a handful of shirt.
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