Schools ban Peyton Manning jerseys

• Tweet

GREELEY, Colo., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Education officials in Greeley, Colo., said students will not be allowed to wear Peyton Manning jerseys to school due to the number 18's gang associations.

Weld County School District 6 said clothing bearing the number 18 has been banned for four years in the district due to its association with local gangs. Manning jerseys were added to the banned clothing list when he was given No. 18 by the NFL Denver Broncos this year, KUSA-TV, Denver, reported Thursday.

"We're really trying to eliminate or minimize the presence of gangs in our schools," spokesman Roger Fiedler said. "There are gangs in the community. We take a very aggressive stance in keeping that activity and that behavior off of school grounds. Part of that is banning some of the colors numbers and others insignia that are closely identified with gangs."