School Bans Manning Jersey Over Gang Issue

Greeley School District Banned Clothing With "18" On It Because Of 18th Street Gang

Posted: 09/06/2012
Last Updated: 286 days ago

A third-grader has been sent home from a Greeley school to change out of his Peyton Manning jersey because Manning's No. 18 is too close to the name of a local gang.

The Greeley Tribune reported that the Greeley school district banned clothing with "18" on it three years ago because of the 18th Street Gang. Gang members have been convicted of intimidation, burglary, organized crime and other violations.

Officials say they don't want any gang-related clothes at school. Also banned are 13 and 14, affiliated with other gangs, and the reverse of all three numbers, 31, 41 and 81.

John Gates, the district's security director, says he's a fan of the Broncos and their new quarterback, but the ban works and there are no plans to change it.