Michigan unveils 'legacy' road uniforms moments before kickoff at MSU
Michigan freshman linebacker Frank Clark flashes the inside of his gloves to reveal block Ms as the Wolverines take the field with unexpected 'legacy' uniforms.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
After warming up in their traditional road uniforms, the Wolverines took the field moments before kickoff in a white-over-white version of the "legacy" uniforms they wore against Notre Dame earlier this season.
The Michigan athletic department sent a press release about the switch at exactly noon, the time of the kickoff in East Lansing:
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Prior to kickoff of the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the University of Michigan football team unveiled a legacy uniform designed by apparel provider adidas."Our players really enjoyed the uniforms from the night game with Notre Dame so we decided to surprise them and the country with a new-look design for the Michigan State game," said head coach Brady Hoke. "This is such a great in-state rivalry that we decided to honor the former players that played in this game."
The legacy jersey is a compilation of design elements from different eras of Michigan football. It features player numbers on the front and back of the jersey with a block M above the heart and repeating striped sleeves. The shirts under the uniform have "Victors" on the left bicep and "Valiant" on the right bicep.
The white pants are a throwback to the 1974 and 1975 seasons when the program wore all white on the road. In addition, the Wolverines wore two-tone socks with blue on top (calf) and white on the bottom.
Player numbers continued to appear on the famous winged helmet that first appeared in the late 1960s. After wearing them on the helmets for the Notre Dame game, head coach Brady Hoke decided to continue the tradition before the start of the conference season to pay homage to the former players that represented the program in the past.
Michigan warmed up in its traditional road uniforms but returned for the start of the game in the new legacy uniforms.
Comments
EyeonAA
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
Dave Brandon harps a lot about Tradition. Looks like he's not above selling tradition for a buck. What's next? Blue pants or Maize Jerseys? Also, I'm pretty sure Michigan's all white pants in the 70's had a Maize and Blue Stripe running down the side.
MRunner73
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.
The alternate uniform look is getting more ridiculous. It is about the game, not the look. I hope the day comes soon that fans stop buying that junk because if it doesn't sell, they might not get swept into this fad. To Hawaiian Neal...The decision to have these alternate uniforms is more a Dave Brandon thing, not Bardy Hoke. Yes, Bo Schembechler would have stood his ground if he had the same circumstance. Even Bo could not prevent football games to start at 3:30 in his day compared to the traditional noon start. Aside from that, I agree with you and will not spend a dime on buying that junk. Better get used to some of the other changes.
Hawaiian Neal
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.
We looked like the wicked yellow and white witches of the east from Oz. I kept waiting for the flying monkeys. Actually, maybe they would have coached and prepared us better.
Hawaiian Neal
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
Tradition used to mean something at UM. Frankly, I am more embarrassed for UM this year than upset. I hope Mr. Hoke is through with playing dress-up with his players and will concentrate more on playing football. This was worse and sloppier than any defeat in the RR years. The offense was pathetic, the defense was pathetic and even the new uniforms (also pathetic) were responsible for 3 or 4 tackles in the backfield (watch the films, you'll see it). Seriously, you say what everyone apparently wants to hear about football and tradition at UM, but Bo, Mo, Lo, and Ro respected the uniform. In less than 1 season, we've changed uniforms twice and on top of that, followed (yes, FOLLOWED) something Sparty did. We (Michigan) have spent so much credibility on 'crap' that we are in danger of losing our identity now. I'm not calling for your or the AD's resignation yet, but if you two keep spending UM's traditions and credibility like drunken sailors with open ended credit cards, I will be....I will be. OK, ENOUGH PLAY DATE DRESS UP. Quit being your 'AD's "boy" and get a spine. We have a classic uniform, respect it (although you've made that a lot harder to do now). You both owe the school more than that. Also, (AD) replace the art deco Michigan Stadium sign on the press box and quit putting your personal mark on things that belong to the University of Michigan and history.....NOT YOU. Totally unacceptable performance on the field and off the field. We, yes, The University of Michigan, are slowly wandering down the path to mediocrity in this area. It is not who we are.
David Briegel
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 10:29 p.m.
Those uniforms were atrocious like our play calling! M was Mugged by Thug U!
Jimmy McNulty
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 11:32 a.m.
waaahh.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
I wonder what John T Molloy would say about those yellow shoulders with blue stripes sitting right below those blue helmets with yellow stripes?
D21
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
AD Brandon, Now, let's go back to the traditional uniforms forever. Congrats Michigan as you beat yourselves today. Am not disappointed but I know when I see that Denard couldn't do anything with the passing game notwithstanding the high winds today. State didn't do anything much except to play dirty at times. Hoke, remember this game and don't let it happen again.
Hawaiian Neal
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:32 p.m.
Brandon, get your head out of your butt! Put the Michigan Stadium sign BACK where it belongs, quit doing the 'cool' (tongue and cheek) thing and start doing the 'RIGHT' thing. Michigan is better than this. YOU ARE KILLING THE MICHIGAN BRAND and Hoke doesn't have he spine yet to tell you to quit it! Hoke, spine-up! How many times as an assistant did you see our head coaches change uniforms "to be cool". You're not SDSU any more, you represent Michigan!
Jaxon5
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Michigan played the way they're uniforms looked - not so great.
D21
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.
True!
Mtradition
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
Since when did the University of Michigan join the Canadian football league.Those Uniforms look terrible.Maize pants with our away shirts are classic and part of the tradition. Honor the former players by winning period.Why would we try to one up the Phil Knight inspired Spartans uni's whose whole purpose is not to do anything but sell Nike stock and Nike product. Brandon and Hoke need the embrace the tradition and get off this kind of gimmick crap. It is beneath us. That said Hurray for our team. They played with determination and class. Denard is the best man in College football...and maybe the best player...and Hurray for Coach Hoke and the staff. This is a small setback on the road back and WE WILL BE BACK..SOONER THAN THE REST OF THE BIG TEN WOULD LIKE. GO BLUE. Also proud of our men for not retailating to all the cheap shots.They showed poise and class.
EyeonAA
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
"Denard is the best man in College football...and maybe the best player..." I'm afaraid he's not so good against good defenses with size and speed.
Hawaiian Neal
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
Amen! Like I said below, Hoke and Brandon are spending our credibility like drunken sailors with an open-ended credit card.
D21
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
You and Jax just got my vote. Brandon, wake up and heed the Michigan Man doctrine!
Mick52
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Can we quit the hype and get back to the Michigan tradition?
7718
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
I don't think Dave Brandon knows what tradition is. The first night game...Bo hated night games and wanted ALL games to start at 1:00. Changing up the uniforms, talk of creating a mascot, etc. Etc. The tradition has left.
Jonny Spirit
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.
If the tradition is losing then yes, yes you can. LOL
Mary R. Gray
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
I wouldn't mind the "legacy" uniforms if they would just put the players' names on the back, like regular uniforms. I don't like not being able to see who is whom without having memorized all the numbers. I think the striped shoulders are distracting too. Just play the games in regular uniforms!
10dz
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 8:01 p.m.
Yes! we looked like clowns out there. Why would MICHIGAN try to match MSU and try to match them for ugliest uniforms ever! pitiful, just play the damn game.
Wally the Wolverine
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
There was no way we were going to let msu have the spotlight with their new pro combat unis. Yeah, I think the decision to break them out makes us look petty or insecure.
BlueGator
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
Given the way they played today, let's never wear these unis again. Ouch!!! Reality is harsh. Humble pie anyone?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
Personally I thought the State uniforms were nice. I thought our uniforms were pathetic.
garrisondyer
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.
Wasn't a huge fan of the choice to wear these, but still at least 1000 times better than the MSU video game uniforms. I'd prefer the regular away uniforms.