The Falcons today "released their new-look uniforms," though the team was "set to reveal them next Tuesday," according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Allegedly leaked pictures "appeared online yesterday, but the team would not confirm or deny them." It has been 17 years "since the Falcons have made a uniform change." The team has been "working with Nike on the new design for the past two seasons and have received player and fan feedback." Falcons Owner Arthur Blank in a statement today acknowledged the timing of the reveal: "Football will be back and when it is, I can promise our Falcons will be stronger than ever." Coach Dan Quinn: "During this tough time for so many, we hope this new look gives our fans something to look forward to." Blank in a January letter to ticket holders "addressing the unrest with the team" had promised that it "would unveil new Nike uniforms in April" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/8).
FORWARD MOTION: CBS SPORTS' Patrik Walker writes, "There have been times in the past when the Falcons went for a more throwback look but, this time around, they have their eyes firmly planted on the future while keeping just enough nostalgia to remember where they came from." Blank is "continuing the legacy of the team by sticking to the traditional black, white and red trio, but adding gradient to the red jersey" over black pants. The "most notable change outside of that is the all-white combination with highly-contrasting black jersey numbers" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/8). USA TODAY's Charles Curtis writes of social media reaction after the leak and into today: "Some people thought they were sleek, but there were a bunch of people who thought they looked more like jerseys you’d see on XFL players, or that they were similar to the ones worn by Texas Tech or Louisville" (USA TODAY, 4/8).
