Welp. Here they are. The new Washington Commanders uniforms and the new Washington Commanders helmets. These new Washington Commanders uniforms got nothing but hate on the internet. Which is to be expected. That is what the internet does these days. Do I love Nike’s design concepts for the NFL? Not really. Are these uniforms perfect? Definitely not. But, are these awful uniforms that are automatically at the bottom of the league? No. Though, they are definitely in the bottom third of the NFL. I also believe there is a generational split occurring with the opinions of the new Commies uniforms.
New Washington Commanders Uniforms – The Home “Ketchup” Uniforms
Jersey
Let’s start with the home uniform. It is all burgundy top and bottom. My first thought is I hope they never go with this ketchup bottle uniform pairing. I feel like the Redskins/Football Team always lost when they broke out their ketchup uniforms. I hope that the Commanders pair the burgundy top with the white bottoms.
At any rate, let’s tackle the uniform as it was presented to us. Overall, I like the burgundy jersey the most of the three new jerseys. Of the three new uniforms, the burgundy tops are the ones that most remind me of the Redskins/Football Team. I like that the jersey is not too busy. The simple sleeve stripes with two gold stripes sandwiching a white stripe look good. This evokes the classic shoulder stripes of the Redskins/Football Team.
I hate the “Commanders” wordmark with the two bars above and below the wordmark. I understand that this is supposed to give the uniform a military look that also evokes the Washington DC flag. However, the less the Commies emphasize the word “Commanders” the better. I would rather have seen the word “Washington” in between the two yellow lines. “Washington” should remain the focus of the Commies’ branding going forward.
My other criticism would be the size of the wordmark. It is simply too big for an NFL jersey. This unusually large wordmark is more reminiscent of a college football jersey. Whenever the Commies’ tweak this jersey they should reduce the size of this wordmark. It would look much better.
I like the font for the jersey numbers. They continue the military theme and is fine. My main criticism would be that the font is too thin. The numbers should be a tad thicker. Having said that, I like the look of the gold numbers outlined with white. It looks sharp.
The Commanders crest on the back of the jersey above the nameplate is an interesting touch. Like I said before, despite getting the dates wrong for the championships, the Commanders crest is a solid design. I like that it is applied to the jersey.
Jersey Score: 6 out of 10
Pants
The pants are burgundy. That’s it. There are no stripes or designs on the pants. I like simple designs, but this is too simple. The problem with pants that have no stripes or designs is that they end up looking more like leggings or leotards than football pants. Some thin gold and white stripes like the sleeve stripes on the side of the pants would have been nice.
I am curious to see what color socks the Commies pair up with these pants. I desperately hope they go with white socks. Burgundy socks will make these ketchup uniforms even more unbearable to look at on TV.
Pants Score: 3 out of 10
Helmet
This is the best part of the ketchup uniforms and it is not even close. These new burgundy helmets are pure fire. I love them. The matte Burgundy is so hot. It looks incredible.
While I find the “W” logo itself to be generic. I do like that this is what the Commies put on the side of their helmet. It completes the military theme of this uniform’s design. It also emphasizes the “Washington” part of this new Washington Commanders rebrand.
I am not a fan of the Commanders’ wordmark on the front of the helmet above the face mask. I would have preferred that Washington left that blank. Or in the alternative, I would rather see “Washington” on the front bumper and have the back bumper of the helmet remain blank. Again, putting “Washington” on the front bumper would emphasize the Washington part of the new Commies’ rebrand.
The simple single gold stripe on the helmet and the gold jersey numbers on the back of the helmet are the perfect finishing touches. The single stripe brings an old-school look to the helmet. The jersey numbers on the back of the helmet are another old-school design cue. All in all, these two design features complete the classic vibe of the helmet’s design. This helps emphasize the Commies as one of the NFL’s original eight teams.
That leaves the face mask. I know this is a controversial opinion, but I prefer this helmet with a Burgundy facemask rather than a contrasting gold facemask. I know this is heresy. The iconic Redskins helmet rocked a gold facemask from 1978 to 2019. Before that, the Redskins paired a grey facemask with their burgundy helmets. The Washington Football team also sported gold facemasks on their burgundy helmets.
I love the classic looks and I love tradition and history. But, I just feel like this matte burgundy looks smoother and sleeker with the burgundy facemask.
Helmet Score: 10 out of 10
Overall Score: 6.3 out of 10
Nike’s Description
I love these ridiculous descriptions that designers give the uniforms that they create. They are all so silly and over-the-top. Let’s see the descriptions that Nike gave the ketchup uniforms.
Evidently, the ketchup uniforms tell the story of the history and legacy of one of the first NFL franchises. Yeah…..riiiiiight. This one is such garbage. There is literally nothing about the uniform design, logo, or name that even remotely tells the history and legacy of the Boston/Washington Redskins. Nice try.
Nike says this is a “fresh” perspective on a classic design. I mean, it still uses burgundy and gold. But, that is it. There are no other aspects of the Redskins’ classic design to be found anywhere in the ketchup uniforms.
The shoulder stripes are a tribute to the shoulder stripes on the Redskins’ jersey sleeves in the 1980s and 1990s. It is also an homage to the DC flag. It is also a tribute to the military concept of “earning one’s stripes.” Bwahahahahaha!!! Nike! Just stop while you are ahead. I think referencing the sleeve stripes from the Super Bowl champion Redskins teams is smart. The DC Flag tribute is stretching it a bit, but I will allow it. But, the last one? Stop. Just stop. That is pandering and nobody believes it.
Nike describes the jersey numbers in an “assertive” stencil font that alludes to stylized military fonts. I get the military vibe with the jersey numbers. I am not too sure the font is “assertive.” That is a bit of a stretch.
Nike points to the perforated diamond texture inside the numbers that is a bond to the diamond shape of DC’s district boundary. Okay, I did not notice this design detail in the photographs of the ketchup uniforms. I mean, okay? This is a minute detail, but whatever. I will allow it.
Also, notice that Nike avoids the word “Redskins” when talking about the “Super Bowl-winning team.” The team was the Redskins, Nike. The Redskins. It is okay. You can say it. That name is not being removed from the NFL record books or the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
New Washington Commanders Uniforms -The Away “FSU” Uniforms
Jersey
The FSU away jersey is easily my least favorite of the three new jerseys. Let’s address the shade of “burgundy” that is used on this uniform. Immediately, the entire internet ripped on this uniform for using a shade of red more like the Cardinals or the Falcons rather than the classic Redskins’ burgundy. Jason Wright has already gone on the record and said that the same color burgundy used in the home jersey was used in the away jersey. Yeah…I have a hard time believing this. This is a different color. Period.
The more I see these away jerseys the more wrong this color of the burgundy looks to me. It very well could be that outlining the burgundy numbers with black changes the shade of red to our eyes. It also could be the gradient effect on the burgundy numbers that also change the shade of red to our eyes. Either way, everyone sees this red on the away jersey as being different than our traditional burgundy color so the Commies need to redesign this away jersey ASAP to fix this issue.
My biggest criticism of the FSU away jersey is the use of gradient shading in the jersey numbers and the shoulder stripes. The gradient effect looks like hot garbage and completely ruins this jersey. Nike’s gradient effect that they used for the Los Angeles Rams and the Atlanta Falcons looks like crap. And it looks like crap here. Nike needs to stop with the gradient effect on their NFL uniforms.
Another common complaint with the FSU away jersey is that it introduces the color black and makes this jersey look completely different from the Redskins/Football Team DNA that has always been present in the away jersey. I agree. I hate the black strip on the shoulders of the away jersey. I also hate the black outline of the jersey numbers. In our eighty-three-year history, Washington has never used black as a team color. Burgundy, gold, and white. Take your pick of the three.
Jersey Score: 1 out of 10
Pants
I thought the burgundy pants were boring, so you can only imagine how boring I found these white pants. You cannot get more basic and unimaginative than these white pants. For fans who love old-school classic designs…well..here you go. This is as uncluttered of a design as you could get.
Again, like the burgundy pants, the white pants could benefit from some stripes on the side to match the shoulder stripes. Instead, we get nothing on these white pants and they end up looking like leotards or leggings. I am guessing the Commanders will pair this uniform up with some burgundy socks? Or, maybe they will pair it up with white socks and go for the icy white look that they rocked as the Redskins and as the Football Team.
Pants Score: 2 out of 10
Helmet
The FSU Away uniforms rock the matte burgundy helmet just like the ketchup uniforms. No need to rehash my take on these helmets.
Helmet Score: 10 out of 10
Overall Score: 4.3 out of 10
Nike’s Description
Nike starts off by telling us that the FSU away uniform tells the story of forward movement and speed. What. The. Fuck. This is easily one of the most hilarious descriptions I have seen in a new uniform rollout. Whatever, Nike. Why not just say that these uniforms tell the story of the graceful Pegasus flying through the sky?
Nike says the granting effect on the numbers is the first of its kind in the league. Welp, just because something is the first of its kind does not mean that it should have been done. Often it means it is just a bad idea. Like this one.
Nike says the “forward-moving” theme of the jersey is a tribute to a city “born of innovation” and pays tribute to the pioneering ideas of people like Charles L’Enfant and Benjamin Banneker that helped build DC. Bwahahahahaha!!!! Whaaaat??! This is the height of moronic design jargon in these new uniform releases. This jersey has nothing to do with anything in that description. Like not even in the slightest. Stop. Just stop, Nike.
Nike says the diamond fade print inside the jersey numbers is a tribute to the district boundary of DC. Just like in the ketchup jersey.
Nike says that the black outline of the jersey number and the black stripe on the sleeve paved the way for the black alternate jersey. Which is a true statement. We know that NFL rules require an alternate jersey to be a color that is also found in the primary home or away jersey.
New Washington Commanders Uniform – The “Wario” Alternates
Jersey
I am unsure which jersey I dislike more. The FSU away jersey or this new black alternate jersey. I am sure that those of you who are big fans of uniform design are familiar with Paul Lukas’ Uni Watch website. While I often do not agree with Lukas, I do enjoy his website. I believe it is Lucas who coined the term “Black For Black’s Sake” (BFBS) when referencing teams suddenly facing a black alternate uniform in their rotation despite black not being one of the team colors. This is one area where I have always agreed with Lucas. I have never liked a BFBS uniform. This new black alternate Commies’ uniform is no exception to my dislike of BFBS uniforms.
The Wario uniforms are chick full of stupid gimmicks and Easter eggs. Of course. Again, I do not like the use of the Commanders’ wordmark on the front left side of the jersey. I understand that this was done to mimic the nameplate on a soldier’s uniform. However, I would rather have seen the Commies put the word “Washington” in between the two yellow lines, instead. Again, better to emphasize “Washington” as the main focus of the Commies’ branding.
I will admit that I do like the gold jersey numbers outlined in burgundy. I like that the Wario jersey continues the military font from the ketchup home jersey. However, I do find that the font for the numbers are too thin.
The night camouflage design around the neckline is another example of if more is good then even more is even better. It makes the jersey look gaudy and makes the design look too busy. Rather than shoulder stripes, the jersey shoulders are done in night camouflage to match the neckline. Again, less is more is a maxim that the Commies did not follow when designing this tacky-looking jersey.
We also have the Washington DC flag on the right shoulder. We have the Commanders’ seal on the left shoulder. Because for the love of god there was not already enough crap going on with this hot mess of a design! We gotta shove even more gimmicks and easter eggs onto this jersey! Having said that I do like the use of the Washington DC state flag in that it continues the theme of emphasizing the Washington part of the re-theme over the Commanders part of the redesign.
The name design on the back of the jersey with the two bars over and under the name would be cool if this jersey was not already loaded down by so many design gimmicks. I understand that this is another homage to the Washington DC flag and continues to emphasize the Washington part of this new look. And I get that it also complements the overall military design of the black jersey. But, with all the other visual clutter on this jersey, this is just too much.
Overall, I think the black jersey needs to be burned with fire. This jersey is something that probably will not appeal to anyone older than 13. It is worth noting that the black jersey has been the favorite out of the three for most of the players who have been interviewed. That is no real surprise. The black jersey also seems to be the most popular with the younger fans. Again, no real surprise there, either.
Jersey Score: 3 out of 10
Pants
Unlike the burgundy pants and the white pants, we get striping down the middle of the black pants! Finally! Unfortunately, the stripe used is a night camouflage stripe to match the night camouflage on the shoulders and neckline of the black jersey. Because we did not already have enough going on with this black uniform. Having said that the stripe on the pants is vital in preventing these pants from looking like leotards. This shows how the white pants and burgundy pants desperately need stripes.
Pants Score: 4 out of 10
Helmet
This. This is why the black alternate uniforms are the Wario uniforms. Seriously, Washington has got to remove that stupid “W” on the front of the black Wario helmets. It is just too moronic. Jason Wright’s explanation was that they wanted the “W” on the front of the helmet so opposing players know they are getting tackled by Washington. What an idiotic statement.
First, in the current NFL where flags are immediately thrown for leading with the crown of the helmet Jason Wright’s explanation sounded tone-deaf. Second, Wright sounds like an old guy who is uncool. Maybe Washington needs some younger fans more familiar with video game culture and meme culture. Because the “W” on the front of the Wario helmets makes a cool helmet suddenly become a punchline to a joke that nobody at Commanders Park understands.
The rest of the Wario helmet is fantastic. Again, the black color is still stupid. But, remove the dumb “W” from the front and you are left with a gorgeous classic helmet with the jersey numbers on the sides. This is basically the beautiful old-school helmet that the franchise wore as the Washington Football team. I love it when any team wears an old school helment with just the jersey numbers on the sides.
The numbers are in gold with red lining. That is an excellent choice that makes the numbers jump off the black helmets. This also keeps the burgundy and gold color scheme alive on the black uniform which helps tie these new alternate uniforms to the core identity of the Washington franchise. I hate the use of “Commanders” on the front bumper. Again, the Commies should put “Washington” on the front bumper.
I dig the Washington DC flag on the back of the Wario helmets. I think that is enough dressing up for this helmet and makes the “W” on the front necessary and excessive. The last thing an NFL helmet should do is remind you of a NASCAR race car.
Helmet Score: 3 out of 10 (If the Commanders dumped the silly “W” logo on the front of the helmet and repainted it burgundy then I would increase my score to a 10 out of 10.)
Overall Score: 3.3 out of 10
EDIT – 10/1/2024: I just wanted to hop back into this section two years after the debut of these Wario uniforms. The Commies have worn their Wario uniforms three times in 2022 and twice in 2023. The Commies’ record in the Wario uniforms? 1-5. This has led me to rename the black uniforms from the Wario uniforms to the Unlucky black uniforms. So, now not only do these uniforms look terrible, but they are unlucky as well. Whenever I see the Unlucky black uniforms all I think about is losing.
Nike’s Description
Oh, this Nike description is sure to be fantastic.
Nike says that the “custom military-inspired diamond camouflage presents a sic own able DC narrative.” Oh, that line is just a gem. Just fantastic. I have to meet the people who get paid to come up with stuff like this. They have to be laughing at it, too. Right?
Nike says that the sleeve that has the team crest showcases “that we are a team of leaders.” Hahaha! Yes! When I see the team crest I immediately think that the message of the crest is that we are a team of leaders. Exactly. Bravo. Say no more.
Nike ends the description by saying “Stronger Together: When each team member works in unison, no man is left behind.” Of course. Is Nike just throwing random words onto the page at this point?
Overall
I know that many long-time Redskins fans hate these new Washington Commanders uniforms and helmets. I am right there with you. Plenty of Redskins fans wanted Washington to retain basically the same uniform and helmet that they had as the Washington Football Team. After all, the Football Team uniforms were identical to the Redskins uniforms minus the Redskins wordmark and the Redskins logo. That would have been the smartest route and made this tradition to an unpopular and stupid name like “Commanders” easier to swallow.
Having said that, I do know why the Commies did what they did with these three new uniforms. There is the fact that Washington has lost a huge percentage of their fanbase over Snyder’s ownership. Washington has also failed to attract new and younger fans during Snyder’s ownership. Aren’t most people in the DMV area under 30 Baltimore Ravens fans at this point? At any rate, do you know who likes a more modern look to the uniforms and also likes black alternate uniforms? Younger fans.
The fact is that the Commies must have realized that they have completely lost the older fans who will never root for the team once they decided to drop the name Redskins. The Commies also have realized that they have lost fans in their 20s-30s who grew up under Snyder’s regime and ended up rooting for other teams like the Baltimore Ravens. Dan Snyder has so horridly gutted the Washington fanbase that they are now in fan acquisition mode. To do that the Commies have to focus on a younger fanbase who have no connection to the Redskins and would be receptive to this new Commies branding.
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