NCAA to allow players to put social justice messages on uniforms

The NCAA will allow players to change their uniforms to support social justice causes, the organization announced Thursday.

The change was approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) and applies across all sports.

Players will be allowed to wear patches -- not to exceed 2 1/4 square inches -- on the front or side of their uniform "intended to celebrate or memorialize people, events or other causes."

Players will also be allowed to place messages on the backs of their uniforms in the spot where their last name traditionally goes.

This is a move a number of pro leagues have made in the wake of the George Floyd protests of May and June. The NBA in particular has been at the front of the line here.

All uniform changes are subject to team and/or conference approval.

Additionally, the PROP made a number of changes to sideline and pre-game protocols in order to account for social distancing.

Specifically, team areas will be extended from the 25- to the 15-yard line on both sidelines, providing each team an extra 20 yards of space.

Coin tosses will also be limited to two officials and one captain per team. Teams are traditionally permitted up to four captains per team, and coin tosses are commonly joined by cameramen and various VIPs -- all of whom will be required to remain on the sideline this fall.