NFL teams are celebrating the official start of the football season, starting training camp this week. In addition to getting excited about the start of the 2022 season, players have other things to get excited about this season — the reintroduction of retro uniforms.
Thanks to recent NFL rule changes, teams are now allowed to add retro uniforms to their jersey and helmet-style rotations, bringing classic fan-favorite uniforms back to the field for special occasion games. According to the NFL, 13 teams decided to bring back replacement helmets in response to the rule change.
Keepin’ it classic with a throwback on Thanksgiving Day!
#DallasCowboys | #TBT pic.twitter.com/JfBwY9YK57— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 21, 2022
The NFL first banned the second helmet in 2013 due to safety concerns, effectively banning retro uniforms in the process. The NFL’s position is that it’s safer for players to wear an old helmet than a brand new special occasion helmet that doesn’t yet fit the player’s head. As those concerns have eased in recent years, the NFL’s decision in June 2021 to allow clubs to bring back their retro jerseys for the 2022 season pays homage to the league’s rich history.
Many teams phased out entire retro uniforms after the 2013 ruling, seeing helmets as a central part of the tribute look. For example, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t worn their famous Creamsicle uniforms for over a decade, discontinuing the uniforms because the orange and white jerseys didn’t fit the team’s standard tin helmets. The team now plans to bring back the fan-favorite retro look in 2022.
With the start of training camp for the 2022 season, a number of teams, including the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, have released promotional videos to celebrate their new looks. Perhaps the most flamboyant celebration came from the New England Patriots, which debuted their red uniforms and white helmets with the classic “Pat Patriot” logo in a video inspired by “Back to the Future.”
Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me the red uniforms are back? pic.twitter.com/X1pd6kpdpG
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 22, 2022
Vintage uniforms will only be worn during special occasion games, such as the first game of the season or Thanksgiving.
In some cases, the origins of retro NFL uniforms can be traced back to the uniform styles of the 1930s and 1940s. Retro uniforms first became popular in the 90s, as many clubs changed their historic brightly colored uniforms in favor of darker colors to increase the intimidation factor.
