Looking good won’t necessarily help a team win. But it can’t hurt. Could the Redskins uniforms look better?
It’s not of the utmost importance at this time of year (or any time of the year, unless you’re a Tennessee Titans fan), but since we still have a little bit of time to kill before the Washington Redskins first preseason game, let’s talk about the uniforms.
I’m really bored, if you can’t tell.
Anyway, the subject of the Redskins’ uniforms was brought up in a recent Sporting News article by Christian Shimabuku. In the article, Shimabuku ranked all 32 uniforms in the NFL from best to worst. He didn’t pull any punches for the capital’s team, slotting their uniforms in dead last. Here’s his reasoning:
"Sorry, Washington fans, but in addition to the team’s need for a new stadium, its uniforms, extensions of the controversial nickname, are in need of a change. The color scheme does not mesh well, making the uniforms an eyesore."
For perspective, Shimabuku had the Jaguars’ new “discount Oakland Raiders” jerseys at No. 23, the Buccaneers’ cyber-pirate uniforms at No. 19, the Bengals’ pajamas at No. 13, and all three other NFC East teams in the top five, with the Cowboys’ teal jumpsuit pants falling in at No. 1.
I won’t speak on Washington’s logo; that’s a conversation for another place. But personally, I think too much emphasis is put on modernizing NFL uniforms. The New York Jets are due to get a uniform change. Why? The classic look works. Simplicity is just better sometimes. It suits some teams, and not others. It suits the Redskins.
From a uniform standpoint, Washington has a good thing going right now. I hate ketchup and mustard on my burgers, but the burgundy and gold look is and will always be a sleek combination, especially with the simple stripe designs. The burgundy pants on the away uniform are so much more pleasing to the eye than the gold pants were, but one thing that will always look good in gold is the face mask. The Redskins are one of just two teams to have a face mask that’s not white, black, grey, or an extension of the helmet color. They’re joined by the Patriots in that category, and no one else.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Would I make any changes? The burgundy could be darker. Maybe more utilization of classic designs. And of course, the logo may be worthy of a more lengthy discussion. But unlike the stadium, the Redskins’ uniforms don’t need much changing. It’s a look that was once synonymous with victory, and the color scheme will always fit an ever-changing NFL. Do you think Washington needs a uniform change? Let us know in the comments section below!