Nebraska Unis

Nebraska To Sport Alternative Adidas Uniform For One Game Next Season

Published April 3, 2012

Nebraska AD Tom Osborne confirmed that adidas, the school's apparel provider, is “designing an alternate uniform for one game next season,” according to Sam McKewon of the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD. Osborne said, “It would probably appeal to some of our recruits and some of our fans. Usually older ones like me are a little more traditional, so rather than get into a big argument over uniforms, we'll stay pretty much down the middle. We'll have at least one game where there's a change.” McKewon reports the uniforms will be “futuristic” but “not so dramatic that no one will know which team is out there.” Since the “really serious discussions” about an alternate uniform began “two months ago between adidas and Osborne, Nebraska's already vetoed one look proposed by the company.” Osborne: “We sent them back to the drawing table and said ‘Let's cool this down a little bit.'” He said that Nebraska “resisted all changes to the white helmet with the thin ‘N’ logo,” and that he believed “a black helmet had been proposed.” He later said that he “couldn't confirm that the helmet would stay exactly the same” (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 4/3). The AP’s Eric Olson noted the Huskers' uniforms “have changed little over the decades.” There was a “mini uproar in 2002 when piping were added to the jerseys -- white on the red home jerseys, red on the white road tops,” and the stripes “were gone the next year” (AP, 4/2). Nebraska WR Kenny Bell said, "As far as recruiting goes, I think it will really help us. I know when I was in high school, I looked at Oregon, and I was like, 'Wow, that's so cool they wear new jerseys'" (LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR, 4/3).

NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND: In Omaha, Tom Shatel writes, “Be very careful with this, Nebraska. Sure, it's only one game, right? Let's not overreact. You let adidas have its wow factor for Saturday, sell some jerseys, let the players have fun. What's the harm?” He continues, “The danger is, you do it once, the door is open. Then maybe next year you do it again for one game. Or two. Then it becomes easier and easier to mess with one of the iconic uniforms in college football.” Shatel: “But go with a red helmet or black jersey and you're a step closer to being Oregon or Maryland. … Throwbacks are fine. They tie to a tradition.” He added, “Futuristic duds are for the sci-fi channel” (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 4/3).