Major League Soccer Team to Honor Johnny Cash on Uniforms
Well this is pretty damn cool.
Nashville’s Major League Soccer Team Nashville SC will play their season opener against New York City FC on Saturday, February 25th in a nationally-televised game. And when they do, they will be honoring the Man in Black.
Announced late last week, Johnny Cash will be the inspiration for Nashville FC’s secondary uniforms for at least the next two upcoming MLS seasons. Working with the Cash estate and John Carter Cash, they have designed all black uniforms with graphite accents that include Johnny Cash’s signature on the back collar, and Cash’s portrait photo from Folsom Prison on the tag.
“From the first day we started Nashville Soccer Club, we talked a lot about being ‘uniquely Nashville,’” says Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. “This city is steeped in music history and icons of that industry—none more so than the Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash. From our opening match on Feb. 29, 2020 … there has clearly been a strong connection between both the Cash family and the NSC family. I don’t think there can be a greater tribute to Johnny’s place in music history or Nashville than to have a team full of Men in Black take the field on behalf of Nashville SC.”
In fact, there seems to be an effort underway to refer to the Nashville SC players as “The Men In Black.” This presents an aspect we never thought of before in country music or any other genre: what if a country artist became not exactly the mascot, but the rallying cry of a professional sports team? That would certainly be one way to keep their legacy alive.
“It’s about the connection with the people,” says John Carter Cash. “It’s exciting to see his name of a jersey, and everyone wearing black. And knowing those little kids out there are going to be enjoying the game and connecting with my father’s music perhaps, and connecting with the whole spirit of what he had to offer in his life. My dad had great diversity of course, and character, and I believe that the music is intriguing. My father is mysterious in his own right. In the eternal image of ‘cool,’ I think the jersey is a wonderful representation.”
As we’ve seen, the appeal for Johnny Cash crosses genres, generations, and international borders. This feels like a classy and cool way to honor Johnny Cash while not making a caricature out of him, and help keep his legacy alive in Music City and beyond.
February 20, 2023 @ 11:14 am
Johnny Cash’s legacy has been reduced to that of a southern branding equivalent of Tap Out or Affliction (t-shirts)
February 20, 2023 @ 1:02 pm
When I first heard about this, that was my fear, and not to say that the Hot Topic aspect of Johnny Cash’s image hasn’t been nauseating. But I feel like this was very tastefully done. Subtle, but cool. And if the team ends up being nicknamed “The Men in Black” and it becomes synonymous with the team, I think that would be super cool.
February 21, 2023 @ 5:44 am
There would likely be objection to “Men in Black” from the USSR portion of Nashville – (East Nashville) Gender is just a construct and white men including Mexicans cannot appropriate “blackness.”
February 21, 2023 @ 8:39 am
Okay…
February 21, 2023 @ 8:51 am
Yep, just like when liberal Hollywood boycotted the Men in Black movies. Oh yeah, that didn’t happen. Hopefully your comment was a joke.
February 21, 2023 @ 11:07 am
It was.
February 20, 2023 @ 12:49 pm
I’ve been seeing those signs all around Nashville, but I’m not a sports guy so I wasn’t in the loop. Thanks for the info.
February 20, 2023 @ 2:23 pm
$159.99, but it ships for free!
February 20, 2023 @ 3:49 pm
Honestly the uniform looks very slick. Very cool and unexpected for me as a fan of both country and soccer/football
February 20, 2023 @ 6:29 pm
To Corncaster and Trevistrat,
Thank you for the hearty recommendation to see Tab Benoit.
Walked up to the venue this afternoon. Doors were locked but a light was on just inside the locked doors to the left. Knocked, someone named Kathy opened the door, & voila – ticket.
Really looking forward to seeing him tomorrow evening.
: D And, Johnny Cash soccer jerseys – why not?
Cool.
February 21, 2023 @ 9:40 am
Very nice of them, although I personally am not a big soccer fan, I applaud them for doing such a nice jesture.
February 22, 2023 @ 12:31 pm
Well, I wonder why they always dress in black, and why we never see bright colors on their backs. And why does their appearance seem to have a somber tone? Is there a reason for the clothes that they have on?
February 24, 2023 @ 5:10 pm
Everything is hype now. Everything. Everybody got to pimp something, front something, fake something. All for attention and a dollar. Look at me. Click on this. Buy that.
February 28, 2023 @ 10:07 am
Hey Trigger, just want to issue a minor correction.
The match was at Nashville SC’s own stadium, Geodis Park, NOT at Nissan Stadium.
February 28, 2023 @ 10:28 am
Huh that’s weird because a ton of reports said it was happening at Nissan Stadium. But since they have their own stadium now, I’m not sure why they would play at Nissan. I’ve corrected the story.