So why was it initially on the banned name list? According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, the mishap occurred after a miscommunication that involved the sports apparel website Fanatics. Essentially, an MLB official asked that the name be banned, and an employee did so without a second thought.
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When people found out about not being allowed to purchase a jersey to honor the fallen gorilla, it gained attention and even became a Twitter Moment. As the news spread, Fanatics officials came to understand that the ban wasn’t needed, and lifted it.
So go to NFL Shop and purchase all the Harambe jerseys, because it’s what the Cincinnati gorilla would have wanted.
