We have a code red on our hands, folks: an NFL team has rehashed its old uniforms for a modern-day alternate design. This time, it’s the New York Giants committing the sin for their new uniforms that commemorate their 100th anniversary in the 2024 season.
The Giants officially unveiled their new “Century Red” uniforms that take inspiration from several years of their history. The beige pants and red socks with blue and white stripes are an ode to the uniforms from 1925, the franchise’s first season, while the jersey is an ode to 1933 and the helmet to 1938. New York made its first of three straight NFL championship games starting in ’33 (winning it all the next year) and won the title in ’38. The uniforms also feature the team’s commemorative patch.
The Giants trying to pack so much history into their centennial uniforms is understandable but their execution was way off the mark. The beige pants look way out of place and the jersey just does not look like a football jersey. Scrapbooking parts of old uniforms together doesn’t make for a uniform that fits nicely together — shocker! Just because something is an effective throwback to the past, which these uniforms definitely are, doesn’t mean it’s good.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and many more have shown how trying to modernize a look from the infancy of their histories creates abominable uniforms for the modern NFL. Teams can certainly take elements from old uniforms or bring back old uniforms that actually look great (like the Eagles and Broncos did with their respective Kelly Green and bright orange/light blue looks). But slapping old concepts on modern uniforms is a recipe for disaster.
Current Giants players praised the new threads. “I like the fact that we stick to the legacy and keep paying it forward,” said Kayvon Thibodeaux in the team’s press release. Bobby Okereke said that they are “a testament to all the guys who played before. They paved the way for us to play this great game.”
However, for the most part, the rest of the football world is laughing at them.
Giants roasted for 100th anniversary alternate uniforms
Many have made jokes that the uniforms are extremely similar to those worn by the NFL’s Montreal Canadiens. Honestly, it’s fair game. The Habs’ threads are red with a blue stripe across the middle and their helmet is blue, too. New York’s alternate helmets also look just like the helmets worn by Michigan football.
Even Giants fans weren’t feeling the new look. While some have positive reactions, a lot more fans from the Big Blue fan base and others were repulsed.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero tried to offer some kind words but was lambasted. Even his colleague, Mike Garafolo, wasn’t having it.
The Giants will wear their new uniform in two yet-to-be-determined games in the 2024 season. The team is scheduled to be featured on an edition of Hard Knocks that focuses on the early portion of the offseason, so perhaps we’ll get a look behind the scenes at how this uniform came to be.
More must-reads: