Saskatchewan Roughriders 'Rider Nation' Alternate Uniform
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have unveiled their latest uniform innovation: the Obsidian Green alternate jersey. Revealed at the Mosaic Stadium store, this new look aims to symbolize a new era for Rider Nation while paying homage to the team’s deep-rooted traditions and the dedicated fan base.
The dominant color of the new alternate jersey, Obsidian Green, has been subtly present for quite some time. Mark Habicht, the CFL team’s Director of Retail Operations and Licensing, explained, “Mosaic Stadium’s lower-bowl headwalls are Obsidian Green. We’ve kind of been playing our cards in plain sight.”
This shade was also featured in the 2022 Grey Cup Festival logo, hinting at its future prominence. “We introduced the color in the Grey Cup Festival logo because we liked it so much,” Habicht added.
The concept of an alternate uniform was first discussed over five years ago by a select group including Habicht, President-CEO Craig Reynolds, former Chief Brand Officer Anthony Partipilo, and Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement Miriam Johnson.
“The first meeting was as simple as, ‘Hey, we want to start talking about an alt jersey and an alt mark, potentially,’” Reynolds recalled. After considering a return to black, which had been used successfully in the past, the team decided to explore new avenues that stayed true to the Roughriders’ brand identity.
The new jerseys feature several symbolic design elements:
13 Kernels on the Wheat Sheaf: A tribute to the “13th Man,” representing the passionate fans.
RIDER NATION on the Helmet: For the first time, the team’s helmet will bear the phrase "RIDER NATION," symbolizing unity with the fans.
“The jersey fabric has been able to achieve something very unique. At different times, your eyes can see it as a different color. When the players are in the tunnel and it’s dark, it looks like they’re wearing black uniforms. As soon as they hit the light and the sun bounces off the uniform, the green pops,” Partipilo elaborated.
The alternate uniforms will be officially showcased on July 19 during the Green is the Colour Game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and again on October 26 against the Calgary Stampeders during the Fan Appreciation event.
Quarterback Trevor Harris, already donning the new look, shared his excitement: “There’s a fresh aura around the team and maybe this will help to energize the fan base and get them excited about the new logo.”
As the Roughriders embark on this new chapter, the unveiling of the Obsidian Green jersey marks the end of a long-held secret and the beginning of a vibrant new phase for the team and its fans. “It’s kind of like the end of Phase 1 and the beginning of Phase 2, so here we go,” Habicht concluded.
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