Eagles Owner Announces Return of Popular Kelly Green Jerseys
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to bring back the classic kelly green uniforms for the upcoming NFL season after a 27-year absence. The announcement was made by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, who expressed excitement about fulfilling fans’ desires for the return of the popular jerseys.
Lurie’s Push for Kelly Green Uniforms
According to Lurie, he has been advocating for the return of the kelly green jerseys since 2018. The team received feedback from fans about their love for the kelly green uniforms, and Lurie saw their passion as a sign that they needed to bring them back.
Matching the 1980s Style
The Eagles wanted to match the style of Kelly Green jerseys from the 1980s that fans remember and love. The team planned to work with Nike to match the exact color as closely as possible, using new materials that do not have that color in their palette.
NFL’s Policy Changes
A policy change for the NFL in 2018 allowed teams to have alternative uniforms they could wear several times throughout the season but restricted the number of helmets that could be worn. In June 2021, a second helmet was permitted, making way for the return of kelly green jerseys without having to settle for decals on helmets.
The Eagles took advantage of this policy change in 2022 by using black jerseys with black alternate helmets. However, Lurie is still pushing for two alternate helmets, which would enable them to keep a black helmet in addition to their kelly green alternate.
The Return of Classic Kelly Green Uniforms
Kelly green uniforms were worn by Eagles players for most of the franchise’s existence until they were replaced in 1996 by more modern midnight green uniforms. While some fans accepted the new change, a significant portion of the fanbase longed for the kelly greens with silver pants.
The Eagles briefly brought back the kelly green uniforms in 2010, but it was only for one game to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their 1960 NFL championship. Now, after 27 years, fans can finally see their beloved kelly green jerseys in action again. Although the exact date of when the Eagles will wear these uniforms is unknown, the team is expected to make a formal announcement after the release of the NFL schedule in May.
Overall, Eagles fans can hardly wait to see their favorite players donning the classic kelly green jerseys for the upcoming season.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
