A Credible Theory about the Vikings Throwback Uniforms
The Minnesota Vikings never get too freaky or change-oriented regarding uniforms.
Let’s just get that out in the open.
A Credible Theory about the Vikings Throwback Uniforms
But 2023 may be a different story, as chirps all offseason have indicated the Vikings will unveil throwback uniforms for the first time in forever. And according to two sources, Minnesota plans to don alternate, throwback threads right out of the gate in 2023 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The style? Probably from the 1960s and perhaps 1969, in particular. The Vikings never really change their helmets, so the uniform tweak would pertain to the jersey, pants, and maybe facemasks.
As far as VikingsTerritory can deduce, this tweet from Eli Corbett is the closest thing to a credible theory about the Vikings throwbacks this offseason:
Now, for non-Vikings fans, this uniform will inspire the Spider-man meme — the outfits don’t really look different to the untrained eye. The helmets appear unchanged, aside from gray facemasking. The logo — the horns — of course, are untouched.
But the jersey pattern, number-lettering, and style are indeed a clock turnback to 50+ years ago.
Here’s a look at some men from the 1969 team:
The Vikings are among the few NFL teams that seldom change anything with logos or uniforms. The club fired up a ‘white out’ event against the New York Giants last December, where players wore all-white, and fans were asked to follow suit. And they mostly obliged, creating a bewitching effect at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Next to color-rush uniforms, which are now called Primetime Purple, these throwbacks to the 1960s would mark the most significant tweak to Minnesota’s attire in years. And for context, the Vikings are expected to wear the throwbacks for a single game.
One Twitter user commented on the Corbett post, “If this is how they look, then they ought to be our permanent uniforms!”
Eric Krupka replied, “Those should be full time uniforms.”
Twitter user @dkVerdoorn mentioned, “I’m diggin them! I’ll buy myself a JJ jersey if that’s the design!”
The responses to Corbett’s design — his theory — were universally positive, with a large portion of Vikings fans claiming the team should simply make his edit permanent.
Minnesota wore ‘Purple People Eater’ uniforms as alternates from 2007 to 2011 but unceremoniously stopped about a decade ago. Official news of the Vikings throwback plan should hit within the next few weeks. It’s a safe bet that the iteration will throw it back to the 1960s.
Training camp kicks off Sunday.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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