Nike Detroit Lions Uniforms: Threat or Menace?

Nike premiered their Vapor Jet NFL gloves at the 2012 Pro Bowl. These are the first taste of the new 2012 uniforms that Nike will be supplying all teams, and . . . yikes. Those hoping Nike just translates the current classy, unmistakably Lions uniforms—like me—must immediately begin flop-sweating. From the official @usnikefootball Twitter account:

“Just the beginning.” Sends a chill down my spine. “If you were feelin the new Cleats and Gloves tonight,” Nike says, “download the Nike BOOM app fast for the next exclusive reveal.” Love that they had Suh model the BOOM app, but I’m mortified by what they’re going to do to the Lions image.

I know a lot of you out there don’t get my whole uniform fascination, but it’s important. We’re fans of the Detroit Lions, a franchise with eighty-three years of tradition. Everyone loves the Lions throwbacks—but you know what? Our “throwbacks” are as old as anyone’s and they’re still recognizable as Lions uniforms.

As legendary and venerable as the Packers franchise is, when they go to their primordial closet they don these eye-bleeding monstrosities:

 My eyes! The goggles . . . they do nothing!

Not only are those duds hideous, they're totally urecognizable as belonging to the Green Bay Packers.

Except for one weirdo year the Lions hired Indiana University's coach and he forced red uniforms on the team, the Detroit Lions uniforms have been unmistakably the Detroit Lions uniforms for the better part of a century. The formula is simple: Honolulu blue plus silver.

Sure, maybe you add or remove some stripes, some trim, some black or gray or white, but the basic formula never changes. The result is both classic and iconic, modern and timeless. The current home unis are great, and the away whites are some of the best-looking uniforms on the planet. I mean, come on, here’s my authentic Matthew Stafford home jersey:

It’s gorgeous. It doesn’t need mesh patterns or interlocking filigreed zigzags or faux carbon fiber textures or Serengeti-themed artwork inlaid in mesh on the back. It doesn’t need 67 seams holding together 23 patches of various size, shape, and contrasting color. It doesn’t need to be a canvas for some Nike design team’s furious ideation brainstorm.

It just needs to be Honolulu Blue and silver.

Tell that to Nike on Twitter at @usnikefootball.

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On Bringing Back The Black Lions Uniforms

Recently, Matthew Stafford Tweeted a picture of some Nike shoes, and said:

Thinkin about bringing these out for MNF in Detroit what do y'all think?

The careful observer will note the predominance of black. Zac Snyder of the SideLion Report recently speculated about ditching the throwbacks this year in favor of new blacks. In the same article, he pointed out that NFL rules would prohibit alt jerseys on MNF, so it’s unlikely that these shoes are to be paired with new black unis. After Stafford Tweeted, Zac asked me if I had any thoughts on the blacks . . . and I thanked him for the post idea.

I've noted in the past that a black Ernie Sims jersey used to be atop my Lions-gear wishlist. There was something awesome and powerful about the then-new black duds; it made clear that this was a break with the past. These weren't the Same Old Lions! This would be a new era: fast, young, dynamic, explosive. There'd be an attitude and swagger about these Detroit Lions, and it would be obvious from the moment they stepped on the field.

Unfortunately, as we know, the players couldn't cash the checks the uniforms wrote. The black unis were a microcosm of the Millen Era: they were a bold, potentially great idea that didn't work out. Now, should the Lions take another stab at infusing some Raider-y toughness in their uniform game? Could the Silver Rush fill out those imposing threads?

For now, at least, I don't want to find out. The Lions just changed their uniforms two years ago, and I think they're absolutely perfect. They're unmistakably classic, unquestionably Detroit, and timeless--yet they look modern and fresh. I want this group of Lions to make these current uniforms intimidating. I want people across the nation to think of these uniforms when they think about the Lions.

That's the crux here: what makes uniforms intimidating is the players inside them. We love the classic--and therefore current--49ers uniforms not because they're pleasing to the eye, or "scary," but because we can't see them without recalling one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the game. Meanwhile, the iconic Raiders uniform and logo--Millen's inspiration for the Lions' blacks--are no longer intimidating; they're becoming farcical.

The Lions' black uniforms were a failed attempt to break with the recent past and chart a new direction for the franchise. The current uniforms break from THAT past, and reconnect with the Lions' great heritage. Bringing back the blacks might look cool for a game, and might sell jerseys, but I'd like to think this team will intimidate by the performance of the players, and not by what they're wearing.

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The Detroit Transplant’s Lions Nike Pro Combat Kits

The Detroit Transplant is a very cool Detroit-focused sports blog, penned by a graphic designer named Doug. Last year, he (along with the rest of us) learned that that the NFL had chosen Nike to begin supplying all uniforms and apparel in 2012. Doug mulled the possibilities, and late last year applied his considerable talents to four possible Lions Nike Pro Combat uniforms.

Here’s my favorite, a reboot of the infamous black alternates:

I loved this one, especially the detail of the blue tire tread patter on the numbers, sleeves, and socks. However, I was less enthused by the liberal application of black in the home and away concepts; in my mind they look very “Panthers” and not very Lions. Doug responded to similar feedback with a second set of three Lions Nike Pro Combat concepts; they’re very much to my liking. The white helmet, especially, intrigues me.

However, as cool as these designs are, and as much fun as we’re about to have discussing them, I feel compelled to note: I love the current unis. I think they’re the perfect balance between unmistakably the Detroit Lions’ uniforms, and being fresh and up-to-date.  They’re clean, they’re classy, they have a touch of style in the numbers. I think the Lions finally got the uniforms perfect, and I’m worried the move to Pro Combats will mess them up.

As you can see in Doug’s designs, the busier, Oregon-esque stuff looks really cool on the second-skin fabric . . . but simple, clean looks just don’t look clean. It’s almost as though the fit and finish of the Pro Combat uniforms not only enable intricate patterns and nontraditional design elements to look good, but demand them. Otherwise, it just looks like dudes out there in long johns.

To that end, Doug Tweeted (@drdougfresh) that he's going to start working on a complete brand ID package for the Lions. He warns that "traditionalists" like myself may not care for it . . . but I'm looking forward to it anyway. Thoughts'?

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