…in college sports. (football) And what is it’s purpose?
Found this
REDSHIRT noun [1950-55] a high school or college athlete who is kept out of varsity competition for a year in order to extend the period of his eligibility (and the verb is to do so), to develop skills, or possibly for recovery from an injury [Etymology: so called from the red jersey commonly worn by such a player in practice scrimmages against the regulars]. ‘Henderson is recovering from knee surgery, so a medical redshirt is a possibility—New York Times
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http://www.wordwizard.com/clubhouse/founddiscuss.asp?Num=3572
No relation to the Star Trek “red-shirts” (expendable low-grade crew of the old series Enterprise).
Didn’t anyone else think of Giuseppe Garibaldi?
To expand on the basic definition provided by Carl_A_Norris, redshirting is most common in colege football, but can be applied in any sport. The reason it is used by football teams is due to the fact that most incoming (true) freshman do not have the skills/size/speed to challenge for significant playing time. So, instead of wasting a year of their eligilbilty by letting them get on the field for just a few plays in blowout situations, a coach will only allow them to practice with the team, suit up for games but not let them play.
A medical redshirt can be granted under the same circumstances if a player suffers a season ending injury within the first 3 games of the season. Again, the NCAA has the final ruling on what players are allowed to recieve a red shirt (they don’t actually get a red t-shirt).
Typically, a freshman who’s been given a football scholarship is too small and too inexperienced to make the team. Moreover, many such kids have weak academic backgrounds, and are likely to have a hard time plunging right into college work.
By “redshirting” a freshman, the coach gives such a kid a year to work out, get a little bigger and stronger, and focus on his studies. In theory, he’ll be a better student and a more valuable player the following season.
As a result of red-shirting, yu’ll occasionally see guys who’ve already earned their bachelor’s degrees playing college football (Peyton Manning was one such player). Every player has a 4 year period of eligibility to play football- if you still have a year of eligibility after you get you B.A., you can take graduate courses and keep playing anohter year.
“Red shirt” was also used by gay fans of Xena: Warrior Princess to describe males who romanced Xena or Gabrielle. The implication was that they suited up but never got on the field of play.
Not unless he played college football. Which I doubt.