There are several of these lists floating around online, and know doubt you’ve read a few yourself. Everyone has an opinion, and that is just what this is … MY opinion. After reading list after list and disagreeing with other people’s opinions … I figured I would publish my own list. For the purpose of this post I will focus on the home uniforms mostly used by the teams. I also won’t pay any attention to throwbacks or alternates because they are only used sparingly.
Please feel free to include your list in the comments below.
10 Worst NFL Uniforms
10: Detroit Lions
The Lions have made a vast improvement over their old unis with their current threads, but they still leave something to be desired. While not “ugly” they could use some further tweaking, and have the potential to be a world class uniform. It also may be time for an upgrade of the logo. It should be noted that the new black jersey is fantastic. Perhaps the Lions should look at adding a little more black highlights to compliment their blue.
9: Minnesota Vikings
Yet another victim of “better than before, but still not good enough.” The Vikings are on the right track, but I have no idea what they can do to make those unis better. They may be the victim of their purple/yellow combo. At least the Ravens have a sinister purple/black scheme.
8: Buffalo Bills
Now this is a shame. The Bills have a great color scheme. It doesn’t get much better than red, white, and blue after all. The problem is they don’t put them together well. First of all, the solid dark works for many teams … just not the Bills. Second, the helmet flat out sucks ass.
7: Oakland Raiders
This one is a little strange for me because I like black. I also like silver, and I like the two of them together. The Raiders just look unfinished to me. I wouldn’t propose any major changes, but I’d add some details to give the Raiders a more finished look. I’d also make sure they change their logo.
I think it’s about time the drastic logo change gets done. Seriously, does the Raiders logo accurately represent a raider, or the Raiders’ attitude? Of course it doesn’t. If you were at sea and the raider who was trying to rob you looked like the Raiders’ logo you’d be less worried about them stabbing you in the stomach, and more worried about them stabbing you in the ass … if you know what I mean. It’s time to give the Black Hole a worthy logo.
6: Kansas City Chiefs
I’ll admit that I have a problem with red helmets paired with red jerseys, and that’s probably the main reason I’ve never liked the Chiefs uniforms. I really don’t have anything more than that to add. I just don’t care for them.
5: Tennessee Titans
Another case of I just don’t like them. I didn’t care for the oilers before them, and I don’t care for the Titans now. I think it’s the helmet … which is hideous. I give mad props to the Titans though because they are one of the few teams that will invest in several different uniforms to keep it fresh. I wish all teams did that.
4: Indianapolis Colts
I’ve run into several other lists like this online that love the Colts’ uniforms. My question is … why? If there was ever a too minimalist approach to a sports uniform this is it. Yes the Colts unis are classic, and that should be respected. However, you can have a classic look while still having a modern uniform.
Their uniforms remind me of one thing … pee wee football. This is exactly the uniform you get when you are a kid. It’s time for the Colts to grow up.
3: San Fransisco 49ers
I have never been a fan of the 49ers’ uniforms … even when Montana was hitting Rice and making history. I despise the red/gold combo, but the white pants sometimes worn are a step in the right direction. Are the 49ers a professional football team, or a poorly wrapped Christmas present?
2: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins uniforms should be San Fransisco’s uniforms. It’s hard to imagine a uniform that better represents fruit than these. At least Florida has a lot of citrus crops to take the fall as the inspiration for this utterly dismal design. I’ve seen other lists make fun of the Seahawks’ sea foam color while ignoring the Dolphins far more offensive aqua. Nothing screams toughness like aqua.
Does anyone else find it odd that the Dolphins logo is tougher looking than the Raiders’?
I have good news for Dolphins fans, and the rest of us forced to burn our retinas on these eyesores … there are rumors that the dolphins are going to change their unis this upcoming season. Many are speculating that they will announce this at the draft. Dear God let’s hope so.
Finally, here it is … the ugliest uniform in the NFL.
1: Cleveland Browns
I’ve noticed a strange correlation between the other lists online, and the Browns being listed as one of the best NFL uniforms. I smell a conspiracy among Browns fans. After decades of the Browns uniforms being universally acknowledged as the ugliest in the NFL, Browns fans are fighting back. Good for them, but that doesn’t change the undeniable horridness of their uniforms.
To make matters worse, the Browns had a free pass for a do over when they moved to Baltimore. Hell, the first thing the Ravens did was shed the ugly unis of their past. When the fans of Cleveland demanded the Browns come back … they succeeded. A perfect opportunity to design a new uniform that would be respected by fans around the league was squandered as the Cleveland Browns went back to the old and ugly uniforms of yesteryear. I can remember have many discussions with fellow fans who were also stunned that the Browns brought back the crap colored uniforms. The reason the Browns are number 1 for the ugliest uniform in the NFL is blatantly obvious … they can only be described as repugnant.
There you have my 10 worst NFL uniforms list, but what about the 5 best? You’ll find my list of the 5 best uniforms in the NFL below.
Top 5 NFL Uniforms
5: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have had a history of so so uniforms. They went with red … they went with black … finally, someone suggested to put red and black together while using white as a buffer between the two. This novel idea took the Falcons into the 21st century as far as uniforms go. Everything about the new threads is better than the past, and they look good when they take the field.
4: Seattle Seahawks
I’ve seen several list who hate the new Seahawks unis, but seriously … come on! There are more than 8 colors in the world to use on a uniform, but anytime a team shows some originality people freak out. Not only are the Seahawks uniforms infinitely better than anything they’ve ever had, but they accurately represent the pacific northwest that the Seahawks call home.
The sea foam, green, white, and blue all complement each other to make a great looking original uniform. The Seahawks look sharp in a uniform that hasn’t been ripped off from any other team, and that accurately represents their home … few teams can say that.
3: Houston Texans
Now this team looks sharp! Finally an expansion team that got their uniforms right. I can’t say enough about the Texans’ uniforms … the color combo, number of uniforms, stellar logo, and a perfect blend of modern and traditional style make them one of my hands down favorites in all of sports.
The Texans took their uniforms seriously when they entered the NFL, and it shows. Not only does it show in the colors, but the logo says a lot about how proud that organization is. Virtually all modern expansion teams have bad logos. Just look at the Ravens, Panthers, Titans and Jaguars to see what I mean. The Texans straight up look good!
2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay used to have the honor of ugliest uniforms with their old tangerine jerseys. People used to make fun of the Bucs because they looked like girls even though the tangerine is a hell of a lot more manly than aqua. A little while back Tampa got sick and tired of being the laughing stock of the NFL, and they went as far away from “fruity” as possible. Tampa Bay wanted their new look to strike fear in their opponents. They wanted to be the bully now, and they succeeded on both counts.
It was instantaneous that the Bucs became a new team the moment they got their new uniforms. Perhaps they had designed a uniform that intimidated their opponents. Of the two pirate teams in the NFL, only the Bucs truly represent the savage nature of a pirate. As with the Seahawks, the Bucs branched out from the traditional 8 colors for their uniforms, and went with a pewter. Some may say that the Bucs look like the 49ers (and we all know how much I hate the 49ers’ uniforms), but if you think that … you are a dink. The Bucs have a truly original uniform that accurately represents their mascot, and the historical heritage of the waters of their coast.
A pirate is not a pirate without a jolly roger flag, and the Bucs were wise to put on their helmets. Pirates need a symbol that lets everyone know that they mean business, and that they are truly vicious pirates … not butt pirates (listen up Oakland). For originality, colors, accurate representation, and a menacing look … the Bucs are second on my list.
The best looking uniform in the NFL is …
1: Chicago Bears
I’ll admit I’m biased because I’m a die hard Bears fan, but I’m not biased like Browns fans in that I’m not delusional enough to say my team’s uniforms are the best simply because they are my team. No, the Bears are universally acknowledged to have one of the best uniforms in the NFL, and even all of professional sports. Most lists have the Bears in the top 3. So it isn’t a stretch at all to put them at number one.
Bear blue is not only original, but it is timeless as well. The Bears have found a way to maintain their traditional look throughout the decades while still keeping the team looking fresh and new. If only the Colts would pay attention to this process. The Bears’ uniform has changed little over the years, but they have been great at “tweaking” their timeless look to keep up with modern style. This talent has kept the Bears’ uniforms one of most liked by football fans for decades. I would like to see the Bears branch out a little in an alternate design, but I never want them to get rid of their classic look. It isn’t just these great points that make the Bears’ uniforms my favorite, but the fact that they honor “Papa Bear” himself George Stanley Halas on their sleeves by imprinting GSH. Now that is classy.