vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Sound and fury: Vikings new uniforms look pretty much the same
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Vikings Updated: April 3, 2012 - 3:25 PM
Give the NFL and Nike credit. No one has mastered marketing and hype quite like the protectors of "The Shield" and "The Swoosh." And so it came to pass Tuesday, that at a grand unveiling ceremony in New York City, the NFL and Nike lifted the curtain on their new 2012 uniforms.
So much excitement. So much anticipation.
I even received an invitation to the event late last month, with Nike trying to get as much media to attend the event as possible. The shoe company even offered to provide travel and accommodations if needed.
You could almost feel the hype sucking us toward the Big Apple. The NFL universe had another grand story. And yet on Tuesday when the Vikings’ new wardrobe was unveiled, a head-on view shown in this Tweet, it was hard to see much difference at all in the unis. (And no, the Star Tribune was not present for the big show.)
For those into the minute details of fashion, here (via the Nike website) is a full Vikings uni photo gallery which will show you all the little style particulars that you’ll never notice when watching games on Sunday this fall.
Purple cleats? You don’t say. A stripe change on the pants? Whoa!
Here now is Nike’s descriptions of the key features of these new Elite 51 uniforms.
- LIGHTER - The Nike jersey and pant, wet or dry are lighter than previous versions
- FLYWIRE TECHNOLOGY - Eliminates layers, reduces weight, and provides lockdown fit
- ZONED MESH VENTILATION – Provides cooling zones for optimal thermoregulation
- ZONED STRENGTH - High tenacity, stretch material, for lightweight lockdown strength.
- CUT FOR MOBILITY – Four-way stretch, hydrophobic materials enable range of motion wet or dry.
- STRETCH TWILL NUMBERS – Four-way stretch even on numbering system
- CUSTOMIZABLE BASELAYER PADDING – Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong baselayer with integrated lightweight, Deflex padding offering customizable flexible protection.
- DEFLEX PADDING - Lightweight, flexible impact protection integrated into top “hit zone” areas
- ALUMINUM D-RING BELT - Aircraft-grade aluminum D-ring belt reduces weight.
Yep, the NFL knows how to stay in the center of the sports conversation all right. And Nike is bound to make a killing in sales on team merchandise going forward. It's just hard to say whether the grand show put on Tuesday had much substance.
If you'd like to see the "new" looks of all 32 teams, NFL.com provides a glimpse here.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Vikings sign three draft picks; Chuck Muncie dies; Urlacher "rumored" to Vikings ...
- Access Vikings blog: ESPN's Bayless, Smith debate whether Ponder was as responsible for playoff run as Peterson (really)
- Bar to be higher for Ponder, lower for Peterson in 2013
- Dayton, PTI hosts question Vikings over Kluwe cut
- Vikings sign Mankato receiver Adam Thielen, tackle Brandon Keith
- Vikings make it official: Punter Chris Kluwe has been cut
- Vikings searching for best development plan for Cordarrelle Patterson
- Rookie Locke could have punter's job locked up by Monday
- Erin Henderson stepping into new role with 'more lead in my pencil'
- Ponder talks: Cassel, Harvin and a scary visit to the emergency room
- Vikings announce signings of 16 undrafted free agents
- Vikings sign defensive end Jackson, cornerback Lacey
- Craig blog: Vikings to give Cris Carter's son, Duron, a tryout
- Spielman summarizes six Saturday selections
- Spielman: Drafting punter `has nothing to do with Chris Kluwe off the field'
- Vikings use back-to-back 7th-round picks on linebacker, guard
Post By Category
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters