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An LGBTQ rainbow flag will be one of the 10 options players and fans have to choose for back tags on Philadelphia Union’s new away jersey.
Local sports radio and television personality Spike Eskin chose the rainbow flag with a Union snake logo as one of the design options that fans voted on through social media.
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From the Union website:
One of Spike Eskin’s favorite hats is from Mitchell and Ness and sports the Union logo. He wanted his back tag design to reflect his passion for the city of Philadelphia and the passion that the city itself can call forth when for the things it cares about. The pride back tag was the only tag to include multiple colors, and that’s because it was necessary to show how the city reflects many people and ideas. And when Philadelphia sports fans cheer for their teams, they unite as one voice full of that pride and passion that is so important to Eskin.
Eskin’s winning design and those from Zach and Julie Ertz and Jorge Alfaro were announced on Tuesday.
Many entered, few made the first cut, and even fewer became winners - check the first set of 2019 Union back tags and RSVP for the jersey release party here: https://t.co/ZhdpsvZgI4#InfluencedByU | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/fROahhPSDO
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) January 29, 2019
Zach and Julie Ertz’s winning design is the skyline of Philadelphia and Alfaro’s is a liberty bell.
The Ertzes wanted their back tag choices to reflect their love of Philadelphia, and the winning tag certainly does that. A broad outline of Philadelphia’s skyline, the back tag embraces the look and feel of the city where Zach won a championship and where Julie has become a vital part of the local community. Both are champions in their respective sports, but it’s their dedication to helping Philadelphia continue to grow and thrive that has enshrined them as local heroes.
The liberty bell is one of the defining symbols of Philadelphia, and the snake is a defining symbol of the city’s soccer team, Philadelphia Union. Jorge Alfaro grew up loving the beautiful game, and he has developed a love for the city of Philadelphia as a member of the Phillies. Alfaro’s winning back tag combines his love of soccer, a sport many of his heroes have played, with the growing bond he has for Philly and the ideals it represents both historically and today.
Announcements are still pending on the other seven designs.