The Detroit Lions released new uniforms on Thursday, including black alternates. It turns out head coach Dan Campbell specifically requested those black jerseys. And what Campbell wants, he gets.
Detroit team president Rod Wood told reporters Thursday night at the Lions new jersey launch, that Campbell lobbied for the black jerseys to be brought back. The former tight end wore them when he played for the team from 2006-2008.
“So, we’re in the draft room, literally months into his tenure — and he wore the black when he was here — and we’re in the draft room, and he said, ‘Rod, when can we get the black jerseys back?'” Wood told reporters, via Jeanna Trotman of WXYZ. “I said, ‘I’ll make a deal, when you win the division I’ll bring the black jerseys back.’ So I went out on a limb, and thankfully, he delivered. That’s a true story.”
The Lions won their first division title in 30 years last season, ruling the NFC North with a 12-5 record, so Campbell got his wish.
“He loved them,” Wood said of the black unis. “When he was here, he wore them, and I think it was kind of the team’s favourite at the time, and he just pinned for it again. For him, it’s a throwback because it’s when he was a player. I think they’ve dressed up even better than when he was here…It’s a better look than the silver pants we wore at the time.”
Among Lions supporters, the black fits can be met with mixed feelings. For some, they are a reminder of a dismal time in franchise history during the early 2000s when the club was historically bad, including the 0-16 2008 team.
“There is a little history there, I’m well aware of it,” Wood admitted. “But we’re a new team, new leadership, new players, and I think the past is the past.”
Detroit’s future looks promising under Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes. Now Campbell must turn the significance of the black jersey from negative to positive.
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