My first thought when I read about the new uniform change was "Its been 17 years???"
Then I counted the Orange and we got to enjoy (or hate depending on your point of view) 21 seasons in Bucco Bruce with a few changes in there too (more on that later).
Reading message boards is a cross between "Appalling" from Paul Stewart of Bucs UK to "Bad Ass" from LynchMob0047. Truth is…it takes time to get used to a uniform change.
I will admit there is a part of me that respects teams like the Dallas Cowboys Kansas City Chiefs or Green Bay Packers. You can watch a video on NFL Films from the 60s and they are wearing the same uniform for the most part.
But at the same time it does energize a new wave of Bucs fans…fans who do NOT identify with the Bucs SuperBowl era but instead identify with the losing Bucs of the last 5 years.
We went through 14 years of losing to change uniforms- they only have to put up with five. Talk about the microwave generation! Well you got it now- The Bucs have changed uniforms: but we will have to wait until March 5th before seeing what the Uniforms will be.
The statement says there is a "drastic redesign" of the unfiorms….going with the darker pewter helmets does that mean we will see black encroach on the Bucs uniforms?
I would hope not. Black is not a color you want in Tampa Fl. Too hot..plus Ive never been a fan of all these NFL teams trying to add black to their uniform. The Raiders and Steelers have that down. Leave it alone.
I also hope Orange is not removed. That was the founding color of the Bucs. When the uniforms were changed in 1997 Pewter was the only color added. Orange and Red were always Bucs colors from the beginning.
It takes time to adjust to change though. I can promise you we will not lose your allegiance if you hate this…it will grow on you. As a die hard in 97 I thought about not following the team anymore. "These arent my Bucs…where is the orange?"
I didnt want a change. But after the first preseason game I was in.
The same thing will happen in 2014…a new era in Bucs football.
HISTORY OF BUCS UNIFORM CHANGES
1977- First change. Away tops featured Orange letters. 77 changed them to red with orange trim.
1991- Bucco Bruce grew in size slightly on the helmet
1992- Orange Pants were introduced with the customary white top. It was to be used as the all in all uniform unless a road team decided to wear their white tops at home then the Bucs reverted back to the old Orange Top white pants. (Note: Sam Wyche wanted Bucs to come out with Orange pants and Orange tops vs Detroit last game of 95..his last game. Leaders like Hardy Nickerson and Paul Gruber said No)
1997- Pewter is Born
2004- Newest design!
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