At Least the Packers *DRESSED* Well....

Miserable game in Green Bay, as the anemic Packers fell to the Cowboys. Ugh. A perfect record in the throwback blues is out the window, and been a while since I've heard that many boos at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay Packers' Joe Thomas (48) celebrates his fumble recovery during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Still, the uniforms looked great as always.

Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis. (Perry Knotts/NFL)

I even love the sideline gear:

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy argues a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The only good news was an appearance by Brett Favre. And his Hall of Fame bust.

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre during a halftime ceremony during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis.. The Cowboys defeated the Packers 30-16. (Perry Knotts/NFL)

Favre's name was added to the Ring of Honor, finally closing out an era.

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre's name is unveiled during a halftime ceremony during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis.. The Cowboys defeated the Packers 30-16. (Perry Knotts/NFL)

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre during a halftime ceremony during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 in Green Bay, Wis.. The Cowboys defeated the Packers 30-16. (Perry Knotts/NFL)

If Packers fans were thinking about past glory days during the second half of the game, it probably wasn't Curly Lambeau and the 1940s.

True Blue v. Dallas

Uni Watch blogger Paul Lukas has confirmed that the Packers will wear their throwback uniforms against Dallas:

Packers will wear 1940s throwbacks on Oct. 16 vs. Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/5zmVOxRUXj

— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) August 25, 2016

Packers Announce "Game Features" for 2016

Last night, the Packers released a schedule of special game events for the upcoming season, including some information on special uniforms.

Packers to honor Favre with halftime ceremony

Additional game features for 2016 also announced

The Packers today announced several game features for the upcoming season, including a halftime ceremony on Oct. 16 to honor Brett Favre for his Aug. 6 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

Favre, whose name will be unveiled on the Lambeau Field stadium façade next to fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers, will be recognized on the field at halftime of the Packers-Cowboys game.

At the same contest, the Packers will wear their historic third jersey, a re-creation of the team’s 1937-48 uniform that debuted as the third jersey during the 2015 season. The jersey, navy blue and gold with a gold yoke across the shoulders, pays tribute to a special time in Packers history in which the club won two of their record 13 NFL championships.

The NFL’s third jersey program permits teams to have a third jersey that they can wear for up to three games per season (no more than two home games) over a five-year period.

The Oct. 16 game will also feature the annual Coats for Kids collection prior to kickoff. Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to donate new and gently used winter coats for distribution to needy children through area Salvation Army units.

As was previously announced, the Packers will debut their color rush jerseys during the Oct. 20, Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears. That game will also feature the annual Verizon HopeLine collection, which collects no-longer-used wireless devices from fans to support domestic violence prevention efforts and assist domestic violence survivors.

Additional game features planned for the upcoming season include welcoming many Packers alumni back to Lambeau Field during the alumni homecoming game, set for the Sunday, Sept. 25, home opener. That Packers-Lions matchup also will feature the 30th Annual Packers Women’s Association Food Drive, which will collect non-perishable food items and cash donations prior to the game to benefit Paul’s Pantry.

The annual breast cancer awareness game will take place Oct. 9, when the Packers take on the New York Giants, and the Nov. 6 game will honor the military in the annual Salute to Service game, when the Packers face the Indianapolis Colts. The Sunday, Dec. 4, game, when the Packers host the Houston Texans, will feature the annual Toys for Tots collection, giving fans the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys to needy children in the area through the U.S. Marine Corps.

The final home game of the regular season, the Christmas Eve noon Packers-Vikings matchup, will thank Packers fans for their support as the team celebrates the annual Fan Appreciation game.

More information about each game’s theme and features will be announced as the games approach.

So not only do we know the Packers will wear their throwbacks on October 16th against the Cowboys, but they have confirmed the details of the NFL's third jersey program: up to three times a year (twice at home), each design remains their sole standard alternate for five seasons.

Also new is the date for their Color Rush uniforms. Thursday night, October 30, against Chicago. No timeline yet for unveiling the design.

Thanks to reader Tory Swanson for the heads-up!

An Ugly Game, but a Good-Looking One

The Packers squeaked out a 27-20 win over the San Diego Chargers at Lambeau Field yesterday. On national television, no less, so I was able to watch them live in their throwback uniforms.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) prepares to pass during a NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Green Bay Packers during week six on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers beat the Chargers 27-20. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)

The blue-and-gold combination is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the bright sunlight.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws before an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

I do wish the Packers would wear undershirts that match their jerseys. The white is especially egregious here, since there's no other white on the uniform, and blue would complete the throwback look.

As usual, many of the players had their jerseys customized for the fit they prefer. In the case of receiver James Jones, his neck was cut so tight that the NFL shield was bumped down below the gold yoke.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) does a \"Lambeau Leap\" during a NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Green Bay Packers during week six on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers beat the Chargers 27-20. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)

Linebacker Mike Neal has his cut somewhere in between, resulting in a collar that matches the original uniform on which the throwback is based. (Which is how they all should look.)

San Diego Chargers' Branden Oliver (43) is chased by Green Bay Packers' Mike Neal (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

And, of course, the sideline gear was much on display.

Oct 18, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers calls out during warmups prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at Lambeau Field. (USA Today Sports/Jeff Hanisch)

Gotta love that logo.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) salutes the cheering fans following an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers beat the Chargers 27-20. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)

Added to the throwback goodness was the total lack of Pinktober nonsense. I can only presume that the Packers didn't want to double-up on the events, which is all the better for us.

Green Bay Packers' James Jones (89) runs past San Diego Chargers' Brandon Flowers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

I understand fans not wanting to move away from Lombardi's masterpiece, even for a single game. I understand fans wanting to see the Green and Gold wearing, well, green and gold. But for one shining Sunday in October of 2015, Curly Lambeau's Packers were back on the field. And I think anything which reminds people of the club's long and glorious history is a good thing.

Photo Gallery: Packers Locker Room Ready with Throwbacks

Packers.com has posted photographs of the the team's locker room, as the equipment managers are setting up for today's game against the Chargers.

Interesting customization on that jersey's neckline; the collar drops below the bottom of the gold yoke, creating an effect that better mimics the original jersey on which that throwback was modeled.

Looks so much better that way.

In accordance with NFL safety regulations, the Packers will be wearing their standard gold helmets stripped of their logos and Braisher stripes.

They will be keeping their green facemasks, although the team could switch those for gray or blue if they so wished.

Every player gets a copy of the game program along with his full uniform and pads.

I wonder how many page through it, read the articles, check to make sure their name is spelled correctly?

Finally, the equipment team finishes its work and the locker room is ready for players.

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful game.

Infographic: Packers/Chargers Preview

Packers.com just posted this week's infographic, looking ahead to Sunday's game with the Chargers.

In addition to the all-time Packers-Chargers series, this week’s infographic takes a closer look at Green Bay’s turnover margin in 2015 and the production of the offense’s top two receivers this season, James Jones and Randall Cobb.

There's a small problem with this one, though, in the "Throwback Debut" section.

It describes the throwback uniform as "a re-creation of the team's uniform from 1927-48". That is most likely a typo, since we know this uniform was actually introduced in 1937 and persisted into the 1949 season. And I'm not sure why they keep using that number font for jerseys in the infographics, when the actual font would look so much better.

Icon-oclastic

A few months ago, I wondered if the Packers would be using their new throwback wordmark as a proper logo during their throwback-uniform weeks. Well, yesterday the team made it official by adopting it as their Twitter icon.

I do love this wordmark, inspired by the late 1940s sideline jackets. The letters are obviously hand-drawn with all the idiosyncrasies you'd expect. It would probably be more effective as a social media icon if the team had put it on a blue background; gold text doesn't read very well against white, especially at this small size.

To compliment this new icon, they have also updated their Twitter header photo, with a blue-and-gold photo of Don Hutson and Tony Canadeo, the legendary Gray Ghost.

Nice overall effect; I always like to see the throwback colors.

Interestingly, the Packers have not updated their main website to match, as they did in 2010, 2011, 2013, and last year (the Packers didn't wear the alternate uniforms in 2012).

Shame. I always look forward to that.

Another Look at What Might Have Been

Courtesy of user thespungo on the sportslogos.net boards, this is a view of what Nike might have created for our Packers instead of just repeating Starter's mistakes with the 1994 throwback uniforms.

I love it. The yoke is perfect, ending above the collar point, and with shoulders more accurately replicate the 1937-1949 jersey.  We know the Packers wore actual gold pants with this uniform, not tan, so they're included as well. 

I could go either way on the sock stripes - the early version of this uniform had them, later versions did not - but this is definitely the throwback uniform we should have gotten.  

Nike Makes It Official

Nike has posted their press release announcing the new alternate uniforms, along with our first look at the full uniform.

As I reported earlier, the Packers will be wearing their tan pants and navy socks with the jersey.

The yoke looks better over pads, not as oversized.

Note also the green facemask; these are the standard helmets with logos and Braisher stripes removed.

The tan pants aren't exactly accurate for the period, but I do like the look.

Here's the press release:

GREEN BAY PACKERS GO OLD SCHOOL WITH NEW NIKE ALTERNATE UNIFORM

Tradition. History. Success. These words define the Green Bay Packers. The Packers own the most championships (13) in National Football League history, and since its founding in 1919, have honored tradition with a distinctive green and yellow uniform aesthetic.

Today, the Packers reveal a new Nike alternate uniform replicating the team’s 1937 design, which has not been worn on the field since 1994. The Packers have won two championships in this uniform that navy blue and gold jersey [sic], the Packers’ predominant color scheme over their first three decades; and their design will include a gold yoke across the shoulders, the distinctive feature of their uniforms from 1937-49. Completing the throwback uniform will be faded gold pants and navy socks.

The fan jerseys will be available for purchase on Nike.com and in select retailers beginning today.

I do love the uniform as a whole, although I wish they had re-designed the jersey rather than just grabbing Starter's imperfect 1994 design.

New Throwbacks Leaked?

It looks like the new Packer throwback uniforms, first confirmed last November, have been leaked:

This indicates a return to the very first throwback uniform worn by the Packers, back in 1994:

And not just the style of the old throwbacks, but the exact same throwbacks themselves.

If true, this is monumentally disappointing. I'm a huge fan of the Curly Lambeau era in Packers history, but the team could do so much better in recreating that classic uniform.

It hits the broad strokes, but the details are all wrong.

For the team to wear an inaccurate throwback in 1994 was one thing. But today, they could do so much better.

Confirmed: New Throwbacks in 2015

We've known since November that the Packers were going to replace their alternate uniforms with a new design, but now the team has confirmed it. Via the Press-Gazette:

Packers plan to roll out new throwback uniforms

Weston Hodkiewicz, Press-Gazette Media
9:18 p.m. EDT March 25, 2015

PHOENIX – Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy confirmed that the team will debut a new third alternate uniform in 2015 during the final day of the NFL annual meetings on Wednesday.

Murphy said it will again consist of a throwback design that will be announced at a later date. The Packers wore the 1929-30 design the past five seasons. The replica uniforms, which represent the first year the Packers won the NFL championship, were blue jerseys with a gold circle in the chest.

NFL rules mandated it was the only alternate uniform the Packers could wear for a five-year period. Now that it's expired, the Packers are going to utilize a new old-school look.

"We're definitely going to do it, it will come up soon," Murphy said. "It's going to be exciting. It's going to be an old jersey. It won't be a modern jersey, a Nike… This will be from a past era. I think the fans like it. From what I've seen those games are always kind of fun and the players really enjoy it, too."

Teams are allowed to wear their alternate uniforms a maximum of three times per season, though the Packers traditionally have only chosen to wear it once a year.

Man, that's an awkward first sentence. He means to say that Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy confirmed during the final day of the NFL annual meetings on Wednesday that the team will debut a new third alternate uniform in 2015. We don't yet know when they'll actually unveil the design.

A Tight Fit

The Patriots have put up a photo gallery featuring their next opponent, our Packers. Among them, this great shot of running back Eddie Lacy from last year:

Associated Press photo

Must have been cold that day; he's wearing compression tights under his pants and socks.

Nice, but let's see if somebody can get Eddie a pair in team colors.

What Will Replace the Acme Packers?

NFL uniform regulations establish a five-year lifespan for alternates; teams don't have to wear their alts every season, but they can't introduce a new one until five seasons have passed. That means the Packers' 1920s-era alternates, introduced in 2010, can be replaced as soon as next season.

Paul Lukas at Uni Watch is breaking news that it will actually happen:

Heard yesterday from a trusted industry source, who shared the new Nike/NFL 2015 youth catalog with me (the cover of which is shown above). This isn’t as good as seeing the adult catalog, natch, but it nonetheless offers some interesting hints regarding what’s in store for next season.

Uni Watch

Looking at the home jerseys, we can see that the Browns are getting new uniforms, represented by a blank graphic so as not to leak the design:

Uni Watch

The same story for the road uniforms, no new changes except for Cleveland.

Uni Watch

Now we come to the alternates. This is where it gets interesting. The Browns are getting new alts, as might be expected, but so are the 49ers, the Dolphins... and our Packers.

Uni Watch

Here's a closer look:

Uni Watch

So that's it. The Packers will have new alternate jerseys next year. That could mean a full alternate uniform, like the current throwbacks, or a new jersey in team colors. Given that non-throwback alts need to stick with the team palette, that would mean a gold jersey. They've been selling them as fashion jerseys for over a decade; next season we could finally see something like this take the field.

But let's hope not.

They could even pair it with a pair of white or green pants; the NFL's regulations are remarkably lax on pants, presumably because they don't sell those.

But let's hope not.

I think it's far more likely that we'll see another throwback instead. I hope we'll see another throwback instead. But what era?

My hope is that we'll see a return to the classic Curly Lambeau uniform of the 1940s.


It would keep the gorgeous (and presumably lucrative) navy and gold color scheme.

This is also the uniform in which the Packers won two World Championships, the first in 1939 and the second in 1944. And the gold yoke is tailor-made for this era of magically-shrinking sleeves.

The Packers re-created this uniform once before, for the 1994 league-wide celebration of the NFL's 75th Anniversary.

I'd say they were moderately successful in re-creating the vintage look.

The basic idea is good, but look at the yoke on Don Hutson's jersey, which falls above the curve of his crew-neck. The gold on Favre's jersey comes right down and obscures that line.

The yoke also covers the entire sleeve, when it really should just cap the shoulder.

Given the period (throwback uniforms had only come into vogue three years earlier, and this was the NFL's first attempt), they aren't bad. But they could do so much better now.

Steve Wåhlin of Minneapolis-based design firm BAKER created a series of concept uniforms for the Packers which we featured a couple years ago, before the Nike takeover. One of his concepts was based on that classic 1940s look.

Change the metallic gold of his proposal to the classic athletic gold, adopt a more traditional block number font instead of Wåhlin's custom numbers, and you could have an excellent reproduction of classic Lambeau-era aesthetics in modern materials.

So that's one option. There's another one that could be equally interesting; the 1935-36 green and golds.

For two years, including a World Championship season in 1936, the Packers wore kelly green jerseys with gold raglan sleeves.

Here's a look at those uniforms in action at 1935's training camp in Rhinelander:

And against the Chicago Cardinals on September 13, 1936:

Off-tackle power play (above) gains ground for the Chicago Cardinals against the Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals, wearing light-blue pants and bright-red jerseys, have made a big hole for Al Nichelini, No. 43, their fast ball-carrying back. Harry Field, No. 31, Cardinal tackle, is cutting back toward the center of the line to block the Packers backfield men.

So this seems a real possibility, although a-slightly-lighter-shade-of-green seems somewhat less marketable than a completely new color like navy.

So what do you think? A gold fashion-style jersey, one of those throwbacks, or something else entirely? We should find out sometime after the Super Bowl.