DETROIT, Mich. — Contained in the conflict room through the NFL draft in 2021, new Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell requested crew president Rod Wooden when the black uniforms would return.
“Whenever you win the division,” Wooden responded.
Contemporary off their first division title in three a long time, the Lions will likely be again in black this season as an alternate uniform.
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After falling one sport shy of creating their first Tremendous Bowl look in 2023, the Lions will faucet into their previous with the notorious black uniforms now making their return.
The Lions formally unveiled the brand new look throughout an unique occasion for season-ticket holders on Thursday at Ford Subject.
“It is a new angle. It is a new type and it is our type,” Campbell mentioned. “So, with that, the jerseys come out with it.”
In 1948, Detroit launched a brand new black uniform then introduced it again in 2005 as an alternate jersey, that includes Honolulu Blue numbers with silver and white trim however shied away from the on-field look utterly after 2007.
The brand new black jerseys could be paired with both black pants or the crew’s blue pants, whereas the blue numbers function a silver define with “LIONS” throughout the chest.
The alternate matte blue helmets will now function a black leaping Lions brand trimmed in silver.
Extra grit. Extra angle. Extra drive. pic.twitter.com/hreCyzZMoK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 18, 2024
“All I’ve gotta say is I’ll begin a petition so we are able to put on these dangerous boys for each residence sport,” mentioned Lions nice Calvin Johnson earlier than cheers through the occasion. “It is stunning. This goes again to the Reeboks we wore again within the day. They’re bringing again the block numbers with a brand new contemporary trendy type.”
The Lions’ unique plan was to roll out the jerseys through the unique presentation, however the jerseys have been leaked on-line early Thursday in a now-deleted advert put up.
The group playfully responded to the information via a prerecorded video on X — previously referred to as Twitter — that featured defensive deal with Alim McNeill.
“Whoever leaked the uniform video, we admire it,” McNeill mentioned. “We admire you ruining all of the laborious work we put in. Video coming quickly.”
McNeill was additionally on-site through the occasion to unveil the up to date highway uniforms whereas second-year tight finish Sam LaPorta sported the revamped main blue jersey, which contains a blue and white stripe that ties to the jersey sleeves. Corridor of Fame working again Barry Sanders was additionally in attendance and shared the stage with LaPorta.
“They’re good. They’re cool. Like it. Slightly little bit of a contact from the previous with one thing new and thrilling,” Sanders mentioned. “It is becoming that we’re taking a look at how the Lions begin to flip over a brand new leaf and it is nearly becoming that they’ve new uniforms.”
New threads 📸
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 18, 2024
Lions security Kerby Joseph modeled the black threads throughout the grand stage of their residence stadium.
“Truthfully, blue is my favourite shade, however I really feel like this blue is exclusive. I really feel prefer it’s actually one thing in regards to the richness of it,” Joseph mentioned. “It actually pops. So, I do know after we go on the market on the sphere, it is going to actually pop and actually stick out.”
There was a ton of pleasure all through Ford Subject as tons of of followers confirmed as much as watch the presentation from the stands. Detroit may also host its first NFL draft subsequent week.
Lions proprietor Sheila Ford Hamp drew cheers as she expressed her purpose within the new threads for subsequent season.
“One of many targets of 2024 is that on the finish of the season, we will likely be hoisting the [Lombardi] trophy,” she mentioned.