NFL's greatest-ever uniforms: Chargers' powder blues, Colts, Raiders among best
Throughout the NFL's history, there have been some fantastic uniforms, many of which have endured to this day. In advance of the league's 100th season, these are the best uniforms in league history:
It's hard to go wrong when your primary colors are black and gold. Over the years, the Saints have made subtle changes to the uniforms, but the look has remained mostly the same since the team debuted in 1967, with the familiar fleur-de-lis helmet logo as the most distinctive feature.
The 49ers' look has changed slightly over the years — including an ill-advised alteration in 1996 that lasted for 12 years. In 2009, the 49ers wisely threw it back to their past. The oval 49ers helmet logo unveiled in 1996 remained, but the uniform more closely resembled the regal look from the 1980s glory years.
The Steelers' logo, borrowed from the Steelmark icon of the U.S. Steel Corporation, was tested on one side of the helmet in 1962 (though the logo just said "STEEL"). When the team finished 9-5 — just the sixth winning season in the franchise's first 28 seasons — the team kept the look (adjusting the logo for "STEELERS" in 1963). Less than a decade later, the Steelers became a powerhouse, and the signature one-sided helmet logo look has become one of the NFL's iconic designs.
NFL'S WORST-EVER UNIFORMS: From Color Rush and throwbacks to regrettable rebrandings
12. New England Patriots' 'Pat the Patriot'
When Bill Parcells took over as head coach of the Patriots in 1993 the team was dreadful, having won just two games the previous year and only one in 1990. So what do listless franchises with new head coaches do when it's the "dawn of a new era"? Massive uniform overhauls! Gone was "Pat the Patriot," in was the "flying Elvis." "Flying Elvis" has remained because since 1993 the Patriots have gone from league laughingstock to being a perennial playoff contender and emerging as arguably the greatest dynasty in NFL history. However, the hiking Continental Army man is a far superior logo.
11. Denver Broncos 'Orange Crush'
The longer the Broncos stick with their current eyesores, the better these uniforms look in hindsight. Orange jerseys, blue hats with a steaming white horse inside a block "D" logo. The look just conjures up memories of the decorated career of John Elway, who just looked totally out of place when the team changed the uniforms in 1997.
10. Philadelphia Eagles 'Kelly green'
The Eagles were just one of many franchises that in the 1990s abandoned bright, vibrant colors for dark, drab palates. In 1996, Kelly green gave way to midnight green. Thankfully, the team is bringing back the look.
9. Cleveland Browns classics
The uniform change in 2015 wasn't great, but at least it didn't include a helmet change. The Browns remain the only team in the league without a helmet logo, and that is cool.
Born as the Dallas Texans as an American Football League original, the franchise abdicated the Dallas market to the NFL's Cowboys and moved to Kansas City for the 1963 season. The franchise was renamed the Chiefs, subbing out the state of Texas helmet logo for an arrowhead, the team colors remained the same, and those splendid uniforms have remained largely the same since.
After the 2016 relocation back to Los Angeles, the Rams had slowly reintegrated their classic pre-2000 look, with the iconic golden-horned logo that dates back to 1948, when the team became the first to put a logo on a helmet, thanks to halfback/artist Fred Gehrke.
The Bears introduced their trademark wishbone "C" logo in 1962. Since then — aside from throwbacks and alternate uniforms — there's been only one major change to the Bears' look ... that "C" logo color changed from white to orange.
In 1961, legendary coach Vince Lombardi introduced the oval "G" logo to the Packers' helmets, thus completing the uniform set for one of the NFL's most storied franchises.
4. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys' blue star logo is one of the most recognizable in all of sports. The team also famously wears its white jersey for home games, and has done so since 1964 when the NFL started to allow teams to wear white jerseys at home. That was also the season when the Cowboys replaced their white helmets for their silver helmets.
3. Indianapolis Colts' home uniform
Sporting a clean and stylish blue and white uniform, the Colts' classic horseshoe logo has adorned the side of the team's helmet since 1957, when the franchise was located in Baltimore. The Colts get bonus points for the big, bold numbers on the back of their helmets. That just looks cool.
2. Raiders' silver and black
If somebody says "silver and black," a football fan will immediately think of the Raiders. Despite numerous relocations, the Raiders' famous uniforms have stood the test of time and are further proof that a bold, simple look makes for the best uniform design.
1. Chargers' powder blues
The American Football League had a number of fantastic uniforms. The best of the bunch was the Chargers' powder blue jerseys, lightning bolt helmets with the player's numbers on the sides. The team has worn throwback versions of the powder blue jerseys in the years since, but the classic style of the 1960s Chargers is the best look in NFL history.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL best uniforms: Chargers, Raiders tops among teams in history
