When John Pelphrey came out of the tunnel for the Texas game January 6th in a bright red sport jacket, he had no idea what he was about to start. The fans went nuts, message boards were lighting up with comments on the jacket, and Razorback fans all over the country were asking themselves, “how can I get one of those jackets?”
The jacket was John Pelphrey’s wife Tracy’s idea.
“I just thought it would be fun,” Tracy Pelphrey told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “He did it for the fans, because he knew they’d love seeing him in Razorback red.”
Well, the fans did love it, and now Hog Heaven, the Razorback apparel shop inside Bud Walton arena, is capitalizing on the jacket’s popularity.
For $22, Razorback fans can get a long sleeve t-shirt printed to mimic Pelphrey’s fashion-forward statement, with the slogan “It’s gotta be the jacket” printed on the back. The shirts are exclusive to the Hog Heaven store.
And they are selling like hot cakes. “These things have taken on a life of their own,” says Robert Mann, Director of Retail Operations at the Hog Heaven store inside Bud Walton arena. “We just put them on the shelves on Friday, and we’ve already sold a ton of them.”
Hog Heaven came up with the idea, and official apparel sponsor Addidas printed the shirts.
So what does Pelphrey think about them? “He thought they were hilarious. He was rolling around his office when I brought one over to show him.” Mann said. “You even got the tie right.” Pelphrey told Mann at the time.
The tie printed on the shirt is also fashioned after the tie Pelphrey wore during the Texas game, a multi-colored red striped number.
“I just wanted to touch his jacket,” freshman Courtney Fortson said after the Texas game. “He pulled that one out of the woodwork.”
Now, plenty of Hog fans will be able to get their hands on Pelphrey’s Texas game look. Hog Heaven is located at 1270 Leroy Pond Road on Fayetteville, inside Bud Walton Arena. You can call 479-575-3815 to purchase one of the red jacket t-shirts, and they are not currently available online.
Want.
I can’t support this until they move the graphic on the front up so it’s directly underneath the neckhole of the shirt. Also needs jacket buttons, and a little shadowing under the little flappy wing things (whatever they’re called) wouldn’t hurt. Realism counts!
I agree with Scott–it’s totally half-assed. It is not that hard to put that print at the top of the shirt. And for $20, I expect it to be right.
iT’S A tee shirt! Obviously you have never worked in this business or know anything about this sort of thing.
The screen is burned to fit ALL sizes, adult S-XXXL or whatever. The printers just put the screen on, line it up and run the shirts.
But really. It really matters? Come on guys, give them a break. No one else is this creative. I am impressed with the thought, creativity and the ability to get it turned around so fast. I mean really. The game was what? Tuesday? And they had it in the store FRIDAY? THAT is amazing.
I like it and already have one. I wore it and everyone I saw loved it. PLUS read the article, Coach P liked it too.
So, IMO… it’s a winner!
I wasn’t going to comment, but it seems that there are SO many people taking advantage of forums to rip other down. To just sit behind a computer and rag on anyone. NEVER saying anything positive. Never seeing the good efforts and what may REALLY be involved. Just rip everyting in site. It’s easy to tear someone down these days, but heaven forbid anyone ever say anything positive.
This is even more evident where the Razorbacks are concerned. Seems like ANYTHING that comes from the hill is always ripped to shreads.
Again, this is JUST A STINKING T-SHIRT! It’s A JOKE! IT’S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EXACTLY LIKE A JACKET! He wore the jacket on TUESDAY and they had a shirt about it on FRIDAY!
KUDOS TO THE FOLKS AT HOG HEAVEN FOR THE EFFORT! I LOVE IT!
C’mon, didn’t we learn anything from the legacy of George W. Bush? If you’re gonna do something, do it right! Now I don’t want to hear any more excuses, Real Hog Fan. You march right back into Hog Heaven and whip up an order of “It’s Gotta Be the Jacket” shirts made to spec! I don’t care if this requires summoning (luring? Do what’s gotta be done) Pelphrey into the back room and going nuts on him with a tape measure. I want this done in a scientific manner. I DEMAND it be done in a scientific manner. I want no detail overlooked. Then and only then will this franchise see a portion of my hard-earned $20.00.
I’m a very positive person, Real Hog Fan; and I think my posts on this site reflect that.
I resent that you think I’m hiding on this forum and using anonymity to rip on other people. I’m probably one of the few people here using my real name. Hell, that’s my picture to the left, and I live right here in Fayetteville. You don’t have to try real hard to find me. Hiding is not my thing.
That said, I do know a bit about the printing industry. My family owns a couple of screen printing presses. What you don’t seem to understand is that when you put a shirt on the board to be printed, that neck hole is in the same spot, no matter what the size. It just doesn’t make sense that they didn’t burn the screen so that it prints right at the top of the shirt. That’s why I don’t like it. It would have taken five minutes to figure out, but they didn’t.
Oh, and get off your high horse, because you’re doing exactly what you’re complaining about. You’re anonymously bitching about people anonymously bitching…Oh the irony.
I, on the other hand, am a pretty Negative Creep (and I’m stoned)… and pretty much a Total Bastard.
I think the shirt is ok, although I don’t understand what the words on the back are supposed to convey.
What, exactly “has go to be the jacket?” Huh? Tell me. What is it? I don’t get it. Might as well have just put FULSU or Texas Still Sucks or something else on the back if you ask me.
The idea gets majorly cheesy kudos for me, I think they half-assed the back of the shirt. Its like Jay Leno when he started out he would always explain his jokes… “See, this is funny and here’s why….”
The shirt on the front is a killer idea, but the back is like “See..hahah….Get it?” or something. Buck the fack of that shirt.
go hogs.
IT MEENS THAT THE JACKET IS THE REESUN WE WON DUMMY!! IF I GET ONE THE SLEAVES ARE COMIN OFF!! WOO! PIG SUEE!
WHY THE HELL WE GOT BEAT BY MISUSSIPI STAET THE OTHER DAY! I HATE IT WEN WE LOOSE!!!!11
I BLAM IT ON SENCHEZ! CAN HE SPEEK ENGLISH???
THATS WAT I THOUT!
Cool idea. I flipping loved Pelphrey in the red coat. It was T-rific. The “IT’S GOTTA BE THE JACKET” slogan is lame. Should’ve just put “GO HOGS” or “40 MINUTES OF PEL” or nothing at all on the back.
Real Hog Fan – I can tell you’re really pissed about still working as an assistant manager at the Hog Heaven store. Maybe they’ll notice that you’re defending their honor on local blogs and you’ll be on the fast track to success. Good luck!
Come on folks, have some fun with this. This shirt is not about life, it’s about loving something we haven’t had in a long time at Hawgville… an incredible coach who is having fun and pleasing the fans. Don’t blow it, go with it! Can you do that? Go buy a shirt, wear it, be proud and have some fun for a change.