The watch for the outfit is on.
During this week’s NFL owners’ meeting in Orlando, Florida, Ravens president Sashi Brown gave reporters a preview of something spectacular that could happen to the team’s shirts.
According to a chronology on the Ravens website, the only changes to the uniform design since 2000 have been colour combinations. Back then, the “raven in flight” badge on the sleeves was replaced with the shield that was on the trousers. The pants had a gold B that was italicised instead of the shield.
Following that, they changed the collar when Nike took over as the manufacturer and introduced a black alternate uniform, white cleats, and commemorative patches. The lone significant alteration before that
According to Brown, the jerseys’ fundamental qualities haven’t changed in decades.
He remarked, “I think the team did a great job when we had some minor modifications, and we feel like we have really classic jerseys.” Therefore, we take great care when making adjustments to something that we believe to be extremely effective.
Brown also pointed out that the NFL sets the parameters for the uniforms. For example, it has rules about logo placement, the size of the numbers and when you can wear different helmets. It is strict about cleats, as well. Unless it’s the My Cause My Cleats game, players must wear shoes that completely match team colors (they can be different brands, though).
But the NFL does allow for classic, alternate or color rush uniforms, and that’s where the Ravens are exploring new ideas.
“The optionality that you see, particularly in other leagues, with different types of jerseys, color rushes, being tried — we’re exploring some things with some of the alternative jerseys,” Brown said.
Other leagues have different jerseys to align with different initiatives and marketing opportunities. For example, the Orioles debuted their City Connect jerseys last year after MLB introduced them in 2021, in partnership with Nike, as an attempt to allow teams to create jerseys that honor their communities. The Washington Capitals had a Reverse Retro jersey in 2021 after the NHL started working with Adidas to create jerseys that nod to teams’ history while creating a fresh look. However, those leagues have many more games — and many more opportunities to wear different uniforms.
Within the NFL, teams have gotten creative. The Philadelphia Eagles brought back their Kelly green throwback jerseys this year. The Seahawks wore action green jerseys, and the Detroit Lions sported their Honolulu blue alternate helmets with all-gray uniforms.
Brown dropped that something might be on the horizon for Ravens fans, but he refused to go into detail.
“We have some stuff that’s coming, but if I said too much, my team would shoot me before I got back to the building,” Brown joked.
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