Fast is Faster: Nike's New NFL Uniforms Tout Technology

Posted by Shirley Brady on April 3, 2012 07:04 PM

As part of its own image evolution, the NFL unveiled its new uniforms today in New York, with a player from each of the 32 franchises modeling his team's look by new league apparel partner, Nike.

According to the Associated Press report, most teams' new cutting edge Nike Elite 51 uniforms (tagline: "Fast is Faster") aimed to combine "tradition with innovation," but one team stood out.

"In college football," AP explained, "flashy uniforms, with non-traditional colors and patterns are all the rage these days. Oregon, the alma mater of Nike founder Phil Knight, has made the cutting-edge — some would say over-the-edge — look its calling card. Nike outfits dozens of major college football teams and while few have gone all-in the way Oregon does, many are at least dabbling in funky gear. Those gloves that create a school’s logo when a player hold his hands together, palms out, and which have popped up on campuses from Alabama to Notre Dame, will now be on display at every NFL game. And, of course, available in stores — along with all kinds of new team gear from jackets to hoodies to T-shirts. "

"Only the Seattle Seahawks, who took the unveiling of the uniform as an opportunity to start a rebranding campaign for the franchise, made significant alterations to their uniforms, adding some neon green trim down the sides of the pants and numbers."

“I like the fact that there are teams that are pretty much staying more in line with where they’ve been and there’s other teams that are starting to push a little bit more,” said Nike CEO and President Mark Parker. “We see that happen at the college level perhaps even more aggressively, but I think you’ll see the NFL evolving and Nike being an exciting partner in actually helping make that happen.” The Seattle uniforms, modeled by defensive back Kam Chancellor, were definitely a winner among the other players. “Seattle has the hottest uniform right now,” (New Orleans) Saints running back Pierre Thomas said. “So I’m a little jealous. But I still love my all black. I think it looks nice.”

As Nike stated in its promo below, "We are committed to delivering innovation to the worlds greatest athletes. The Seattle Seahawks allowed us the opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation and design. The result, a game changing uniform built from the ground up."

Below, check out Nike's videos promoting the new uniforms and the Seattle Seahawks visual identity refresh — and a closer look at those logo gloves: