Nike and the NFL debuted their new "Color Rush" campaign Thursday night during the Bills-Jets game, but it introduced an "unintended consequence," as some colorblind viewers "were unable to distinguish" between the Bills' all-red jerseys and the Jets' all-green uniforms, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Red-green colorblindness "is the most common" form of the affliction, and some fans on Twitter said that Jets and Bills players "looked green to them, a view exacerbated by the green turf at MetLife Stadium." The "Color Rush" campaign will "cover four Thursday night games between now and the end of the season." Instead of one team "wearing a dark jersey and the other white, as the league traditionally requires, both teams will wear primary colors of their alternate third uniform" (ESPN.com, 11/12). In N.Y., Bart Hubbuch notes an NFL spokesperson did "not respond to emails seeking comment on whether the league took color-blindness into account when planning the promotion" (N.Y. POST, 11/13). NFL Network's Phil Simms, who called Thursday's game, during the broadcast said, "I don't know about you but I've got a headache seeing all those neon uniforms" (NFL Network, 11/12). Radio host Dan Patrick asked, "Is this the Nike-ization of the NFL? Is that what we are doing here? All of the sudden Oregon did it, now the NFL is going to do this with these?" Patrick did say he thought the look was "fun," adding, "It was certainly kind of arresting when you watch and you see those uniforms” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 11/13). NBC’s Matt Lauer said, “I like the 'Color Rush' thing. I think it’s cool, I really do. I’m sorry to 10 million people (who are colorblind)” (“Today,” NBC, 11/13).
WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME: The NFL said that the uniforms "combine a current and historic uniform color as a way to 'honor each franchise.'” But the POST's Hubbuch notes a "quick glimpse at Twitter showed fans were more apt to make Christmas jokes and discuss uniform burnings than to pay tribute to the teams’ history." The league said that all 32 teams "will have a 'color rush' uniform by next season that will be worn specifically for Thursday night games" (N.Y. POST, 11/13). In DC, Oliver Macklin wrote Thursday's game was an "on-field spectacle made for the most wonderful time of the year," and the Internet "reacted accordingly" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/12). ESPN’s Stan Verrett said, “No Christmas boycott for them, with all that red and green out there. They don’t have to worry about that” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 11/13). In Buffalo, Tim Graham writes the uniforms were "gaudy." Graham: "I swear I actually could see a gloaming well past midnight in the easterly skies" (BUFFALO NEWS, 11/13).
AFTER THE GOLD RUSH: Next week's "TNF" matchup is Titans-Jaguars, and in Florida, Mike Kaye notes the Jaguars and NFL on Thursday unveiled the "Bold Gold" jerseys the Jags will wear. The jerseys "split the fanbase," with some feeling that "going away from [the] team's trademark teal didn't make sense, while others have embraced the new uniforms" (FIRST COAST NEWS, 11/13). ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco noted the Jaguars "will also don ... gold socks and gold cleats." The club's normal two-toned helmets "will remain, though the gold of the jerseys and pants does not match the gold of the back of the helmet" (ESPN.com, 11/12). NESN.com's Cameron McDonough wrote it "won't look like Christmas" for Titans-Jaguars, but their gold and blue uniforms "might have you wishing for a holiday do-over" (NESN.com, 11/12).
THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL: In previewing the "Color Rush" jerseys the Bills and Jets were set to wear, the panel on ESPN's "NFL Insiders" on Thursday moved their discussion to the worst NFL uniforms of all-time. ESPN’s Adam Schefter called the ’94 Bears throwback uniforms "hideous," saying they looked like a “psychedelic Charlie Brown.” ESPN’s Adam Caplan said the Steelers' recent “Bumble Bee” throwback uniforms were bad and asked, “What in the world is that?” Nix said, “If anybody should not be wearing that -- no offense Big Ben, it’s just not his best look.” ESPN’s Mark Dominik said the ’07 Eagles throwback uniforms were the “worst uniforms I’ve ever seen in my life.” Dominik: “That isn’t even the Philadelphia Eagles. What is that?” (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 11/12).
