SI.com’s photo galleries are usually pretty good, but their current “Greatest College Football Players by Number” rundown offers a particularly rich lode of uni-related details. Here’s a rundown (several of which were also spotted by various readers over the past few days):
• I had completely forgotten about Texas A&M’s shoulder stripes.
• Was there a particular reason Oklahoma State was wearing a huge shoulder flag?
• I don’t think I’ve ever seen such small or high-positioned uni numbers as Iowa was wearing in the late 1930s. Also, note how the knee pads appear to be poking out below the pant cuffs.
• I’ve mentioned Ohio State’s big-ass TV numbers before, it’s always worth another look, just for the “Holy shit!” factor.
• Love this shot of Doak Walker wearing an all-star uni.
• Think monochromatic uniforms are a modern phenomenon? Then check out this old shot of Syracuse wearing solid orange. Plus note that the helmet stripes don’t match, and dig Jim Brown’s Lucite facemask.
• What’s the deal with Dick Butkus’s helmet stars? Were these early merit decals?
• I had no idea that Nebraska had worn this number typeface in the early ’60s.
• Check out Greg Roberts’s helmet — looks like a cross between the Willie Lanier style and the ProCap. Anyone know more?
• I love how football photos from the 1920s always seem to feature lots of little patches and rivets on the pants, like in this shot of Bronko Nagurski.
• Look at this shot of Buck Buchanan. Looks like he’s got “Bell” written on his elbow pad. At first I thought maybe this was a makeshift memorial for former commish Bert Bell, but he died in 1959, when Buchanan was still in college. Can anyone shed any light on this?
• Dig the stripes on Jim Seymour’s shoes — pretty cool. Also, it’s tough to say for sure, but it looks like the official may be wearing two-tone (i.e., non-striped) socks.
Too bad the gallery stops at uni No. 99 — they could easily have included an entry for Chuck Kinder, who wore No. 100 for WVU in 1963, to mark the 100th anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood.
We Can’t Make This Stuff Up: My ESPN.com colleague Patrick Hruby is looking to get his hands on a giant ear costume (something like this) as soon as possible. If anyone has any idea where to find such an item, please let me know, post-haste.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Yesterday’s item about the guy with the Patriots logo tattooed on his head led Jon Smith to send along this photo, taken in 2006. That’s Jon on the left, posing with what he describes as “the ultimate Chargers fan.” He says there’s a matching bolt on the other side of the guy’s head. Wonder how he felt when the team changed its bolt design last spring. … According to this item UGA’s black jerseys have helped the school’s recruiting efforts (with thanks to Greg Riffenburgh). … Did you know that American-style football is played in Italy? I didn’t, until Travis McGuire sent me this photo from the Italian Super bowl. Not sure what the temperature was, but dig that ref in shorts! … Fun NOB find by Caleb Borchers, who notes that Richard Wigglesworth (of the Sale Sharks rugby club in Manchester) wears “W’Worth.” … Dude, you forgot your mouthguard (as spotted by Glenn Chamberlain). … Several Canadiens and Black Hawks old-timers were honored before last night’s Habs/Hawks game. Happily, the oldsters got to wear CCM jerseys, not newfangled Reebok models. … Maryland wore yellow alts last night (thanks to Bryan Duklewski for the screen grab). … Remember yesterday’s Ticker item about basketball gloves? Turns out that idea was first floated (and presumably sank) way back in 1991, as you can see toward the bottom of this page (great find by Matt Shevin). … Just as I was about to post today’s entry, this query came in from Matt Weber: “Recently a friend told me that Arizona State’s football team wore gold jerseys for one game vs. University of Arizona, a game that they lost. I believe it was in 1989. However I can’t find any pics of these jerseys. My friend said that since ASU lost that game, they would never wear gold jerseys again.” Can anyone confirm and/or provide more info? … Every now and then it’s good to remind people that I don’t just write about uniforms.
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#1 by Boston Nick on 01.09.08 8:41 am | Quote
Wow…a football uniform that makes even Jim Brown look bad on the field. I almost didn’t think it was possible.
#2 by todd krevanchi on 01.09.08 8:45 am | Quote
in 1988 okie st played texas tech in japan. it sucked for sanders and the heisman committee because this game was on the same day as the announcement and sanders wasnt at the downtown athletic club. he accepted and gave his speech via satellite…
#3 by Geeman on 01.09.08 8:48 am | Quote
I think that’s only the second time Maryland has worn a uniform other than red or white under Gary Williams. They wore black in the 2006 ACC tournament and lost. They wore gold a lot, and black some, under Lefty Driesell and Bob Wade. Their colors are red, white, gold, and black, so it’s not a stretch.
#4 by Paul Lukas on 01.09.08 8:50 am | Quote
Awesome response, Todd — thanks for filling us in.
#5 by Robert on 01.09.08 8:51 am | Quote
With regard to Nebraska’s unusual early ’60s font, I have a replica of that jersey . . . and it is ugly as sin.
I read in a book on Nebraska football that someone in the athletic department at the time hated that font, and it was jettisoned a few years into Bob Devaney’s coaching reign.
The change took place closely in time to the abandoning the black numbers on the sides of the helmets and replacing them with “NU” (which itself was shortlived).
#6 by Scott on 01.09.08 8:53 am | Quote
Look at this shot of Buck Buchanan. Looks like he’s got “Bell” written on his elbow pad… Can anyone shed any light on this?
Bobby Bell was an Al-Pro linebacker on that squad.
#7 by Joe H on 01.09.08 8:56 am | Quote
Love the gold look for the Terps even though I can’t stand what Nike has done to the basic layout of the uni.
The Baltimore Sun mistakenly calls them throwbacks in this article.
#8 by Shaftman on 01.09.08 8:58 am | Quote
As long as we were on the topic a few days ago…
I was watching “We Are Marshall” yesterday and they showed West Virginia University having a memorial sticker on their helmets. I know that it happened but I can’t find a pic. Any help would be appreciated.
#9 by BobA on 01.09.08 8:59 am | Quote
Beat me to it but digging around the Chiefs site I saw this page which has a nice run down of patches the team has worn as well as a secondary logo history. I love it when teams provide details like that.
#10 by Rick From Cedar Park, TX on 01.09.08 9:06 am | Quote
In my opinion it is much too bright and hard on the eyes. Then again, maybe it is hard on the defenders’ eyes too.
#11 by ryan c #40 on 01.09.08 9:06 am | Quote
whats up with me really diggin’ yellow basketball jerseys lately??? first the sonics, now maryland. they both look prett sharp! maryland’s back layout could use a little work though (i agree Joe H)
#12 by James R on 01.09.08 9:07 am | Quote
http://highschool.ri...
I notice one player has the WCC 50 patch on her shorts but the other player doesn’t.
#13 by Jeff on 01.09.08 9:10 am | Quote
I noticed a lot of LSU players with their mouthguards stuck in their facemasks during the run of play. It seemed to be mostly the defense, but Matt Flynn had his out during the first Tiger play from scrimmage, too.
#14 by Ryan on 01.09.08 9:16 am | Quote
All these guys with tatoos on their heads is nothing. I am an assistant district attorney in Houston, and when I first started working here as an intern about 2 years ago, I kept seeing hispanic guys with the Astros star logo tatooed on arms, and lots of heads (like taking up the whole back of their head). I thought they were all really big ’stros fans. No…they are gang members. It is the logo for one of the big gangs. I would love to send Paul a picture, but I don’t want to get jumped in the elevator.
#15 by Stephen on 01.09.08 9:16 am | Quote
It looked like several players were sporting extra mouthguards. In the pic that Paul linked to, you can clearly see he has one in his helmet, and in his mouth.
~E~
#16 by DenverGregg on 01.09.08 9:20 am | Quote
NY Sun! Most excellent. Now I’m hungry again, though.
#17 by dm00n [Doug] on 01.09.08 9:20 am | Quote
The Procappy helmet looks more like this style.
#18 by BAL on 01.09.08 9:21 am | Quote
But they get it right here
#19 by NateL on 01.09.08 9:21 am | Quote
It looks more like that’s his chin strap than a mouth guard. And isn’t it weird that wearing a mouthguard in your helmet AND one in your mouth is a fashion statement.
Kids today. =)
#20 by Rick Smith on 01.09.08 9:24 am | Quote
The basketball gloves item first surfaced at the time that Dr. J and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played a very lame one-on-one game way back when, I believe as part of one of the networks’ NBA coverage. I remember seeing those gloves on Dr. J’s hands and thought, “How can he even FEEL the ball with those things?”
#21 by al on 01.09.08 9:28 am | Quote
mouthpieces are a required piece of uniform in college football. often, players keep an extra on themselves somewhere (i kept mine in my thighpad) … looks like a lot of players monday kept their spare one attached to thier facemask in case they lose the one they are using.
#22 by Justin B on 01.09.08 9:35 am | Quote
After seeing Marino in the old school Pitt uni they should make it an alternative.
#23 by James R on 01.09.08 9:35 am | Quote
http://sportsillustr...
Congrats on Goose finally getting in. Some good stirups and sock pics
#24 by Kek on 01.09.08 9:36 am | Quote
Regarding American Football in Italy, I would highly recommend John Grisham’s Playing for Pizza. It’s the story of a journeyman NFL QB that plays in the Italian football league, very entertaining.
Grisham’s Bleachers was a good read too. Both books are small and could be finished in a week tops.
#25 by Stephen on 01.09.08 9:36 am | Quote
When you look at the pic, below the mouthpiece, you can see the chinstrap. It is covered with a black Nike sock-thing. I saw this live, because I thought it was stupid to have two of those big, honkin’ yellow mouthguards….how the heck are you gonna lose it?
~E~
#26 by Justin B on 01.09.08 9:42 am | Quote
Looking at Eric Turner I noticed he has some writing on his shoes. Can anyone read it? Also, it looks like he made the Nike symbol on his shoes over the tape.
#27 by Stuby on 01.09.08 9:42 am | Quote
ESPN’s First Take was running some great footage of Goose yesterday morning. They had him in the White Sox red unis, an all-black Pirates uni with yellow stove-pipe hat, the Padres Taco Bell uniforms and a clip of him as a Yankee striking out a White Sox player wearing the classic black-pants, white-jersey-with-collar getup. Classic 70s baseball.
#28 by CV on 01.09.08 9:43 am | Quote
I love Michigan in yellow, but Maryland’s to me look terrible.
As for what is written on the elbow pad, looks to me more like BELI, but I can’t come up with anythign for that either.
#29 by Paul Lukas on 01.09.08 9:46 am | Quote
Good catch. I was so busy looking at his Shrine jersey that I didn’t notice his foot inscription, which appears to say, “Jesus.”
#30 by Truman Winbush on 01.09.08 9:46 am | Quote
I would guess that Buck Buchanan’s elbow pad could have been borrowed from his teamamte and fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Bell. I doubt it related to Bert Bell because at the time of the photo Buchanan was in the AFL and had never played a NFL game.
#31 by Shaftman on 01.09.08 9:46 am | Quote
Looks like it says “Jesus”.
#32 by Justin B on 01.09.08 9:50 am | Quote
Is that a giant buckeye on Randy’s helmet? Is/was there a difference between that one and the others on the other side of the helmet?
#33 by WFY on 01.09.08 9:51 am | Quote
I always liked OSU’s huge numbers. The uni gods wll ensure OSU will keep losing in January until the big numbers and sleeve stripes return.
#34 by Matt D. on 01.09.08 9:52 am | Quote
Maryland’s yellows look pretty sweet
#35 by Mike on 01.09.08 9:55 am | Quote
2 things…
I knew about the Italian Football League because of a great book I recently read. “Playing for Pizza” was written by John Grisham and it is a very good and quick read. Second, Maryland is playing Holy Cross in their game last night. I currently go to HC and I have never seen the black jerseys before, maybe because I rarely see them on the road. But it is good for you Paul, because they usually wear all purple.
#36 by CV on 01.09.08 9:59 am | Quote
Ohio State’s unis sure looked better when they were the pants, helmets and jerseys all used silver instead of a mismatch of Metallic silver and dull grey like now.
#37 by timf on 01.09.08 10:00 am | Quote
For a period of time during 60s/70s the Buckeye decals were larger, and probably harder to attain than today’s smaller counterparts, which can often cover both sides of a helmet by the end of a season.
#38 by CV on 01.09.08 10:01 am | Quote
Anyone else notice in the pic of Deion Sanders (#2) the top and bottom of his pants (well actually I guess that would be front and back) appear to be made of different materials, and different color golds?
#39 by Chi-town Joe on 01.09.08 10:05 am | Quote
In semi-numerology related news there are rumors that Nike is going to retire the Jordan series after the release of shoe #23. (Chicago Tribune)
#40 by Pete (UK) on 01.09.08 10:06 am | Quote
Re: having two mouthguards handy, even when the colour is ahrd to miss. I once saw an incident where a very clever and underhand Defensive player picked up a dropped mouthguard at the end of a play and when he found out it was none of his teammates who’d dropped it, tossed it away on his sideline, neatly removing the opposing Quarterback from the game until a replacement was found… Luckily the coaches had some cheap boil and bite strapped ones on the sideline so it didn’t take long to get him back in, but it did severely affect his dental safety… Happened in the British League a couple of years ago. (almost all football outside the US is played to NCAA rules so they are mandatory)
#41 by CV on 01.09.08 10:13 am | Quote
Some other random thoughts:
#7 - The orange helemet-white jersey-orange pants look for Florida is awesome.
#34 - Another Florida one, I didn’t remember Florida had orange jerseys in the past.
#56 - That’s a huge Big East patch on Michael Barrow’s shoulder
#84 - The same “two shades of gold pants” as seen in Deion appears again in UCLA.
#42 by Dwight on 01.09.08 10:13 am | Quote
Here here CV! My thoughts exactly - even w/ the huge numbers.
#43 by Robert on 01.09.08 10:19 am | Quote
Do you have a link to that site?
#44 by Joe H on 01.09.08 10:19 am | Quote
It’s the “Nike-fication” factor…it should look like this!
#45 by DarkAudit on 01.09.08 10:20 am | Quote
This is the only picture I’ve found so far.
#46 by Matt Powers on 01.09.08 10:23 am | Quote
This is the only picture I’ve found so far.
Talk about some logo creeps!
#47 by Eriq Jaffe on 01.09.08 10:24 am | Quote
Just as a point of reference, the Sox wore navy blue during that era, not black.
#48 by Marty Met on 01.09.08 10:25 am | Quote
Don’t believe it. They make way too much money off the Air Jordan shoes. They may “tweak” the name, but the Air Jordan “sognature” shoe is what keeps the rest of the Jordan line afloat.
#49 by Matt Powers on 01.09.08 10:29 am | Quote
It’s the “Nike-fication” factor…it should look like this!
Those style Maryland uni’s were also made by Nike. And other than the new unis being System of dress, i love them.
I play ball three nights a week and always wear a pair of different nike college elite shorts, usually Oregon or Maryland. i have the old style Maryland:
http://imshopping.re...
As well as the new style:
http://farm3.static....
The new S.O.D. are considerably longer and further make me look like I’m wearing my big brother’s clothes.
#50 by Wade Harder on 01.09.08 10:36 am | Quote
Here’s a rare site…an Alabama football jersey with stripes…last used in 1959.
#51 by Shaftman on 01.09.08 10:37 am | Quote
Wow, that’s huge compared to the one they demonstrated in the movie. Nice find. Thanks.
#52 by Kyle at IU on 01.09.08 10:37 am | Quote
Every time I see that someone is wearing yellow uniforms, I cringe a bit, but it seems like Maryland pulled off the look just fine. Still, it seems a little unnatural to see them in yellow. The white and red work just fine for them in my opinion.
Speaking of yellow unis, a color vs. color matchup last night as Indiana took on Michigan. Thankfully, red (or Crimson) and yellow (or Maize) compliment each other nicely, unlike yellow and Illinois Orange.
One other note about that game: John Bielein (sp?) has apparently had new lights installed in Crisler Arena, and I noticed that it made the Maize Rage, which always looked somewhat odd in the dimness on TV, a little nicer to look at.
#53 by Matt Powers on 01.09.08 10:38 am |