Univ. of Michigan AD Dave Brandon on Friday introduced the adidas "legacy" uniforms the school's football team will wear when it plays its first home night game on Sept. 10 against Notre Dame, according to Jim Knight of ANNARBOR.com. UM players "will sport a jersey with a maize block 'M,' a small number high on the left side and five maize stripes on each shoulder of a blue uniform." Brandon said that the uniforms "incorporate elements of various Michigan uniforms from the 1890s to now." Fans can "purchase the special jersey for $80 starting Aug. 1 at select stores." Brandon said that he "doesn't expect many special jerseys for the Michigan football program" (ANNARBOR.com, 6/10). UM's helmets for the game will have "special gray face masks and small number decals on sides behind the wings." Brandon said that there are "no plans to repeat the alternate jersey idea on a yearly basis -- the school will auction the jerseys after the game" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/11). Meanwhile, the Notre Dame for that game will wear a "white jersey with Kelly green lettering and two Kelly green shoulder stripes, old gold-colored pants, white socks with green stripes and white shoes." A "large shamrock logo appears on the traditional gold helmet for the first time since the early 1960s." The years Notre Dame won National Championships are "listed inside the bottom hem of the jersey" (SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE, 6/11).
GROWING ON ME: YAHOO SPORTS' Graham Watson wrote, "Initially, I wasn't a huge fan of the Michigan jerseys, but looking at the photo of the entire uniform put together makes it look kind of snazzy and a little out of Michigan's traditional comfort zone." Notre Dame's jersey "just look classic." Watson: "I'm pretty sure these uniforms will probably get people more pumped for the game than the actual teams" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/10).
