(Newser)
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At one Colorado school district, Peyton Manning fans will have to wait until after hours to show their colors. That's because Manning's number, 18, is associated with gangs, district officials tell the Indianapolis Star. In fact, the number 18 has been banned for years—but it was no big deal until it became Manning's number this year with the Denver Broncos. A range of other numbers are barred as well.
"People aren't certain if someone walking by, (wearing a) blue number 18 jersey, might be a member of 18th Street," says a police detective. "Confrontations occur frequently where they misperceive the individual as a gang member, when in reality they're just a student out on lunch." The school says the rules are working: "Since we instituted the dress code policy, we've heard from principals and our director of safety and security that the number of gang incidents in schools has been decreasing," says a district rep.
