Back to the College Football Uniforms
Penn State’s iconic navy and white uniforms don’t have as much meaning post-Jerry Sandusky, but one of college football’s most tradition-rich programs still takes pride in how it looks on Saturdays in the fall.
That’s why Joe Paterno’s replacement, head coach Bill O’Brien, stepped on thousands of toes in 2012 after he added names to the backs of jerseys for the first time in the program’s 125-year history. O’Brien later said it was vital that fans know the players that stuck with the program through tough times in the wake of Sandusky’s sexual harassment suit and heavy NCAA sanctions. The Nittany Lions also dropped white piping from the collar and sleeves and added a blue ribbon on the backs of helmets to support all victims of child abuse.
Most within the athletic department and on the football staff thought the drastic changes were a necessity following the stain left by the previous regime.
Looking back in 1987, Penn State moved to its current shade of blue – a rich navy – after spending two decades in white shells with a royal blue stripe. Plain white numerals on the home threads and navy numbers on the road whites contrasted well together. From 1968-74, the Nittany Lions even had player numerals on their helmets.
Paterno turned down a chance at an alternate helmet in the 1970s that featured a blue Nittany Lion graphic on a white shell. Perhaps Penn State’s new coaching staff that welcomes change will add some subtle changes to the gameday uniforms in the near future.
