Monday, October 28, 2013

Sock Hopping in Minnesota

Last night the Green Bay Packers played circles around the Vikings in Minneapolis. The Packers dressed like pros, and the Vikings... well, the less said the better.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs toward the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Sheesh. Purple is a fine color in moderation, but that's just nasty.

There was one Packer uniform quirk worth noting; several of the Packers wore their white sanitaries pulled up high over their green socks, running back James Stark was among them:

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) and defensive end Brian Robison (96) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
This has been going on for several years. The effect reminds me of the first version of this uniform, from 1959; for one season only, Vince Lombardi's first season in charge, the Packers wore white socks with stripes to match their road jerseys:

I'm not a big fan of the look today. White socks on all players would be one thing, but this homemade customization ruins the "uniform" part of the uniform:

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) and the rest of the team warm up before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
The Packers look best when they all look the same.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) gets tackled by Green Bay Packers' M.D. Jennings (43) and Morgan Burnett (42) after making a reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
I've heard that these types of individual aesthetic gestures are against the NFL's uniform rules, and that fines may be handed down. I'm curious if we'll hear anything about these socks from the league.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

The number one thing that bugs me about the uniforms in the NFL today is when the shirts and pants are all the same color. The Vikings all purple might be the worst of the teams that do that -- If another team had worn them those uniforms would have been the worst thing on the field! Glad the Pack has stuck to the traditional/correct look for a football player.