# Anyone else tired of throwback uniforms? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 29, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718 "2008-09-29T15:15:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/21 "2008-09-29T20:52:37Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The Bears do this very badly by simply wearing the same uniforms (apparently) they’ve had since about 1975. They were ugly then and they’re ugly now. You are nuts, my friend. The Bears have probably the finest Uni’s in the NFL and watching a NFC North Divisional game is one of the most aesthetically pleasing experience in the NFL. The Bears Uni’s have been the same for so long because they are essentially perfect and echo the style of bruising Bear football we intend to play. For the record, the Bears Uniforms have been essentially Identical since 1949 (the only change has been the gradual shortening of the sleeve and the addition of the GSH memorial) and the helmets have been the same since 1962 (though they changed from white to orange and white in 1973). The Packers have been similarly consistent, sporting the same Unis since 1959 and the same helmets since 1961. The Lions have essentially had the same uniform since 1949 and have had the same helmet logo since 1960. The Vikings, the new kids on the block, are the only divergence. They wore the same unis from 1961 until 2005 and have always had basically the same helmet logo. The side and shoulder stripes debuted in 2006 are a very unfortunate turn of events, but generally speaking they still look the same from a distance. Throwback is a meaningless term for us in the Black and Blue, we got things right with the advent of Television and have happily embraced it. All in all, I like throwback unis (or third alternate unis). There’s nothing wrong with a little variety so long as you don’t overdo it. I’m one of the guys who simply loves watching games where the Chargers trot out those gorgeous baby blues. The child of the 80’s inside of me still has an attachment to the cartoonish colors and logos of Tampa, New England and St Louis/Los Angeles. The use of throwbacks has inspired the improvements to the current Jets and Giants unis. Uniform changes are fun, some for being good and some for being bad, and anything that inspires a little playfulness into the No Fun League is a good thing. The Fighting Illini recently trotted out some [Dick Butkus era](http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=140027&postcount=5) uniforms that absolutely own the current incarnation. One can fantasize that the suits at Nike will take advantage and give us something similar as the permanent uni in the years to come. Without the throwback I probably would not have realized how cool that uni was since all pictures from that era are black and white. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/22 "2008-09-29T21:11:45Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > You are nuts, my friend. The Bears have probably the finest Uni’s in the NFL and watching a NFC North Divisional game is one of the most aesthetically pleasing experience in the NFL. The Bears Uni’s have been the same for so long because they are essentially perfect and echo the style of bruising Bear football we intend to play. If by style of football, you mean “ugly”, then yes, your uniforms are a perfect reflection. 😃 I’ll admit that the _other_ NFC North teams have nice uniforms. The Packers’ “green and gold” irritates me a bit because it’s not frikkin’ gold- it’s yellowish. Gold is, well, gold-colored. The Packers’ “gold” is more like… polished cheddar. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/23 "2008-09-29T22:51:19Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Feh. (Association) football kit looks pretty much the same now as it did then. The only difference is now they’re polyester (or whatever uberfabric Nike is hocking this week) instead of cotton. > > And the sponsors’ logos. “Feh”? You’re right to a point, I guess; the difference was subtle, or _subtlety_ if you like. No stupid piping, no SweatWick™, no daft collars that change just enough season-on-season to warrant making every fan buy a new kit. And yeah, no sponsors, no names; just numbers. It looked good. Really good. I realise there’s literally no chance that shirt sponsors will disappear, but the fact was that it looked like a shirt to be proud of, rather than something to be swapped with the nearest opponent, even if it’s only half time. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/24 "2008-09-29T23:01:38Z")
While I’m curmudgeoning, I’ll note that their only mistake was to deliberately lead kids [onto their lawn](http://fourfourtwo.com/contentimages/gallery/items/Eng_Manchester-derby-2.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/25 "2008-09-30T00:21:33Z")
Penn State. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/26 "2008-09-30T04:30:10Z")
You must not be a REAL fan then. Everybody knows that you’re not a REAL fan of a team unless you own at least one of every possible jersey your team uses (home, road, alternate, and all the various throwbacks). ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/27 "2008-09-30T11:13:36Z")
Yeah, the motivation for the throwbacks is about 95% cynical profiteering, taking advantage of the die-hards and completists who have to own at least one of every alternate jersey. That said, I usually enjoy the change of pace. Of course, I’m a fan of a team that decided to adopt throwbacks as their [standard](http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/new/content_images/Eli.jpg) [uniform](http://beat.bodoglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/eli-manning-giants1.jpg), which annoys me to no end because their 80’s-era uniforms were [fantastic](http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0525/nfl_g_ltaylor_300.jpg). The helmet, especially, was a cooler, darker shade of blue. I have particularly fond memories of their all-white [road jerseys](http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii261/funkbutter/graphics/Sports/athletes_lawrence_taylor.jpg). Why they want the modern team to wear grey and red on the road is baffling to me. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/28 "2008-09-30T11:52:50Z")
I’d like to see the Broncos in orange more often. Once a year isn’t nearly enough. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/29 "2008-09-30T12:53:31Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Penn State. They are so old school they don’t even put the players names on the back. If they could just lose the Nike swoosh that is on every damned thing. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/30 "2008-10-01T14:16:58Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > Of course, I’m a fan of a team that decided to adopt throwbacks as their [standard](http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/new/content_images/Eli.jpg) [uniform](http://beat.bodoglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/eli-manning-giants1.jpg), which annoys me to no end because their 80’s-era uniforms were [fantastic](http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0525/nfl_g_ltaylor_300.jpg). I, on the other hand, love the current (real!) Giants uniforms. I like the gray pants a million times more than the white ones. I still find it jarring any time I see highlights of current players wearing white pants. And I’m glad they got rid of the _ **GIANTS** _ on the helmet and went back to the **ny**. Enough with the pissy “you’re not a New York team if you play in New Jersey!” bitching and moaning from the likes of Ed Koch. New Jersey is great state, and there is nothing wrong with playing your games there while still identifying as the New York Giants. You don’t hear people whining about how they’re the Maryland Redskins, do you? And fuck Ed Koch, that fucking prick. He should have given them a ticker tape parade. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/31 "2008-10-01T14:37:00Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > New Jersey is great state, and there is nothing wrong with playing your games there while still identifying as the New York Giants. You don’t hear people whining about how they’re the Maryland Redskins, do you? TMQ does. The Redskins will always be the Potomac Drainage Basin Indigenous Persons to me. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/32 "2008-10-01T22:40:26Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > It can bring out the real essence, the true feelings some teams are trying to portray. For instance, have you ever seen the [Eagles](http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/getty/2007/09000d5d80299c19_gallery_600.jpg) look… prettier? The last time I was in Vegas, I actually saw a guy wearing one of those. The only conclusion I could draw was that he lost a bet. That having been said, and I apologize for the Madden screenshot, I really like the [Bills throwbacks](http://www.buffalobills.com/uploads/photo/E7805082512141C78005687CFB8038A9.jpg) they’ve been using for the past few years. I like them more than the actual uniform. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/33 "2008-10-01T22:51:01Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > TMQ does. > > The Redskins will always be the Potomac Drainage Basin Indigenous Persons to me. Yeah… Isn’t being able to read a map a requisite for passing 8th grade? East Rutherford is in a _DIFFERENT STATE_. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/34 "2008-10-01T22:52:39Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > That having been said, and I apologize for the Madden screenshot, I really like the [Bills throwbacks](http://www.buffalobills.com/uploads/photo/E7805082512141C78005687CFB8038A9.jpg) they’ve been using for the past few years. I like them more than the actual uniform. I do too. And switching to baseball, I’m a big fan of the Braves throwback with the rose on the shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/35 "2008-10-01T23:33:04Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I’d like to see the Broncos in orange more often. Once a year isn’t nearly enough. That reminds me, have the Broncos ever had a “turn back the clock” game with [the original team uniforms from 1960](http://www.endzonesportscharities.org/hunisbnr.jpg) (see the uniform on the far left) with [the infamous vertically striped socks](http://www.endzonesportscharities.org/history)? I think seeing those again would be a good argument against throwback uniforms. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/36 "2008-10-02T00:38:07Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > That reminds me, have the Broncos ever had a “turn back the clock” game with [the original team uniforms from 1960](http://www.endzonesportscharities.org/hunisbnr.jpg) (see the uniform on the far left) with [the infamous vertically striped socks](http://www.endzonesportscharities.org/history)? I think seeing those again would be a good argument against throwback uniforms. I don’t know of any, but I actually would love it if they wore those for a game, in that hilariously bad kind of way. They don’t have to go all the way to throwbacks as far as I’m concerned; I’d be happy to see them in the alternate home orange jerseys once a month or so. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/37 "2008-10-02T05:08:02Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > Yeah… Isn’t being able to read a map a requisite for passing 8th grade? East Rutherford is in a _DIFFERENT STATE_. As opposed to Maryland, which is in Washington D.C.? And in case you were unaware, the “New York” in New York Giants and New York Jets is a reference to New York City, not New York State. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@The\_Tof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tof)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/38 "2008-10-02T09:27:37Z")
I enjoy the throwbacks. But that may be because my teams throwbacks are [beautiful](http://www.chargers.com/history/uniforms-visual.htm) I’d love for them to wear the [79-83](http://www.chargers.com/history/uniforms-visual.htm#1979) version sometime. Of course, even the old 60’s uniforms are gone, since our alternate uniform is now a powder blue version of our standard uniform. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/39 "2008-10-02T13:19:37Z")
I like a lot of the throwbacks. I’m weird i guess but my favorite jerseys of all time (and I’m not even a fan of these teams) are: [![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31PT4X2J2EL._AA280_.jpg) ](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31PT4X2J2EL._AA280_.jpg) [http://www.bonesville.net/articles/RonCherubini/PirateTimeMachine/2003/walker\_nfl.jpg](http://www.bonesville.net/articles/RonCherubini/PirateTimeMachine/2003/walker_nfl.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718/40 "2008-10-02T13:38:30Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > And in case you were unaware, the “New York” in New York Giants and New York Jets is a reference to New York City, not New York State. Er… what difference does it make? They don’t play in NYC either. It doesn’t bother me with the Jets, since they were originally only meant to play at Giants Stadium for a couple of seasons while they worked out where to build their own stadium- and they were actually _trying_ to build a stadium in NYC until quite recently… but the Giants have been a NJ team for years and years and probably will be forever. Go ahead and acknowledge the move. It’s not as though the fans will abandon the team for the Jets or something. The Skins/Maryland thing is a bit different anyway. Large swaths of the neighboring states are effectively part of the DC area, including Landover. Tyson’s Corner in McLean, VA is a _Washington_ mall, even though it’s in a different state. East Rutherford is not considered a suburb of NYC though, AFAIK. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-tired-of-throwback-uniforms/465718.md?page=3)