Tulane HC Says Northwestern Didn't Let Team Use Uniforms Recognizing Hurricane Katrina

Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall told reporters Saturday that Northwestern didn't allow the Green Wave to wear white uniforms during Saturday's 23-3 win, jerseys that were a nod to the 2005 squad who played in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"When you disrespect the city of New Orleans, you're going to run into it," he added. "I'm not trying to be a jerk but don't disrespect the City of New Orleans."

According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Tulane's request was made on Aug. 17, "well after such uniform changes are normally made."

Instead of wearing white uniforms, Tulane chose not to wear decals on their helmets for Saturday's matchup:

This week is the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall on Aug. 29, 2005. That year, Tulane didn't open its season until Sept. 17 at the Independence Stadium in Shreveport, wearing green helmets and white jerseys.

In the NCAA's rule book from the 2024 season, it noted on uniforms that the "visiting team shall wear white jerseys; however, the home team may wear white jerseys if the teams have agreed in writing before the season."

It's unclear if Northwestern chose to deny a written request from Tulane on the matter, or if the request came more recently. Either way, it clearly rankled Sumrall, who used the uniform denial as bulletin-board material.

"[The players] had a chip on their shoulder," he said. "... We might have used that as a little bit of motivation to represent the city [of New Orleans]."