The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new uniforms have been welcomed with open arms by the players who will wear them.
The uniforms includes a two-tone helmet and are part of the Nike Elite 51 uniform program that was first debuted by the Seattle Seahawks last season.
Speaking of the Jaguars’ new uniforms, billionaire owner Shad Khan called them “a piece of art.” Speaking of his team and their period of rebuilding, Khan said of Nike’s new design: “We’re young, we’re contemporary and it looks to the future.”
Khan took over the Jaguars in January 2012 and quickly began changing the team’s image, starting with new locker room and training rooms. Khan also hired a new general manager and head coach. For a team in transition, the uniform change signals a rebirth of sorts.
The new Nike uniforms have four color combinations, which includes a redesigned font and claw marks on the shoulders. The uniforms also offer a “Jags” logo over the heart. The patch represents the city’s strong military presence.
With the Jaguars’ new uniforms in hand Khan was asked what comes next for the NFL franchise:
“Winning, winning,” Khan said. “That’s what’s left. That’s the most important part. … I absolutely think (these) are pieces, and it’s a commitment that you set the stage that we want to provide the best and then expect the best. The end result is having a franchise that is winning and a contender. That’s where we want to have it.”
This is the second time in four years that the Jags have received a new look; the last redesign was revealed in April 2009. During the last reveal, owner Wayne Weaver said the uniforms would offer a more permanent identity for the franchise. Khan disagreed and thought the team after a 22-42 recorded needed a change after four years.
Players appear to agree with the new look; guard Uche Nwaneri said of the Jaguars’ new uniforms:
“We all want to represent something. We represent the Jaguars; we represent that city of Jacksonville, and this uniform is our way of basically representing those people on Sundays. I feel like you have to look good when you have a uniform like that to represent your city.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars rolled out a new logo in February 2013.
