More than 7,000 fans showed up to exchange their Ray Rice jerseys for those of other Ravens players during a two-day event at Baltimore's home, team officials said Saturday.
The Ravens handed out 5,595 new jerseys before running out before midday Saturday, then issued more than 2,400 vouchers for fans to pick up their jerseys once new shipments arrive in October.
Team spokesman Kevin Byrne said the Ravens spent "six figures" on the trade-in. He declined to disclose an exact figure.
"We anticipated over the two days getting about 5,000 people, so we got about 2,000 more," Byrne said. "We just felt it was the right thing to do."
Byrne said the jerseys collected by the team will be given to companies that deal in scrap materials.
"The NFL licensed jerseys are not recyclable because of certain materials in parts of the jersey, so what we're going to do is offer them to companies who deal in scrap," Byrne said. "We're not getting paid for it. We'll just give it to them and they can do with it as they please."
Fans began lining up as early as 4 a.m. on the first day of the exchange Friday. By the time gates opened at 8 a.m. Friday, there were estimated to be more than 1,000 people in a line that stretched at least halfway around the stadium.
The most requested jerseys, according to the team, were those of quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Jeter bashing
Gatorade's new Derek Jeter commercial featuring the legendary shortstop walking to work and embracing New Yorkers seems to be getting positive reviews by everyone.
Well, almost everyone.
Chris Carlin, the co-host of SportsNet New York's Loudmouths, isn't a big fan. Carlin called Jeter a "fraud" for doing the ad, saying that it's not reflective of who he actually is. He then called the rest of us "suckers" for buying into it.
"It's that this has never been what Derek Jeter has been about," Carlin said. "He has been about the team -- not me. He's never let us into his personal life, because he's always been about the team.
"Frankly he's being a complete fraud right now."
Towering inferno?
The Cleveland planning commission approved a 10-story-high banner of Lebron James to hang on a downtown wall.
Wrote Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: "In case Lebron changes his mind again, hope the banner will be fireproof."
Hogan's hero
New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, to reporters, when asked if he understands the NFL's new drug policy: "I know nothing. Zero. Like Sergeant Schultz."
Sports quiz
Name the former Cleveland Indians pitcher who gave up Derek Jeter's first major-league home run April 2, 1996.
Sports answer
Dennis Martinez
Sports on 09/21/2014