Purdue football to honor Neil Armstrong on helmets

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WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue's football team will honor one of the school's most famous graduates, Neil Armstrong, with a new sticker on its helmets.

The decision was announced Monday and comes after coach Danny Hope shared stories of the astronaut following Armstrong's death Aug. 25. Fifth-year receiver Tommie Thomas then requested the team do something to honor the first man to walk on the moon.

Team officials agreed to use the sticker, which bears Armstrong's name and the dates of his birth and death. It will appear on the back of Purdue's old gold helmets just above the American flag starting with this week's game against Notre Dame and will remain there all season.

Armstrong graduated from Purdue in 1955.

The Boilermakers beat Eastern Kentucky 48-6 in Saturday's season opener.