Surname, Nickname or Message? Back Ideas for a Grambling Jersey

For the back of a custom Grambling State Tigers jersey, a surname is the classic choice, a nickname is the most personal, and a short message works best for gifts and group events. Whichever you pick, shorter usually reads better across the shoulders, so aim for one word, ideally under ten letters, and pair it with a number that means something to you. This post walks through each option with examples, explains how to judge length, and ends with a quick decision guide.

Option one: the surname

A surname looks the most like a team jersey. It is easy to recognize from the stands, and it works for anyone in a family who shares the name. If you are ordering for a parent, sibling and child at once, matching surnames with different numbers create a clear set.

Things to think about:

• Long surnames. A long name still works, but it fills more of the back and can look tight. Consider whether a shorter family nickname would read better.
• Prefixes and suffixes. Decide whether to include parts like “Jr” or “III.” Some people like them; others drop them to keep the back clean.
• Hyphenated names. Choose whether to keep the full hyphenated version or one part of it.

Option two: the nickname

A nickname turns the jersey into something only you would wear. It might be what friends have called you since school, a shortened first name, or a family pet name. Nicknames are usually short, which helps them read well.

A few ground rules:

• Pick one you would say out loud. You will hear it called out across a tailgate.
• Check the spelling with the person. Nicknames often have personal spellings that are easy to get wrong.
• Keep inside jokes readable. If strangers will see it, make sure it still makes sense to them, or at least is not confusing.

Option three: a short message

A message works well for gifts, reunions and celebrations. Examples might be “GRAD,” “CLASS,” “DAD,” “MOM,” “GRANDPA” or a single word that sums up a milestone. Group orders sometimes use one shared word on every jersey with different numbers.

• One word is strongest. Two short words can work, but a phrase quickly becomes hard to read from a distance.
• Tie it to the number. A graduation year or an anniversary year as the number turns the message into a story.
• Avoid dates as text. Put the year in the number field rather than spelling it out in letters.

Judging length

Write your choice in capital letters on paper and count the characters, including spaces. Then compare it with the names on ready-made listings in the Grambling Tigers jersey collection. A short word, as on the Grambling #25 listing or the Bayou #318 listing, reads instantly. A longer full name, as on a Keilon Elder #23 listing, takes up more width. Looking at those photos gives you a realistic sense of how your text will sit.

Matching the number to the words

The number is the other half of the back. Some pairings that work:

1. Surname + birth year digits for a family set.
2. Nickname + a favorite number from childhood sports.
3. Message + graduation or anniversary year for a milestone gift.
4. Shared word + different numbers for a group, so each jersey is distinct.

Entering it on the product page

When you are ready, this custom Grambling Tigers name and number listing is where you add your text. No special lettering instructions were captured for this page, so follow the instructions shown on the product page for the name and number fields. Type the text carefully, read it back once, and choose your color from the options listed: Black, Black Alter or Gold.

If none of these feel right

Not everyone wants personal lettering. The same 2025 Vapor Limited line has ready-made choices such as a Doug Williams #12 listing, a Willie Brown #24 listing, a Myles Crawley #7 listing and a Team #1 listing in Black Alter. Those give you a finished back without any decisions about wording.

Quick decision guide

• Want it to look like a team jersey? Surname.
• Want it to feel like yours alone? Nickname.
• Marking an occasion or ordering for a group? Short message.
• Still unsure? Write all three on paper, read them from across the room, and pick the one you can read fastest.