Mix-Match Mix ‘Em Up
What is this?! Why would they show the Bills vs. Browns on TV? I waited all week and this one of the games they show? What garbage! Wait a second, why is Bill Belichick coaching the Bills? Those aren’t the Bills at all, those are the Patriots! And its not the Browns either its the…Broncos? While I’m sure not everyone experienced quite the same reaction to the horrendous throw-back jerseys sported in Sunday’s 4 o’clock football game, I’ll bet that at least a couple of you were confused when the two teams took the field. Rather than mark a special occasion once a season, throw-back uniforms have almost become a weekly norm in the NFL. While it might be interesting to see how the teams of old once dressed themselves every now and then, this practice has gotten way out of hand.
The NFL is already supporting Breast Cancer month by adding pink to pretty much every aspect of the game, and I have no problem with this. I think it’s great that the NFL has taken it upon themselves to support such an important cause. However, when you add pink to ridiculous throw-back jerseys you get something else entirely. The teams, and refs, look absolutely ridiculous and I can’t help but feel bad for the players who are wearing outfits so hideous that they were retired for a reason.
The second problem I have with the “throw-out” uniforms is that it’s downright confusing. Even for fans like myself who are regular watchers of professional football it can be difficult to tell which teams are which when they wear completely unrecognizable uniforms. To the new fans and supporters of the NFL, keeping track of the different teams and their colors must seem like rocket science at this point. While the NFL may think that they are being unique and creative in their wardrobe decisions, they are alienating these new spectators of the game and will eventually lose their interest all together. In a time when professional sports need to do everything they can to INCREASE revenue, the NFL is taking a approach that is almost certain to show decreases.
In 5 weeks, some teams, including the Broncos, have displayed 5 different uniforms. Besides being a blatant waste of money, having this many uniforms for a season that is only 16 weeks long is completely absurd. This means that if these teams continue this pattern they will wear each set of uniforms only 3 times each. By comparison, the Washington Nationals baseball team has only 4 different uniforms and plays more than 10 times the number of games each season.
In addition, what possible reason could the NFL have for making their referees wear those embarrassing orange pin-striped outfits. As if being hated by every single fan just for doing your job wasn’t enough, now you get the added bonus of being humiliated and mocked while doing it. If I wanted to see clowns wearing outlandish costumes, I would go to the circus, but instead I would like to watch a professional football game.
Professional sports often make the comparison of the playing field to the office environment. There are strict dress codes and penalties for disobeying those codes. If I am to believe that the NFL playing field is a professional environment, they should start by dressing the players and referees in a more respectable manner.
I’m not exactly sure who makes these wardrobe decisions, but whether it be the team mascots or the Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, one thing is for certian; CUT IT OUT!
Adam Hutcheson
Adam Gori
David Brick
Josh Brick
Grant Howard
Alex Lopez
Joe Giglio
David,
Throwbacks have been an interesting part of the game for the last several years. When used infrequently they are a nice homage to teams of the past, especially for teams that are far removed from their original incarnations (New York Titans, Dallas Texans, Houston Oilers).
We see them so often this year because of the AFL 50 celebration. Notice that when you see throwbacks this year, they’re most often (if not always) worn in games between original AFL teams. It’s just the NFL’s way of pointing out that the league evolved over many years, and did not just start up with today’s lineup of 32 teams. You can’t deny that recognizing the AFL is important because of how it fundamentally changed the way teams played the game, molding it into the sport that we love today.
This will go back to normal next year. In the meantime, my question is this: what happens when the Ravens need to wear a throwback – will they wear Cleveland Browns uniforms?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d810f2987&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Dave, I appreciate the feedback. I was not aware of the AFL 50th anniversary; however, like you said throwbacks are nice in moderation. Despite the league’s milestone, the change in jersey’s would be more appreciated as a rarity this season rather than a weekly occurrence. As for the Ravens, maybe if they wear their old AFC uniforms the Browns will finally get a win in Cleveland in week 10.
Yes, this year they celebrate the original teams of the AFL (American Football League). So we have to endure those throwbacks when the Chargers, Broncos, Chiefs, Jets, Raiders, Titans, Bills and Patriots play. I do believe, as mentioned, that it is only when these teams play each other. I really don’t even mind most of the throwbacks, except the Broncos’ jerseys. I guess people in Denver had weird taste back then. But hey, let’s all remember when the Eagles had their 75th anniversary uniforms. The blue and gold that people complained about. I’m alright with the teams celebrating their past, so I won’t complain too much. I’m just glad it’s only for a couple of games.
I just wish there were some nice Giants throwbacks to the 1980s. Maybe the 1986 uniform for a game against Philly or Dallas.