photo by Sean Jensen - Chicago Sun-Times
After all the hoopla regarding the unveiling of Nike’s new line of NFL uniforms, the Chicago Bears threads look…basically the same, their classic “old school” look maintained. The Bears will debut their new Nike lighter and tighter uniforms this upcoming season. The other 31 NFL teams will be rocking new Nike uniforms as well because the company struck a deal with the NFL for the next five years.
There are a few key changes to the Bears new uniform, Nike worked hand in hand with Bears head equipment manager Tony Medlin, who kept the players in the loop. The jerseys are lighter, snugger, with shorter sleeves (this gives opponents less to grab onto), they obviously have the Nike swoop adorning the sleeve, but also feature something the Bears hold near and dear: the presence and prominence of the GSH patch, which stands for George S. Halas, the franchise’s owner and a professional football pioneer.
Bears Chairman George McCaskey stated:
“Our family’s biggest concern was, we wanted to make sure the GSH on the left sleeve went back to its original size,” McCaskey said. “It had gotten smaller. Now, it’s restored to its original, 1984 size, so we’re very excited about that.”
Here’s a little before and after for you:
Brian Urlacher is looking fierce as always. Some subtle differences are in the sleeves and neckline. The NFL logo on the collar no longer has a white background. The stripes on the sleeves have been moved up, and the numbers are now on the shoulders instead of the sleeves. The shorter sleeves allow for less bagginess, in theory meaning less holding, which Urlacher believes will free up defensive end Julius Peppers for a wild season. I think my favorite touch is on the gloves, I’ve always been a sucker for accessories, check it out.
The biggest makeover happened for the Seattle Seahawks with some coloring changes, a patch look on the shoulders and what are allegedly feathers down the legs representing the 12th Man.
