The Eagles‘ meticulously planned marketing and PR campaign to reintroduce their classic kelly green throwbacks took an unexpected turn when a legitimate leak surfaced, catching them off guard. The team swiftly confirmed the authenticity of the leak, giving credit to Brandon Winston for sharing the image on a Facebook fan page.
In response to the situation, the Eagles quickly adjusted their approach, sharing a few official images on Saturday evening and announcing the availability of kelly green merchandise at the Pro Shops, starting at 9 a.m. on Monday. The news sparked an overwhelming response from fans, with Michael Spina taking the lead by arriving at the stadium at 3:15 a.m., resulting in a queue that wrapped around the block in no time.What is causing fans to be so enthusiastic about this color scheme?
What is causing fans to be so enthusiastic about this color scheme?
The enthusiasm can be attributed to timing and nostalgia, especially for the late 1990s teams led by Randall Cunningham and Reggie White. Despite not securing a Lombardi Trophy during that era, those teams hold a special place in the hearts of many diehard fans who now fill Lincoln Financial Field.
The significance of the kelly green uniform is evident in the memories of many current adults, including a young Jalen Hurts, who avidly watched Randall Cunningham redefine the quarterback position during that era.
Team president Don Smolenski acknowledged the strong connection Eagles fans have to the kelly green uniform, stating, “These uniforms not only pay tribute to our past and the numerous legends who shaped our franchise, but they also symbolize the passion of our incredible fans and the generations that have been authentically bound by them.”
Now, let’s explore further details about the past Eagles greats who proudly wore the kelly green uniform.
What caused the significant delay in bringing it back?
The Eagles’ journey to bring back the kelly green uniform took time due to certain limitations. In 1996, the team changed their colors to midnight green, and the NFL’s one-helmet policy prevented the use of a kelly green helmet with the classic throwback uniform, causing a clash. However, in 2021, the NFL revised its policy, allowing teams to use a second helmet for alternate uniforms, opening the door for the Eagles to reintroduce the kelly green.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie emphasized the importance of aligning the kelly green helmet with the throwback uniform from that era. To ensure a proper rollout, the Eagles partnered with Nike for a complete refresh of the throwbacks. They first introduced a sleek black helmet to match their black alternates in 2022, following the rule change. Subsequently, the team set their kelly green marketing plan in motion for 2023.
Lurie credited the team’s equipment manager, Greg Delimiters, for his tireless efforts behind the scenes to bring this celebrated uniform to life. Delimiters, who has been with the Eagles for over two decades, was promoted to VP of equipment operations in 2019.
Yes, the Eagles did wear kelly green throwbacks in 2010.
When Jason Kelce mentioned that he had never worn the kelly green throwback, it left some people puzzled. Although the Eagles donned the kelly green throwback jerseys in 2010 to honor the 1960 NFL Championship team, Kelce was not part of that game because he was drafted in 2011, a year after the anniversary celebration.
Furthermore, the 1960-inspired jerseys featured a slightly brighter shade of green and were paired with white pants instead of gray ones. Additionally, the helmets were noticeably different, with the 1990s version having clean white trim around gray wings.
Kelce expressed his excitement about the new kelly green uniforms this week, stating that he has always wanted to wear them and considers them one of the most impressive jerseys around.