The Pittsburgh Steelers are throwing it back.
The storied franchise revealed their throwback uniforms on Monday to mixed reviews.
As is always the case with new uniform reveals, the approval rating is never 100 per cent. In fact, the criticisms are usually always louder than the praise.
The new look in Pittsburgh is an ode to the past, in fact the very beginning. They revealed the uniforms as a modernized version of those from their inaugural season in 1933.
“We’re excited to unveil our new throwback uniforms which not only pay tribute to the origins of the Steelers franchise but also to the deep connection we have to our hometown of Pittsburgh,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.
“It’s especially fitting that we’ll debut these uniforms on Sunday night, October 26 when we play the Green Bay Packers – another franchise in the league with a long and rich history.”
The jerseys have stripes on the front that represent the look from 1933 when the franchise’s gold jerseys had black stripes on the arms, neck and chest.
The big change comes in the form of the helmet. While the protective headgear wasn’t required back then, the franchise gave itself some creative license to try something new.
Out with the traditional black helmet, and insert a new gold helmet with a black stripe. It is a rather jarring look compared to what the Steel City franchise is accustomed to.
Pittsburgh teammates Alex Highsmith and Pat Freiermuth are both fans of the new look.
“The first time I saw it, my jaw dropped because we haven’t worn a jersey like that in a while as a team,” Highsmith said.
“It’s all so cool. I would say the helmet is my favorite part of it. That yellow matte helmet is just sick. I think it’s a cool new look.
“And then with the jersey, I love that. I am just really excited to wear it.”
Freiermuth echoed the linebacker’s sentiments.
“The yellow helmet is sweet,” Freiermuth said.
“We’ve worn black helmets since I’ve been here, and well before that, and just switching it up to a new helmet I love. It gets players excited. It gets the fans excited.
“It’s something cool to showcase. After we wear them, I want to keep that helmet forever. It’s super cool.”
While the players’ reactions were positive, the fans, however, were very much indifferent.
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“Ugliest uniforms in the league,” one fan commented on X.
“Those pants are terrible, the jerseys meh, and the helmet is awesome. It’s so mixed with good and awful so, it’s ok,” another wrote.
“This is poorly designed by using legacy as an excuse,” one added.
“I just threw up in my mouth after seeing these pictures,” one more joked.
Fans are hard to please, and pleasing every fan is impossible. So you might as well get creative and take chances. The uniform combo is fine and is a cool way to give a nod to the franchise’s roots.
Besides, it’s only for one game, so everyone will be just fine.