The New York Giants announced on Thursday morning they will celebrate their 100th season by wearing “Century Red” throwback uniforms in up to two games this fall.
The uniforms mostly honour the 1933 Giants, who were led by Hall of Fame coach Steve Owen and players Mel Hein and Red Badgro and appeared in the first-ever NFL Championship Game, where they fell to the Chicago Bears, 23-21.
Their look below the shoulders was almost identical to what New York unveiled on Thursday. It included a red jersey with white numbers contained within a horizontal blue stripe that goes across the chest and around the back.
The jerseys, which also feature a blue collar and shoulder yoke that ends at the sleeves, were originally paired with a blue leather helmet with red stripes, but they’ll now be worn with a winged helmet more reminiscent of their 1937-47 design.
The uniforms include solid tan pants and predominantly red socks with the same striping pattern as the jerseys, as well as New York’s new 100th anniversary logo on the left shoulder.
“I feel like it’s gritty and vintage,” linebacker Bobby Okereke said. “It’s a throwback to the 1920s, 1930s when they were out there just getting grimy. It’s a testament to all the guys who played before. They paved the way for us to play this great game.”
It’s unclear if the “Century Red” throwback uniforms will replace the Giants’ 1980-99 throwback or Color Rush uniforms in the rotation, though one must be scrapped since the NFL only allows teams to have four jerseys at their disposal each season.
They can also only have two helmet shells until 2025, so that likely means the 1980-99 throwback set and matching navy blue helmet will be shelved for the time being. If the case, they’ll continue to swap decals on their standard blue lids for the Color Rush set.
