This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers will wear their classic throwback jerseys as they host the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium, commemorating the 50th anniversary of their Super Bowl IX victory. It’s a celebration of the team's first championship and the beginning of a dynasty that would define the 1970s.
“As we approach the 50th Anniversary of Super Bowl IX, we think it is a good time to celebrate the team that ushered in an era of great success,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.
The throwback jerseys feature traditional block numbers on black jerseys, mirroring the 1974 design when the Steelers claimed their first Super Bowl title. Players will also wear gray facemasks, matching the style of the 1974 helmets. Each uniform includes a commemorative patch celebrating the milestone.
“It’ll be cool to just be wearing history and to honor them," said receiver Calvin Austin III. "That’ll be fun to play in and hopefully get a big win.”
This marks the fifth time the Steelers have worn this throwback look, with a successful track record in past appearances, including wins against the Browns, Rams, Raiders, and Packers. The game will also feature a halftime ceremony honoring the Super Bowl IX team, adding to the nostalgia.
For linebacker Patrick Queen, wearing the throwback uniform is a way to connect with the legends who built the franchise’s reputation. "When you go back and watch football, you watch old throwback football. And just the way those guys played the game was incredible,” Queen said.
The Steelers aim to carry forward that legacy of toughness and success as they honor the team that started it all, reminding fans and players alike of the roots of Pittsburgh's championship culture.
After building anticipation throughout the season, Purdue football has finally revealed its alternate uniform, set to make its debut under the Friday night lights at Ross-Ade Stadium. The timing couldn't be better, as the Boilermakers prepare to face off against the formidable No. 2 Oregon Ducks. This uniform reveal is already creating a buzz among fans, and it's easy to see why.
This all-black design is a departure from Purdue’s traditional look, providing a fresh take that maintains the school’s signature toughness while offering a sleek, contemporary twist. The uniform is designed to create a commanding presence on the field, with the classic script logo on the helmet adding an extra layer of pride and tradition.
As the Boilermakers gear up for Friday night’s game, this uniform reveal is sure to add to the excitement and anticipation. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how this bold new look plays out on the field as Purdue aims to make a statement against the Ducks.
A streak of fire, a breath of flame. Eluding all who reach and clutch, a gray ghost thrown into the game.
As a program that always remembers who came before us, we will honor Red Grange and his incredible impact on football during our Memorial Stadium Rededication Game on Oct.… pic.twitter.com/FjUSjZmJ3x
Illinois Football is set to turn back the clock to honor a historic moment in their program's legacy. On October 19, 2024, exactly 100 years and one day after Red Grange's legendary six-touchdown performance against Michigan during the Memorial Stadium Dedication Game in 1924, the Fighting Illini will take the field in 1920s-themed uniforms to celebrate the centennial of that iconic game.
The commemorative uniforms are a nod to the early days of Illinois football, designed to mirror the attire worn by Grange and his teammates during the program's formative years. The ensemble includes helmets, jerseys, and pants that meticulously replicate the classic look of the 1924 team, bringing a piece of history back to life on the field.
"The program has done some throwbacks in the past, but it was really important to be more accurate to the time the stadium opened," said Jake Rosch, the Director of Football Equipment Operations. "We ultimately settled on recreating Red Grange's uniform from 1924, and the end product came out just as good, if not better, than what we envisioned."
The jerseys feature a blue base with tannish-gold stripes forming a pyramid shape, running from the bottom of the shirt to the top of the white numbers outlined in blue. The only hint of orange is the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary patch, a tribute that will be worn on all Illini uniforms this season. The pants, in the same tannish-gold hue, are paired with blue socks, completing the vintage aesthetic.
"The jerseys are pretty simplistic," Rosch noted. "They were designed 100 years ago, so they were limited in their manufacturing capabilities at that time. We wanted to be as historically accurate as possible, and I think we succeeded."
While the jerseys were relatively straightforward to recreate, the helmets posed a greater challenge. The team was committed to replicating the look of leather helmets, which required a specialized approach. They partnered with Armando Villarreal, one of only two artists in the nation who specialize in airbrushing football helmets, to hand-paint each helmet.
The process was intricate: helmets were first sanded and sealed before a base coat was applied. Villarreal then airbrushed layers of dark brown, using stencils to create an authentic leather texture. He meticulously added details like straps, stitching, and holes, all of which contributed to the helmet's period-accurate appearance. The helmets were then finished with a clear coat for a matte look, with each helmet taking one to two hours to complete.
"100 years ago, the jerseys all had very similar designs, so we knew what would set us apart was the leather helmet look," Rosch explained. "Armando has done a really great job and been a really good partner in this whole process."
The uniform design process began nearly two years ago, with extensive collaboration between the Illinois football program, Nike, and the Big Ten Conference. Director of Athletics Josh Whitman played a crucial role, bringing his experience as both an administrator and an alum to the project, ensuring the final design was a fitting tribute to Illinois football's rich history.
"He has a little extra tie to the project as a whole because it represents something really personal to him," Rosch said. "We tweaked a lot of small things to make sure everything fell in line with his vision and how we think we can tie that together."
As the Illini prepare to take the field in these throwback uniforms, they not only honor a legendary game but also celebrate the enduring legacy of Illinois football. Fans can look forward to a visually stunning tribute to one of the program's most iconic moments, as the past and present come together in a special way on October 19.
As the 2024 New York Jets reported for training camp, the organization paid tribute to its storied past with the unveiling of "The Classic" uniform. This new addition to their lineup is a nod to the look the team wore during their 1968 championship season and mirrors the familiar design of the uniform used from 1998 to 2018.
On Monday, October 14th, the Jets will debut "The Classic" when they host the Bills at MetLife Stadium. Filling the fourth available spot in the team's uniform "closet," this classic look is part of a larger NFL initiative. The white jerseys and white pants pay homage to the attire the team sported during their Super Bowl III victory over the Baltimore Colts. Keeping true to the original design, "The Classic" features a clean front without a patch, mirroring the '68 jersey, and uses the same number and letter fonts.
The helmet has been updated with a gray facemask to replicate the 1968 headgear, featuring the same white shell and logo used from 1998 to 2018. The green in the decal and stripes matches the team's current "Legacy Green," which is a shade between the 1968 Kelly Green and the 1998-2018 Hunter Green.
During the Jets' April rebrand, they introduced three "Legacy Collection" uniform versions, including the legacy black uniform and helmet as their alternate uniform. The Jets will don their black uniform on Halloween when they play host to the Houston Texans for a Thursday night clash.
With the reintroduction of the "Legacy" and "Classic" ensembles over the past four months, the Jets are bringing their two most iconic identities back to the field. "The Classic" uniform, worn during one of the most significant moments in pro football history, provides the franchise an opportunity to highlight a uniform donned by 15 of its 19 players in its Ring of Honor. On October 14th, against the Bills, the Jets will revive a familiar sight, celebrating a timeless tradition and reconnecting with their storied past.
Western Kentucky University Football continues to keep fans excited with their latest uniform announcement. On Thursday, the Hilltoppers revealed a special edition Big Red helmet, set to be worn for their Red Out game against UTEP on October 10. This highly anticipated game will not only showcase WKU’s prowess on the field but also their unique connection to their beloved Hall of Fame mascot, Big Red.
The special edition uniform pays homage to Big Red with a full red ensemble, featuring red helmets, red jerseys, and red pants. The standout feature of the helmets is their design, complete with decals mimicking Big Red's iconic eyes. The black facemask symbolizes Big Red's mouth, giving the helmets a character-filled touch that fans are sure to love.
This marks the triumphant return of WKU’s red helmets, which were last seen in the mid-2000s. The reintroduction of the red helmet into the Hilltoppers’ rotation was initially announced on July 25, building excitement for its debut during this pivotal matchup.
The Oct. 10 game against UTEP is set to be a full-on Red Out, and fans are encouraged to show up decked out in red to match their team. To enhance the fan experience, 5,000 red towels will be given away to those in attendance at Houchens-Smith Stadium, creating a sea of red in the stands.
This is not the first time WKU has leaned into Big Red-themed helmets, but it’s certainly one of the most anticipated versions yet. WKU first introduced the Big Red helmets on Nov. 12, 2022, in a dominant 45-10 victory over Rice. That game featured only the Big Red quarterback decal, which was worn on black helmets. The program then took it up a notch for the Oct. 24 game against Liberty last season, unveiling helmets that sported seven different Big Red logos based on player position groups, which once again adorned black helmets.
Most recently, for their Sept. 21 game against Toledo, the Hilltoppers wore Big Red quarterback decals on white helmets, continuing to evolve the Big Red uniform tradition.
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) May 2, 2024
In a bold and heartfelt tribute to West Virginia's rich coal tradition, the Mountaineers football program is set to debut a striking black alternate uniform for the 2024 season. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and inspired by the tireless work of underground miners, this uniform serves as a powerful symbol of resilience, pride, and gratitude.
Following the unveiling of new blue, gold, and white uniforms at the annual Gold-Blue Spring game, the addition of the black alternate uniform provides the Mountaineers with another opportunity to showcase their spirit and heritage on select occasions. But this isn't just any uniform—it's a testament to the deep connection between the football team and the state it represents.
The design process for the black alternate uniform was as meaningful as it was meticulous. Drawing inspiration from a day spent with actual miners, every element of the uniform was carefully considered to pay homage to West Virginia's coal mining industry. Reflective twill numbers and white accents illuminate the darkness, symbolizing the importance of safety and navigation underground.
The sleeve and collar of the jersey feature a pattern sourced directly from a West Virginia coal mine, while reflective safety stripes mimic those found on a miner's uniform. The arm cuff pattern mirrors the blade of a mine shearer, emphasizing the hard work and determination of those who toil beneath the earth's surface.
Even the pants and helmets are infused with symbolism. Reflective safety stripes and coal patterns adorn the pants, while the helmets—referred to as "Black Hats" in the mines—sport a matte black finish with specks of metallic gray to resemble fresh-cut coal. The center stripe of the helmet features a gradient from white to transparent, simulating the light of a miner's headlamp.
Behind the scenes, retired West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney and Gaither Frazier from the Leer Mine in Grafton played crucial roles in bringing this tribute to life. Athletic department graphic designers Kristin Coldsnow and Phil Lynch immersed themselves in a day's work in the mine, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges and triumphs faced by coal miners.
As West Virginia football takes the field in their black alternate uniforms, they do so not only as athletes but as ambassadors of a proud heritage. Through their grit, determination, and unwavering spirit, they honor the legacy of those who came before them and inspire future generations to carry the torch forward.
Presenting the @OregonFootball Heroes Uniform. Designed by the Lanning family, each thread represents triumph – showing support for those who have battled cancer + raising awareness as we fight for the cure. #StompOutCancerpic.twitter.com/yEn1a7mJhW
