Does the NFL still stand for the National Football League, or hasit been changed to the National Fashion League? With just about everyteam in the league unveiling new uniform styles each week, I can’tfigure out if teams’ main focus is to win games or look pretty.
Seriously.
What is the deal with these third-colored jerseys and mixing andmatching each one with different colored pants? I don’t know whichteam is which from week to week, and it’s driving me crazy.
A lot of fans probably like the variations, but not me. Not onlydo these new looks ruin tradition, but many of these uniforms aresimply hideous. Organizations are mixing colors on uniforms thatshouldn’t be mixed together, and the sight of them makes it difficultto watch some games.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the worst uniforms in the NFL:
Miami Dolphins’ orange alternates: When I tuned into ESPN to watchthe Sunday night game between Miami and Washington two weeks ago, Icouldn’t believe what I saw. I thought I was watching the MiamiHurricanes playing the Redskins. That was until I realized the teamin those blinding bright orange jerseys was the Dolphins. Were theguys on the field football players or traffic control officers? Icouldn’t tell.
Cleveland”Browns”: It’s odd enough that the Browns have always worn orangehelmets, but that’s been balanced with brown jerseys for decades.Now, the Browns don’t even wear a single shade of it for some games(except for the stripe on their helmets) thanks to their new orangejerseys that absolutely suck. Young NFL fans shouldn’t pay anyattention to Cleveland’s deceitful use of color names.
Seattle Seahawks’ new duds: Their uniforms up until last seasonscreamed 1980s and desperately needed to be updated, but now I wish Icould go back in time to watch them play. Can somebody tell me whatthat disgusting color is that they wear? Is it blue, silver or someweird mix? When you figure it out, let me know what it’s called.
Tennessee Titans’ blues: Where were the fashion police on openingday when we needed them? The Titans opened the 2003 season with,without a doubt, the ugliest, most ridiculous uniforms I have everseen. The dark blue pants with baby blue jerseys were so repulsive,it would’ve been strenuous on the eyes for Ray Charles to watch thegame. I didn’t even know that many shades of blue existed.
New Orleans Saints’ “Dark Side”: For years, the Saints have alwayshad two uniforms: black on gold and white on gold. But then theycommitted a uniform sin – something reserved only for high school andcollege teams – when they came out with their black-on-black uniformstwo years ago. Since then, they’ve also worn gold jerseys and whitejerseys with black pants. This organization has tried too hard tomake a fashion statement.
Philadelphia Eagles’ true green: When I think of the Eagles, greenis the first color that comes to mind. But recently, the team debutedits new black jersey. Black? They’re not the Raiders. It’s sad thattradition has been thrown out the door for the love of money – theonly green Philly management seems to care about.
You might be thinking to yourself that I should get with the timesand that change is good. Believe me, I’m an open-minded guy who likesnew things. However, new doesn’t always equal better.
Especially when they’re just trying to make some extra cash.
– Simon Samano is a journalism senior and a staff writer for TheDaily Aztec, who likely can be found wearing a fire-truck red RonnieLott throwback. Send letters to dailyaztecsports@yahoo.com.
– This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of TheDaily Aztec.
