Several readers have been clamoring for updated info regarding the NFL officials’ cold-weather slacks, and I think I’ve finally got some — no thanks to the NFL, I might add.
First, a quick recap: As you may recall, the officials inexplicably wore the slacks for the Cowboys/Lions game back on December 9th — an odd choice, given that the game was played indoors. Same goes for last Monday’s Chargers/Broncos game which was a decidedly non-chilly 62 degrees at kickoff. What gives?
I’ve been trying to get an answer to that question from Mike Pereira, the NFL’s Vice President of Officiating. That’s him in the purple polo, which should give you an idea of where this is going. Turns out ol’ Mike is, shall we say, a tough man to pin down. I’ve been leaving messages with his office for weeks now — the most recent one was yesterday — but he hasn’t bothered to call me back.
Fortunately, reader Austin Henley checked in yesterday with some news that sheds a bit more like on the subject:
On the December 12th edition of Total Access on the NFL Network [which I don’t have — PL], Mike Pereira was on for his weekly “Official Review” segment. … He said a couple of things that I thought were interesting:
First: He gave the referees the option to wear the long pants and shirts at their discretion once the calendar flipped to December, meaning that referee Gerry Austin made the decision for the crew to go with the slacks and short sleeves [for the game in Detroit].
Second: He said that although he had given them the go-ahead to wear what they wanted, he did not like the short sleeves with long pants. He didn’t say Austin was reprimanded, but he said that you should not expect that look to reappear. He did say he really liked the long pants and long-sleeve shirts, which shouldn’t be surprising, since he played a part in their design.
John Parry, not Austin, was the referee for Monday’s game in San Diego, but it seems that more and more refs are taking advantage of Pereira’s late-season lenience.
Interestingly, the first time I called Pereira’s office and told his secretary that I wanted to ask him about the slacks worn in the Detroit game, she said, “Oh yes, I know there was some concern about the slacks being worn with the short sleeves,” essentially repeating what Pereira himself apparently said in his TV spot. Can’t say I understand the fuss, because I think the slacks look pretty much the same — i.e., like crap — no matter which jersey they’re paired with.
And that’s why I don’t like this “up to their discretion” business one little bit. When I discussed the slacks about a year ago with NFL officiating exec Larry Upson (who was much more accessible than Pereira but, unfortunately, is no longer with the league), he said, “They have to ask before they can wear ’em, just so we don’t have guys going around willy-nilly wearing them.” Wish they’d stuck to that protocol, because it’s starting to look like the officials prefer the slacks. If so, that’s a tragedy in the making, because NFL officials are more or less the last humans on the planet who know how to cuffs their knickers just right — mid-upper shin, just a bit of blousing — and are also among the rapidly dwindling ranks of the striped hosiery set. The slacks’ increasing prevalence is akin to the advent of pajama pants in baseball — and just as odious.
And if any officials out there think the slacks are more comfortable than the knickers, or less of a hassle, I frankly don’t care. Think of the proud heritage of high-cuffed football officials. Think of all the sock mills that depend on you to show off their striped hose. Think of how the slacks make you look like a cross between a bellhop and a sales clerk at Foot Locker.
You’ve chosen a special role for yourself. Now dress the part.
Uni Watch News Ticker: 49ers lineman Larry Allen is apparently quite a jersey collector (with thanks to Al Cummings). … Yesterday I mentioned that one of the officials in Wednesday night’s Blues/Red Wings game lost his luggage and had to wear borrowed equipment. Turns out Teebz knows the official in question and provided the full story in yesterday’s comments. Check it out here. … Lots of new soccer kits on display here (with thanks to Chris Cruz). … Amazing old Iowa football jersey up for auction here. … Seton Hall wore silver-gray uniforms last night. … Several readers have pointed out that Bill Simmons’s current column includes a link to this video clip from the 1984 NBA Old-Timers Game, which features loads of FNOB action (plus lots of disturbing shots of fat old guys squeezed in snug-fitting jerseys). … Japan’s two basketball leagues have unveiled their all-star uniforms. The BJ League will look like this and this (hmmm, wonder where they got their design inspiration?), and the JBL will wear this and this (as forwarded by Jeremy Brahm). … Cricket fan Jordan Owen reports that Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist wore pink gloves and a black armband the other day, for reasons explained in the third paragraph of this story.
Holiday Schedule: Unless something really momentous happens over the weekend, we’ll just have open chatter from tomorrow through New Year’s Day, then back to regular content next Wednesday.
#1 by Rick on 12.28.07 8:52 am |
I am a former high school football official and I absolutely hate what the NFL is doing with the official’s uniforms. The new stripes on the shirts were one thing. I still don’t like them, but they aren’t nearly as offensive to me as those idiotic black pants. Here in Texas we would wear black shorts in the early season games because of the extreme heat, but the preference was the white knickers. I think the officials uniforms are just another example of the NFL losing touch with reality.
#2 by Ryan B. on 12.28.07 8:54 am |
Lots of new soccer kits on display here (with thanks to Chris Cruz). …
I happen to think the new Italy shirt is one of the most beautiful uniforms I’ve ever seen for any sport. Simple, clean, crisp…it’s attractive, and I love the green, white, and red stripes behind the collar.
Paul, does that piece of material (the flap behind the buttons on the shirt–almost designed to look like a shirt under the shirt, so to speak) have a specific name?
#3 by Paul Lukas on 12.28.07 8:59 am |
Good question. Strictly speaking, it’s essentially a dickie, although a very abbreviated one.
#4 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 9:22 am |
perhaps no fun league refs will be permitted to dress like this in indoor/warm weather games next year
#5 by Marty Met on 12.28.07 9:31 am |
Really? I think it’s almost as boring as a Penn State football uniform or the Yankees uniform. Dullsville!!
#6 by LockBull on 12.28.07 9:40 am |
Count me in as being a “thumbs up” for this kit. Is there any detail on the new badge? I see stars inside the badge, usually they’re on top, and there’s no detail on the round thing in the middle.
#7 by Ryan B. on 12.28.07 9:47 am |
I thought maybe it would have a special name. And, God, I hated dickies. My grandmother always gave me a dickey each year for Christmas because she wanted me to wear them under sweaters and such.
Technically, isn’t a “dickie” a piece that’s not attached to the garment you wear it under?
(I assume that us UniWatchers can avoid obvious jokes right about now.)
#8 by ScottyJ in WV on 12.28.07 9:50 am |
“The slacks’ increasing prevalence is akin to the advent of pajama pants in baseball — and just as odious.”
I absolutely love, and agree, with this sentence.
#9 by Zack on 12.28.07 9:52 am |
Speaking of ‘dickies’
http://cgi.ebay.com/...
#10 by Paul Lukas on 12.28.07 9:53 am |
Hmmmm, I think you’re right. So maybe it’s a faux dickie. But a dickie is a faux front. So that’s like a double-negative or something….
Someone in the biz, help us out with the terminology here.
#11 by Paul Lukas on 12.28.07 9:57 am |
On some strange level that I can’t quite explain, that is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
#12 by Ryan B. on 12.28.07 10:01 am |
It’s the green and gold, right? :P
Wow…who would have thought that UniWatch would have become DickeyWatch this morning? It’s mostly my fault.
#13 by GoTerriers on 12.28.07 10:02 am |
I thought it would be something like this. . .
#14 by CV on 12.28.07 10:08 am |
Man, I have to say I love those Texas orange unis. Top 5 in the NCAA IMO.
Paul, is there any place where a guy can find which team will wear colors, and which white, in the bowl games? Curious on them all, but especially interested in whether my Badgers wil be in red or white. On that note, the 99 Rose Bowl between UW and UCLA was replayed on Big Ten network last night. UCLA is also one of my favorite NCAA unis, and the Badgers wore red pants with their white jerseys, so it was a beautiful game.
PS, I liked the Seton Hall grays, alot.
#15 by Paul Lukas on 12.28.07 10:11 am |
Not that I’m aware of. Anyone..?
#16 by Marty Met on 12.28.07 10:13 am |
I give a thumbs up to the new Holland kit. I LOVE the powder blue. If only they had added a bit of orange trim.
#17 by Kerry P on 12.28.07 10:15 am |
It reminds me of THIS.
#18 by djl on 12.28.07 10:18 am |
Nice to see that Ken will be playing for the West in the JBL all-star game.
We’ve got Shaq, Kobe, and LeBron. The JBL has…Ken.
#19 by Paul Lukas on 12.28.07 10:19 am |
Speaking of which … wow.
#20 by Anthony Verna on 12.28.07 10:35 am |
Why are Japanese leagues split East/West? Wouldn’t it be easier to split Japan into North/South?
#21 by Ash on 12.28.07 10:40 am |
Today’s Kurt Snibbe cartoon on Page 2 shows the Giants in purple jerseys with blue helmets. What’s up with that?
#22 by Matthew H. on 12.28.07 10:45 am |
I believe that the higher ranked team is allowed to pick which uniform they want to wear.
#23 by Marty Met on 12.28.07 10:49 am |
Why is Shula in uniform?
#24 by josh on 12.28.07 10:50 am |
The slacks’ increasing prevalence is akin to the advent of pajama pants in baseball — and just as odious.
I think the slacks are more odious than the pajama look in baseball, not so much because of how they look, (like shit) but because of what they represent. Baseball players in pajamas look stupid, but they don’t diminish player in the least if he can come through with runners in scoring position, or throw 100mph cheese on the black with movement. The refs, on the other hand, are the game’s authority, and their unis must convey that. Anything that makes them look more like special teams coach, or the trainer, or the water boy undermines that authority. That’s why judges wear those robes, and don’t dress like the bailiff or the stenographer; to make it absolutely clear who’s in charge. When Ben Dreith was, “…givin’ ‘em the business.”, there was now doubt. Now, not so much.
#25 by dgc on 12.28.07 10:53 am |
IIRC there’s two different cultures/mindsets that happens to divide Japan east/west. I think there’s a western vs. eastern split in cuisines as well. Or least there was something to that effect on Iron Chef.
#26 by Shane on 12.28.07 10:58 am |
Oh wow. The away shirt for Holland is amazing. I might have to get one.
#27 by Kerry P on 12.28.07 10:58 am |
Because Shula is just as determined as the rest of the Dolphins to stay the only undefeated team in NFL history.
#28 by Mark on 12.28.07 10:58 am |
Anyone else find it odd that the Iowa football jersey on ebay is clearly on a female mannequin?
#29 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 12.28.07 11:08 am |
Does “reflex blue” show up as purple in the cartoons? At least it’s following the Giants tradition of the helmets and jerseys having separate shades of blue
#30 by Richard from MA on 12.28.07 11:15 am |
Comment #28:
Anyone else find it odd that the Iowa football jersey on ebay is clearly on a female mannequin?
It’s strangely alluring, though…
#31 by Stuby on 12.28.07 11:21 am |
Man, I miss the original Iron Chef. Those were some sweet uniforms, too.
#32 by Pat on 12.28.07 11:26 am |
I don’t know if it’s actually supposed to be the Giants or a statement about how stupid the 72 Dolphins are. Mercury Morris can suck an egg. Shula too.
#33 by MikeyB on 12.28.07 11:26 am |
That’s some weird logo creep on the shoulder. I like it and all, but the shoulders?
#34 by Christopher on 12.28.07 11:29 am |
But still, I don’t know what cities they play in (or even if the actual split is really East/West)… but I gotta believe it would be really difficult to even out teams East/West across such a thin country.
#35 by CV on 12.28.07 11:35 am |
Higher ranked in which poll? What if neither team is ranked?
Not trying to be a pain in the ass, just curious how these things are chosen.
#36 by Mike Engle on 12.28.07 11:40 am |
Dickies?
#37 by Kek on 12.28.07 11:41 am |
I’d like to chime in with my two cents on the NFL officials and the long pants. Before I get into that I would state for the record that I don’t much care for the long pants look. My preference would be that not only do the league ditch the cold weather pants, but they mandate a return to the stirrups.
That being said, I think it’s a little short-sighted to not take into account a player/referee’s comfort when looking at uniforms and how they evolve. For example, the old wool baseball uniforms looked nice, but the double-knits are more comfortable in the summer heat.
A more recent example could be the Cooperalls in hockey. Everyone I knew growing up that played hockey said those things were much more comfortable than playing in the shorts (or whatever they’re called). Yet, because most people thought they looked horrible and the experiment was over before it really began. However, had they caught on, it could have revolutionalized what hockey uniforms look like now.
Referees and Umpires wore ties in the past but their uniforms have evolved over the years. As long as the basic black/white with stripes combination isn’t messed with I don’t have a problem if the refs are more comfortable in the longer pants.
Remember, the only thing constant in this life is change.
#38 by Bob A on 12.28.07 11:46 am |
From the auction:
“….The mannequin the jersey is pictured on has a 40″ chest to give you some idea of size.”
yikes
#39 by Rick on 12.28.07 11:50 am |
I can tell you from experience, the white knickers are not uncomfortable.
#40 by Juan Grande on 12.28.07 11:58 am |
I have a question that Paul said to direct to the threads… Since the 1984 BC-Miami game (Flutie’s Hail Mary), has there been any D-1A football game featuring two QBs wearing “non-taditional, i.e. 1-19″ jersey numbers? Flutie wore 22 and Kosar wore 20. I can’t think of a regular QB since wearing a number higher than 19. Anyone out there know of any?
Side note, I was watching Bull Durham yesterday and noticed that Kevin Costner wore 8 on his jersey but his catcher’s helmet number always read 20 and had no Bulls logo.
#41 by Justin on 12.28.07 12:01 pm |
Seems like Metathesiophobia is an appropriate word for this site.
#42 by Kek on 12.28.07 12:03 pm |
Didn’t say they were… just suggesting the possibility that the long ones might be more comfortbale.
#43 by Stuby on 12.28.07 12:04 pm |
Jared Lorenzen wore #22 at Kentucky, I believe. Didn’t Heath Shuler wear #21 at Tennessee?
#44 by Judd on 12.28.07 12:08 pm |
Tennessee is the designated home team at the Outback Bowl and will wear orange.
#45 by Marty Met on 12.28.07 12:16 pm |
and the orange pants too, I hope.
#46 by scott on 12.28.07 12:18 pm |
That photo of the slacks-clad official getting crunched is a classic. Very funny.
#47 by Paul Lukas on 12.28.07 12:20 pm |
You’re confusing fear with hatred.
#48 by Mets Fan AZ on 12.28.07 12:27 pm |
the round mound of touchdown! First QB to also be a backup RT.
#49 by Jake on 12.28.07 12:31 pm |
Speaking of dickies, I like Cousin Eddie’s the best.
#50 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 12.28.07 12:31 pm |
Looks like Heath still likes numbers that are higher than usual (scroll down to the bottom of this page).
#51 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 12.28.07 12:35 pm |
Never heard the “Round Mound of Touchdown” before - I’ve always liked “The Pillsbury Throw-boy”
#52 by Rick on 12.28.07 12:44 pm |
According to this article the higher seed has the choice. But it makes me wonder why Thee OSU would have chosen white last year?
I would not have been surprised if Tressel would have started the mind games and picked white just because LSU likes to wear white.
Link
#53 by Stuby on 12.28.07 12:49 pm |
I think TOSU wore white last year because of the previous Fiesta Bowl success they had (wearing white) against Miami. Good concept, poor execution.
#54 by Perry on 12.28.07 12:53 pm |
And why is “Csonka” misspelled?
#55 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 1:02 pm |
hefty lefty, the abominable throwman, j. load, BBQ (”big beautiful quarterback”), battleship lorenzen, jughead, and blond bomber have also been associated with quarter(got)back
personally i like pillsbury throwboy and abominable throwman, myself
i wouldn’t mind seeing him saturday nite
#56 by Ronnie Poore on 12.28.07 1:09 pm |
not as well known, but the starting QB for South Carolina in 1990 & 91, Bobby Fuller wore #20
#57 by Rick on 12.28.07 1:29 pm |
Wow, as a Kentucky fan and a J-Load fan I really enjoy all this love for Jared. :)
#58 by Pat on 12.28.07 1:34 pm |
Me either. Then I KNOW “Price Charles” and the Pats will stomp all over the Giants, instead of just being 99% sure of it.
#59 by emd2k3 on 12.28.07 1:36 pm |
He should have worn #4.
#60 by CV on 12.28.07 1:39 pm |
Thanks for the info Judd. Sucks for UW, I could hope they would wear the red pants, but I think there is only a 0.001% chance of that.
#61 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 1:42 pm |
who is price charles?
#62 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 12.28.07 1:44 pm |
Methinks it’s supposed to be “Prince Charles”
#63 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 1:58 pm |
OHHHHH…ok, thanks
yeah, i’d hate for the giants to jeopardize their #5 seed by
losingwinninglosingand getting what’s left of our weak and enfeebled offense more hurthope the pats fans enjoy seeing the g-men tank and paying 5 times the going rate for shitty seats
ive been rooting for a perfect season SINCE 1972 (only sucks that its gone be the pats who actually do it) so we can finally shut up shula et al (get the fck OVER it already)…and the fact that my g-men don’t even NEED the win to improve their playoff seeding…works out very nicely indeed
#64 by Alan #44 on 12.28.07 1:58 pm |
I know this is late in the game, but a few months ago, Paul had mentioned the “Glory Days of Baseball” exhibit at the Museum of the City of NY, 5th Ave at 103rd St. I finally got the chance to visit, and it closes on Dec 31st. If you are in the NY area, RUN, dont walk, to see it. It is kind of like a mini Cooperstown, paying tribute to the best years of baseball in New York.
#65 by j on 12.28.07 2:01 pm |
can someone please explain to me why japanese baseball uniforms are written in english? does that make any sense?
#66 by josh on 12.28.07 2:05 pm |
can someone please explain to me why japanese baseball uniforms are written in english? does that make any sense?
Because MacArthur won the War.
#67 by Jeff I on 12.28.07 2:11 pm |
And, of course, The Hefty Lefty
#68 by dgc on 12.28.07 2:16 pm |
English is also seen as “cool” over there. Lots of products and companies are named in English. I think all car models use the English alphabet (whether or not it’s a real word is a different story).
#69 by Kek on 12.28.07 2:19 pm |
Cool socks on Father Judge’s team
#70 by Stuby on 12.28.07 2:45 pm |
Duquesne will be wearing throwback uniforms tonight. Pretty ABA-esque, but kind of cool.
#71 by todd krevanchi on 12.28.07 2:48 pm |
VERY kentucky colonels…
http://www.ket.org/b...
#72 by phil on 12.28.07 3:07 pm |
more fun with english …
#73 by Joe from WV on 12.28.07 3:43 pm |
I’ve always wondered if the trendy teenagers over there get tattoos of English letters.
#74 by SSS57 on 12.28.07 3:47 pm |
Or in the words of Larry Munson, Godzilla.
#75 by DJ on 12.28.07 3:50 pm |
can someone please explain to me why japanese baseball uniforms are written in english? does that make any sense?
Because MacArthur won the War.
English is also seen as “cool” over there. Lots of products and companies are named in English. I think all car models use the English alphabet (whether or not it’s a real word is a different story).
When the J-League (the Japanese professional soccer league) started, they chose “exotic” names for many of the teams based on Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and English names to match soccer’s international appeal. That’s why you get names such as “Sanfrecce Hiroshima”, “Gamba Osaka”, Jubilo Iwata”, etc.
#76 by Dan from Austin on 12.28.07 3:52 pm |
As I’ve said before, the black ref slacks look great. I mean seriously, what guy prefers white knickers over black slacks? Still contemplating over the white side stripe, and think that two smaller white stripes would look better, but the refs really look cooler in them.
#77 by ToasterPoodle on 12.28.07 4:08 pm |
That poor execution is why they’re wearing red this year, not just to tweak LSU
#78 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 12.28.07 4:10 pm |
Generally, Dan, you’re right. I’d much rather wear black pants than white knickers. I’d look rather silly coming to work in white knickers. However, we disagree about football official attire.
#79 by chance on 12.28.07 4:20 pm |
I would. And I’m a guy.
Shall we dress all baseball players in black slacks, as well? Maybe the Packers should start wearing Gap khakis - they’d be better than the gold knickers, surely.
#80 by LockBull on 12.28.07 4:49 pm |
U. of Florida officials are asking the fans to wear orange to the Capital One Bowl. Hmmm…makes me wonder if they’re bringing these back…
#81 by Ronnie Poore on 12.28.07 4:56 pm |
now that woulda been a great name/uni number matchup! from the group that gave us
“I fought the law and the law won”
the Bobby Fuller Four
#82 by Scott on 12.28.07 5:08 pm |
Actually, it was originally recorded by the Crickets in 1959. However, the Bobby Fuller Four version is still the most well-known. :)
#83 by Ben on 12.28.07 6:15 pm |
i saw the movie juno last night and it was great, but the logo creep got to me thanks to uniwatch.
also, last night arizona state was wearing “PT-42″ on their necklines for pat tillman. i’ve never seen it before and thought it was interesting. sorry about the picture, it’s the only one i could find with it in there at all.
#84 by =bg= on 12.28.07 6:31 pm |
I always liked the fact John Hadl wore 21 for the Chargers.
#85 by KT on 12.28.07 6:39 pm |
If you like the classic look of old-school NFL officiating togs (as I do), you’ll want to check out this, which would have made a perfect sidebar to today’s subject, Paul!
Just sayin’. I sent it to you. :)
#86 by spencer on 12.28.07 7:12 pm |
does any one know why boston college has a black stripe on there left jersey sleeve?
#87 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 7:36 pm |
matt ryan’s heisman campaign
#88 by Scott N on 12.28.07 7:39 pm |
All the ACC teams are wearing some sort of memorial patch for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre.
#89 by 44 on 12.28.07 7:40 pm |
Syracuse will be changing their home uni’s next year, and no more orange on orange! More here.
#90 by Scott N on 12.28.07 7:41 pm |
Yes on Heath Shuler and No. 21. But I don’t recall the last time two QB’s numbered 20 or higher faced each other in a game.
#91 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 7:56 pm |
i can’t say i’d prefer them, per se (one, i love black and two, dude…they’re knickers)…i think only raffa would go with the knicks
but, these are REF’s not businessmen…the damn new shirts are bad enough, but to add these cooperalls is just horrid…they can MAKE the knickers out of the same warm materials, and i think thorlo or some other sock manufacturer can come up with some decent cold wx socks…i wouldn’t even mind so much if they wore white pants, as opposed to knickers, but the black ski pants just aint doin it
#92 by Andrew on 12.28.07 8:17 pm |
Two quick uni-related notes from the Tulane-Alabama State men’s game I’m covering right now.
There was much talk before the season about ASU center Chief Kickingstallionsims and what he would have on his jersey. Someone said that he wore Chief but that could be just for home jerseys. The away jerseys have no NOB.
Also, a young kid about 8 or 9 just walked in with a Magic Johnson throwback on.
Guess I should go do my job now..
#93 by LI Phil on 12.28.07 8:22 pm |
dick
#94 by David on 12.28.07 8:39 pm |
Oh. My. God. It’s a good thing if you dont have NFL Network for the Texas Bowl–Houston is out in all red unitards (maybe they want to be like the Texans!) and TCU is out in purple-and-white unis
#95 by David on 12.28.07 8:41 pm |
But then again, the other bowl game on right now (Oregon State/Maryland in the Emerald Bowl) has one team in all black with orange sports bras…
#96 by S Dot on 12.28.07 8:48 pm |
I doubt it. At all the pre-bowl promotional events Florida has been wearing their blue jerseys with the Capital One Bowl logo on them.
#97 by Joe Raskin on 12.28.07 9:05 pm |
The guys in the NBA Old-Timers Game may have looked old and/or fat, but there ws still the sight of Connie Hawkins, Oscar Robertson, and Earl Monroe handling the ball one more time. Even then, they all still had it. What a thrill to see them, especially The Pearl. Is it any wonder that I hate the sight of the current collection of people wearing the uniforms that look a little bit like the uniforms that Earl Monroe, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Dave DeBusschere wore (and wore with so much pride and class) so much?
The hell with firing Isiah. Take the team away from the Dolans.
#98 by Chris on 12.28.07 9:10 pm |
Can anybody tell me what is on Maryland’s shoulders????