No, they don’t have to wear red shirts.

Most have heard the term “redshirt” in reference to an athlete who does not play a season in his or her sport. But several rules exist which are less commonly known.

NIU football coach Joe Novak said his goal is to not play any freshmen. So far, no true freshmen have seen playing time, compared to last year, where four true freshmen played.

“We know our time will come eventually,” redshirt freshman quarterback Andre Brown said. “But at the same time, we need to be prepared to go on the field at any moment.”

A player who plays a single minute in a game is no longer eligible for a non-medical redshirt unless under an extreme circumstance which must be approved by the NCAA.

Some players, such as wide-receiver P.J. Fleck, redshirted because of medical reasons. Fleck was sidelined by a pulled right hamstring last year, and received eligibility for a fifth year.

“Fleck, a year ago, played in our first three games,” Novak said, “but he had medical reasons that he couldn’t play the rest of the year, so he was a medical redshirt.”

Rather than play with his injury, Fleck and Novak opted for a medical.

“I’m definitely fortunate that I could come back and play this year,” Fleck said. “I’m extremely happy I came back.”

An NCAA rule states that a player who applies to redshirt for medical reasons must play less than 20 percent of the season.

Wide receiver Dan Sheldon was injured in the Oct. 4 game of the season against Ohio and will petition to redshirt at the end of this season. Sheldon played in five games, and is not expected to receive a redshirt.

“He has medical reasons, but he played in the fifth game,” Novak said. “Twenty percent would have been the third game. So, basically, after three games, your chances of becoming a medical redshirt aren’t very good. We’re going to petition, but I’m not very confident it’s going to happen.”

In most cases, athletes only have five years of eligibility, but there are medical exceptions.

“If you have two years of severe medical reasons or personal reasons that are extreme, then a youngster can apply for a sixth year of eligibility,” Novak said. “It can’t just be a redshirt where a kid doesn’t play. It’s very rare for that to happen.”