I remember the first time I ever saw an ugly NFL uniform. It was during an ESPN Viewers’ Choice poll conducted at the end of the 2013-14 season. I thought to myself, ‘Why on earth would anyone want to wear something that looks like it was pulled straight out of a horror movie?’ And from that moment on, I’ve been obsessed with learning everything I can about the ugliest NFL uniforms.
It turns out there’s actually a lot of debate about which uniforms are truly the ugliest. For every team that completely redesigns their look every season, there’s another team who’s still wearing throwbacks from their glory days in the 1970s and 80s. Some people may call these retro designs ‘ugly,’ while others may see the nostalgia in them.
Personally, I think there are a few teams that are still wearing uniforms that could win the ‘Ugliest NFL Uniform Award.’ The top contender on my list is definitely the Atlanta Falcons. Don’t get me wrong – I still love the falcons and their gritty style of play. But when it comes to their jerseys, they don’t get much worse than this. The all-black fatigues with the red accents is just too busy – it looks like something a secret agent would be caught wearing in a spy thriller movie.
The Oakland Raiders uniform is also one of the ugliest in the league. The color combinations of black, yellow and silver are not flattering, and the striping down the leg of the pants gives the players an overly militarized look. Some might even call it a little cheesy.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t exactly at the top of the style list either. Their all-red jersey with the black accents can be a bit jarring when seen in a sea of other similarly-colored uniforms during a high-stakes game. Plus, the pewter-colored helmets are a bit dated, and no longer stand out as they once did.
The New England Patriots also have one of the ugliest uniforms in the league. The all blue ensemble, combined with white and red accents, can look a bit ‘over the top’ when seen all together on the field. The helmet could also use some work, as the silver accents look out of place next to the clean, all white background.
And lastly, there is the Seattle Seahawks. Their uniforms are the exact opposite of ‘ugly’ – they are some of the most stylish and modern in the league. But, the navy and lime green can be too much for some, and the overly bright helmet looks a bit unnatural next to the pitch black away uniforms.
I’m sure there are plenty of other teams with uniforms that could be described as ‘ugly,’ but these five are the ones that stand out to me the most. What’s your opinion? Do you agree with my picks, or do you have your own personal picks for the league’s ugliest uniform?