Why #6?

In class, one specific question has come up several times...why did Nelson Mandela wear a #6 jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup? Playing rugby for a few years, I have said in class from time to time that rugby jersey numbers are worn based on the position you play. #6 falls into the category of a "pack" member or forward. Similar to a linemen in American Football, the "pack" participates in the scrum in rugby and are the more rugged, dirty, tough"er" guys (I was a back, not a forward). As far as numbers within the pack goes, numbers 1 and 3 are worn by props, who are on the outside in the front row of a scrum. Props are lined up outside of the hooker who wears number 2. Second row players, or "lock's" are numbered 4 and 5, leaving the loose-forward "flankers" wearing numbers 6 and 7, and simply enough the "number 8" wears jersey #8. All of this is simplified in the picture.

Now, knowing Nelson Mandela wore a jersey that a usual flanker would wear, why was he given such number? As for the South African Springbok's, captain, Francois Pienaar played flanker and wore #6. The only logical explanation I can think of is, Captain Francois gave President Mandela his own jersey and we are blowing this out of proportion. However, I do believe there is a symbolic explanation for this. Francois Pienaar being the captain of the Springbok's and leading his team to win the World Cup gave his President his jersey to help and lead their country out of apartheid. The picture below is President Mandela presenting captain Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup after beating the All Blacks (ironic that South Africa given their circumstances played the New Zealand "All Blacks) in the finals in 1995.

Comparing the PGA to the LPGA and Their Many Differences

One thing I really liked when going to the website for the PGA was their home screen. Given the situation of the conclusion of the Ryder Cup, you had the option to enter via "Team Europe" or "Team USA". The Ryder Cup itself was really great although we lost such a close tournament and including the Ryder Cup to the website was a great idea. However, entering the website for the LPGA was a little more standardized...nothing too flashy. Other differences include mostly news about the Ryder Cup under the PGA and information on The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales where the tournament was held. Another difference I noticed was all the pink for the LPGA given October being the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Despite these differences, there were a few similarities as well.

Similarities for each website included; information on upcoming tournaments, players within the PGA and LPGA, as well as a pro shop for specific golf equipment just to name a few. As far as pay scales go, we discussed the numbers between men and women in golf in reference to Scott Kravitz' blog in class. I also noticed similar sponsors like Rolex, Titleist, FootJoy, and Cobra.

In thinking about greater gender equality in both the PGA and LPGA, I think about money. How can the LPGA bring more money into their tournaments? I don't have the answer to such question, but I can at least brainstorm some ideas. Maybe the PGA and LPGA can hold joint tournaments thus bringing in more revenue for the purse prizes. Or, maybe they can hold an alternate shot tournament inwhich a PGA player is paired with an LPGA player thus drawing the crowd and sponsors for a PGA tournament in reach with LPGA players. These may sound like a few ridiculous ideas but I really don't know how the LPGA can bring in more money to equal out the differences with the PGA.