The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t the only NFC South team unveiling new uniforms this month, as the Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday evening they’ll follow suit on April 14.
“It’s the first time in 17 years that we’re changing them, which is remarkable to me because I didn’t realize it was quite that long,” owner and CEO Arthur Blank said in an interview with team reporter Matthew Tabeek. “I think it is a look that fans will feel, experience, see and hopefully wear and is one that’s more in keeping with a contemporary look and feel that our fans are looking for. A little more flair.”
Atlanta’s last significant uniform update came ahead of the 2003 season, when the Falcons introduced a new logo and all-black uniforms that featured a unique sleeve design and piping down the side of the jersey and pants. That look has remained intact in the seasons since, though team promoted its red alternate jersey with white pants to the primary set just one year later.
Atlanta has been working closely with the NFL, Nike and Falcons players to create the new look, which may have also leaked in the replies to the tweet announcing the unveiling date. The photos appear to be from the dressing room of an official team photoshoot, and included three new uniforms (black, red and white), as well as the Falcons’ 1966 throwback jersey.
The number font on the potential leaks pull inspiration from the updated wordmark that was at the top of the letter Blank sent to season ticket holders in January announcing the looming changes and includes a contrasting side shadow.
Every jersey features a new side panel design, but the red jersey is the most notable because the body features a red-to-black gradient effect that transitions into black pants, reminiscent of the uniforms the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks wore from 1995-99 and Texas Tech’s 2014 alternate football uniform.
A matte black helmet sitting on the table in the studio, meanwhile, shows an oversized logo on the side and a gray facemask — something Atlanta hasn’t worn since the 1983 season, when the team still donned red helmets.
“I think the level combinations is one of the things that struck me about the tops and bottoms, the way they could be combined and put together provides a lot of options,” Blank said in the aforementioned interview. “The players had a lot of input in the uniforms. You know, they have to wear them. Beyond that, they’re young and they’re hip and they get it. They want to wear something that looks good on them. I think the uniforms will good on them and even better on our fans.”
Photos via the Atlanta Falcons and multiple Twitter users.