Let's blame Nike and Oregon Ducks with this ever-revolving costumes, as if they were a Broadway musical and not a football team. How many uniform variations did, for example, did the Philadelphia Eagle employ this season? White, Metallic Green, Black, Kelly Green? In 18 games (not including preseason, where nobody gives a shit), they probably wore the same helmet/jersey/pants combination maybe three times, and those where when they blessed us with the old Kelly Green look. And let's not even talk about the atrocities of the City Editions uniforms in baseball and basketball. It's all a marketing/merchandising ploy. There was a time not too long ago when a team wore throwback uniforms, it was a big deal. Now, it is so ubiquitous, it has become blase. If everything is "special", then by definition, noting is special.
Back in 1992, when the Seahawks and Patriots were terrible and competing for the top overall draft pick, this would have been one of the best Super Bowl uniforms match-ups ever.
Oh, how we have devolved as a society in 33 years.
They haven’t been in a Super Bowl in years, but the Tennessee Titans have a logo that that got them “re-named” years ago by the column/blog Tuesday Morning Quarterback: the Flaming Thumbtacks. I have called them that ever since.
Solid take. The part about superstition dictating design is probaly the most honest explanation for why teams refuse to revert to better looks. Winning in bad jerseys becomes proof that bad jerseys are somehow good. I never thought about the militarization angle before, but looking at those metalic Patriots uniforms, it's kinda hard to unsee once it's pointed out.
Thank you for bringing attention to this important matter and for working through it to explain why this is an aesthetic issue more than mere nostalgia. Denver’s old Orange Crush uniforms were always my favorite and the ones they switched to the 90s have all those godawful hallmarks you describe. Not just the darker shade of blue, even the orange is less vibrant. What a tragedy.
I agree with your take that recently redesigned NFL uniforms are largely terrible or boring, and it always struck me that uniform colors, fabrics, and styles were a lot better in the 1970s than they are today. But the biggest uniform missteps by the NFL were allowing truncated sleeves and permitting pants to end above the knee. So many great designs require actual sleeves, and knee pads would seem like a safety issue.
Good article. I think all the alternates, and stylized logos came about because the NFL saw how big the jersey market was becoming in the 90s. They recognized every time they released a new logo redesign or alternate jersey, superfans would run out and buy 'em. The profit motive didn't care much about aesthetic damage. (Recent "color rush" jerseys felt like the most comical middle-finger to devoted fans who buy every alternate).
NHL got in on the racket too in the late 90s, redesigning a lot of sweaters, tossing out traditional team colors. But they've circled back to classic Ranger, Islander, Sabre uniforms etc. I guess the bilked fans (then) had to re-buy the original jerseys..
I’m solidly in agreement with you on the aesthetic issues, but two quick quibbles:
“ a man in full revolutionary garb known colloquially as Pat Patriot would step up under center “
Pat’s not under center, he IS the center. That’s one great thing about the logo: it depicts a lineman instead of a so-called skill player.
Also, did the irony not strike you that the Pats, Eagles and Bucs all started winning superbowls after they ruined their unis? The Chargers, lauded here for steadfastly remaining colorful, haven’t won anything.
It would be such an easy win for the Pats to wear the red jerseys and old helmets. But they are 4-2 in the Super Bowl wearing the white shirts and as a fan, to be so lucky for all of the amazing games, makes me reluctant to complain about any of it. (I am comfortable saying the 0-1 record with the red jersey has a bit more to do with the 1986 match up than the shirt color.) I think this is the first white/white combo for NE in the Super Bowl and I think the color contrast with Seattle will be pleasing on TV.
Let's blame Nike and Oregon Ducks with this ever-revolving costumes, as if they were a Broadway musical and not a football team. How many uniform variations did, for example, did the Philadelphia Eagle employ this season? White, Metallic Green, Black, Kelly Green? In 18 games (not including preseason, where nobody gives a shit), they probably wore the same helmet/jersey/pants combination maybe three times, and those where when they blessed us with the old Kelly Green look. And let's not even talk about the atrocities of the City Editions uniforms in baseball and basketball. It's all a marketing/merchandising ploy. There was a time not too long ago when a team wore throwback uniforms, it was a big deal. Now, it is so ubiquitous, it has become blase. If everything is "special", then by definition, noting is special.
Back in 1992, when the Seahawks and Patriots were terrible and competing for the top overall draft pick, this would have been one of the best Super Bowl uniforms match-ups ever.
Oh, how we have devolved as a society in 33 years.
/End of Mid-age Man rant.
The Los Angeles Rams' devolving into what they wear now is like ... they forgot they were Rams and became knockoff shoe logos.
They haven’t been in a Super Bowl in years, but the Tennessee Titans have a logo that that got them “re-named” years ago by the column/blog Tuesday Morning Quarterback: the Flaming Thumbtacks. I have called them that ever since.
Dark colors as propaganda. That's pretty interesting and depressing at the same time.
Solid take. The part about superstition dictating design is probaly the most honest explanation for why teams refuse to revert to better looks. Winning in bad jerseys becomes proof that bad jerseys are somehow good. I never thought about the militarization angle before, but looking at those metalic Patriots uniforms, it's kinda hard to unsee once it's pointed out.
Thank you for bringing attention to this important matter and for working through it to explain why this is an aesthetic issue more than mere nostalgia. Denver’s old Orange Crush uniforms were always my favorite and the ones they switched to the 90s have all those godawful hallmarks you describe. Not just the darker shade of blue, even the orange is less vibrant. What a tragedy.
Good Lord, how could I forget to mention the Broncos? Throwbacks regrets the omission.
I agree with your take that recently redesigned NFL uniforms are largely terrible or boring, and it always struck me that uniform colors, fabrics, and styles were a lot better in the 1970s than they are today. But the biggest uniform missteps by the NFL were allowing truncated sleeves and permitting pants to end above the knee. So many great designs require actual sleeves, and knee pads would seem like a safety issue.
Good article. I think all the alternates, and stylized logos came about because the NFL saw how big the jersey market was becoming in the 90s. They recognized every time they released a new logo redesign or alternate jersey, superfans would run out and buy 'em. The profit motive didn't care much about aesthetic damage. (Recent "color rush" jerseys felt like the most comical middle-finger to devoted fans who buy every alternate).
NHL got in on the racket too in the late 90s, redesigning a lot of sweaters, tossing out traditional team colors. But they've circled back to classic Ranger, Islander, Sabre uniforms etc. I guess the bilked fans (then) had to re-buy the original jerseys..
I’m solidly in agreement with you on the aesthetic issues, but two quick quibbles:
“ a man in full revolutionary garb known colloquially as Pat Patriot would step up under center “
Pat’s not under center, he IS the center. That’s one great thing about the logo: it depicts a lineman instead of a so-called skill player.
Also, did the irony not strike you that the Pats, Eagles and Bucs all started winning superbowls after they ruined their unis? The Chargers, lauded here for steadfastly remaining colorful, haven’t won anything.
Was that Curt Warner in the good ole' days hawks uniform?
No, but this is. https://x.com/MichaelWeinreb/status/2017294722688254348?s=20
From Seattle… our uniforms aren’t great, but they are unique.
They fit the PNW vibe.
There are elements that give a nod to indigenous culture here and are pretty connected to the name.
To me this feels legit & not “blah-blah-blah” to justify a crummy uniform.
All that said, all blue head to toe is SUPER boring.
The throw backs are what most love.
A throwback uniform Super Bowl would be GLOOOOORRRRIOUS!
It would be such an easy win for the Pats to wear the red jerseys and old helmets. But they are 4-2 in the Super Bowl wearing the white shirts and as a fan, to be so lucky for all of the amazing games, makes me reluctant to complain about any of it. (I am comfortable saying the 0-1 record with the red jersey has a bit more to do with the 1986 match up than the shirt color.) I think this is the first white/white combo for NE in the Super Bowl and I think the color contrast with Seattle will be pleasing on TV.