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Lions to unveil new uniforms at Ford Field
Detroit Lions Press Release
April 22, 2003
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions will hold a 2 p.m. EDT press conference Wednesday, April 23 at Ford Field to introduce the team’s new uniforms. The Lions’ uniform unveiling will feature President and CEO Matt Millen, fullback Cory Schlesinger and defensive end Kalimba Edwards.
“In considering changing our uniforms, our goal was to maintain the integrity and tradition of the Lions colors and logo, while adding a invigorating look to the team’s traditional apparel,” said Lions Owner and Chairman William Clay Ford. “We accomplished both of those goals and the resulting look is spectacular.”
The Detroit Lions Honolulu blue and silver colors and Leaping Lion logo are constants in NFL tradition. The Honolulu blue and silver became the team’s official colors when the team moved from Portsmouth, Ohio to Detroit in 1934. The new uniform change represents the most significant modification since the team placed the Leaping Lion logo on its silver helmets beginning in 1961. Both the home and road uniform will change this season.
On the new uniforms, black trim stands out as the prominent feature added to the Leaping Lion logo, helmet, numbers, jersey sleeves and pants. The team will complement the addition of black to the uniforms by using black facemasks and wearing black shoes.
Several minor modifications have been made over the years, such as blue pants worn during 1998 road games and white trim added to the Leaping Lion logo on the helmet in 1970. The black facemask represents the first alteration to the facial guard since the Lions switched from grey to blue facemasks in 1983.
Recently, the Lions have utilized “throwbacks” that represented the team’s uniform in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The “throwbacks” were first worn in 1994 celebrating the NFL’s 75th anniversary. They were worn again by the Lions during the past two Thanksgiving Day games promoting the NFL’s Thanksgiving Classics merchandise line. The “throwback” uniforms consist of silver helmets (no logos or stripes), blue jerseys with silver numbers (no trim), solid silver pants, solid blue socks and black shoes.
Roar & More Exclusive Merchandise Sales
New Lions’ jerseys will be on sale exclusively at ROAR & MORE, the team’s official merchandise store located inside Ford Field, immediately following the press conference, and will be available throughout weekend of the NFL Draft (April 26-27). Fans attending Saturday’s NFL Draft Day Experience at Ford Field (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) will have the opportunity to be among the first to purchase the new Lions’ jerseys.
