Athletic fashion is always changing in college football. Each year, several teams choose to spice up their looks while others prefer to keep their traditional uniforms.
College football uniforms can be simple and straightforward or exotic and intriguing from one season to the next. One team that switches up their look every season is the Oregon Ducks. Oregon is almost always near the top of the list when it comes to uniform rankings, and they show no signs of stopping this year.
The Ducks’ bright jerseys feature an all yellow base with green slits around the shoulder pads, a style that automatically makes the team stand out. The “liquid metal” versions of their helmets are traditionally worn on game day, but a fan favorite among Oregon faithful is the stunning lime green. The lime green helmets are imprinted with chrome wings that represent their glorious mascot, the Duck.
Other college football teams are also finding ways to enhance their overall appearance. For instance, the California Bears have their bear logo embedded in the letters on their jerseys. This tactic is very clever as it makes the eye focus directly on that spot to see the bear within the numbers. Cal has a vibrant color scheme and features three stripes that look like slashes on the pants to give the appearance of a swipe from a bear’s claw.
While Oregon and Cal show quite a bit of complexity on their uniforms, several other teams prefer simplicity. Historically, NCAA teams have only had two uniforms (one for playing at home and one for away games), and a good amount of teams plan to keep it that way. Penn State, for example, has hardly altered their uniforms in the past few decades. The design features a blue shirt, white pants and a number. There are no bells or whistles and certainly no distractions.
In terms of technology, several uniforms displayed this year in college football are incredibly innovative. UCLA jerseys, for instance, have vents meant to help the jersey “breathe,” allowing for less sweat resistance and more aerodynamic freedom. This unique approach may not seem all that important, but uniform manufacturers claim that the athlete is less likely to overheat or feel constricted in a lighter, more open uniform.
Finally, safety plays a huge role in how uniforms and equipment are designed in football. Helmets are certainly the top priority, as concussions and other head injuries have been the biggest problem for athletes, especially in the past few years. The “Revolution” helmet made by Riddell is a popular choice among players as it not only protects but also feels comfortable throughout the duration of a game. Inflatable pads and shock absorbent panels are just a few of the abundance of safety measures employed by the “Revolution.”
With improvements in technology and fashion, athletes now have the luxury of looking good and being protected from harm. It may sound silly, but uniform aesthetics are a huge part of the game and reflect the culture of the school in each and every stitch.