Lt. Col. Randall V. Simmons, representing the Georgia National Guard, presented Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel and Head Football Coach Jeff Monken with special custom Nike dark blue digital camouflage jerseys, which will be worn by the Eagles for the Military Appreciation Game Oct. 13 against Wofford at Paulson Stadium.
    A Georgia Southern alumnus and decorated officer, Simmons presented Monken with the No. 48 jersey, to represent the 48th Infantry Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.
    Instead of a single name, “EAGLES” was embroidered on the front nameplate and “Always Ready, Always There” is sublimated into the jersey fabric on the back.
    Georgia Southern’s traditional dark blue helmet will feature a red stripe representing the sacrifices of freedom, flanked with a thin bright yellow stroke on each side.
    The gray numerals on each side of the helmet will also be outlined in red and yellow.
    “Military Appreciation Day at Georgia Southern is just one small way we can honor the men and women who serve our country and protect our freedom,” said Monken. “Wearing these special uniforms on the field will show our support for our veterans, for our active duty military, and for those who have made the supreme sacrifice for our great nation.”