In what might be seen as Nike’s boldest move since it began its deal as the official on-field apparel brand of the NFL last season, the world’s largest shoe and apparel company unveiled its Pro Bowl uniforms Tuesday morning.
Gone are the blue and red that have represented the NFC and AFC teams, respectively. The new colors? Bright orange and volt yellow, the color that Nike has used frequently with the University of Oregon, the favorite team of Nike chairman Phil Knight.
The move away from the traditional outfit comes as the game takes on a new format. Instead of the AFC vs. NFC matchup that has been part of the game since 1971, teams will be filled by players voted to the game in a new draft-style format. The two leading vote-getters will be named captains and will be assisted by Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders and two NFL.com fantasy football champions in picking the two teams.
Nike says the uniforms will feature achievement stars on the nameplates, a take on the much talked-about feature that adidas unveiled on NBA All-Star player warm-up jackets this past year.
The achievement stars on the nameplates will be a nod to how many Pro Bowls that each player has been in.
The game will take place on Jan. 26, a week before the Super Bowl, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.
Save for a complete overhaul on the Seattle Seahawks uniform last season and tweaks made to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings uniforms this season, the partnership between the NFL and Nike could be described as conservative through the first two seasons.
Nike gives Pro Bowl uniforms radical facelift
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