NFLIdea's Theory #2:
Where do we apply the term "Modern Throwbacks"?
As of the day I begin writing this article, I thought of a classic video game that received a modern installment that stays true to what made (those) video games so beloved. Nike tries something new with many teams' redesigns, including the Rams "Modern Throwbacks". It is a white jersey that follows the fatally flawed conventions of its jersey companions. It does, however, do what it was intended to do; adapt a classic design in modern form. The sleeve design features blue horns on a sol background, specifically resembling the "Greatest Show on Turf" uniforms that won the Rams their first Super Bowl. It was much needed because the dishwater uniform is a disgusting sight in nearly every aspect, and the brand is lacking in history loyalty.
That said is it really a "Modern Throwback" or just a white jersey that serves as an alternate? Somebody got frustrated with its usage either because it may sound ridiculous or it's not entirely accurate. I'm here to tell you about where I think the "Modern Throwback" label should be placed. We also have to ask ourselves, "What is the meaning of a Modern Throwback?"
The Rams "Modern Throwback"... or white alternate jersey?
Let's get the Rams out of the way since they are the first and only example to truly go off of. The first step is comparing and contrasting the design above with the the design it's based off of: their classic uniforms. The direct inspiration was the uniform they wore in their Super Bowl XXXIV win over the then recently rebranded Tennessee Titans. You can take a look at the reference image below:
Both uniforms are vastly different specifically because Nike stuffed in so many small details that make it stand out (not in a particularly good way either). The horn is the biggest difference. The classic horn was solid with a great curl, the modern horn has no curl and a break near the top. I won't go into which one I prefer (because it's obvious), but the layout is the only thing similar between the two. Both implement a design based on the horn on the sleeves, then it's just the numbers (with a difference being the dreaded patches and tags). Is it a "Modern Throwback"?
What do I think? It is not a "Modern Throwback". We haven't answered the question of what the term means, but I think it leans too heavily in the modern direction. It is the white jersey of the Rams current look. It corresponds heavily with the blue jersey (which is why it should be primary instead of the bone), but we don't call the blue jersey by that term, do we? It's just that simple. Was there any point in it being labeled as such? No. We simply needed a white jersey. It's very nice that they finally legitimately looked at the past for inspiration but having the blue jersey's sleeve design pasted on the white jersey and inversing the colors is not enough to have that label. Would the removal of the helmet rule help? If we're trying to accomplish a middle ground then yes, it would. The horn is still the most important feature of the design so of course that would serve as the modern part along with the sleeve design. However, what should be done is remove the patches and tags, darken the blue and add TV numbers to the sleeves, possibly even removing the number shine as well. I think that'd be fair to label it as such at that point. There's still no need to, however. It's obvious that the Rams fan base is divided on classic vs modern. It's definitely inspired by that specifically uniform, but it's still part of the modern mess we all know and it's best suited that way because it really, really helps the lineup a lot. Besides, I at least like the Rams Royal.
Now let's look at some good- I'm sorry - great designs! Both of these teams have had bad redesigns last decade. The Buccaneers went with digital clock numbers and an excessively large helmet logo, while the Browns went with orange stitching, large stripes, and excessively large wordmarks; on not just the chest, but also the pants. Yeah, who knows what they were on... That's not the point. The point is they decided to renew the threads they had before. Both were positively received. Why? Because they went back to a look we loved and made it slightly newer. However, are these "Modern Throwbacks"? No, quite simply because they're the real deal. They are the actual primaries for each team. They aren't throwbacks anymore! They never were. However, let's look at them as if they were used with their predecessors while being listed as "throwbacks". I'll give you a minute to use your imagination.
Done? Okay. Would these be "Modern Throwbacks" in that scenario? ...That's a tough question. Standard throwbacks usually get adapted with minimal to no changes not including adding the swoosh or the NFL shield on the collar for some. Both of these have some changes. For the Buccaneers, I would probably say no. Not including the logos, only the nameplate was recolored from red to black. The redesign does use the current logos though, yet they are slightly recolored from the ones used with the alarm clock uniforms. However, what's more important is that the 1997-2013 logos are NOT used. In my opinion, throwbacks have to be completely authentic. Every bit of design has to be faithfully adapted from a previous design, no matter how many different jerseys one can take from. Things can get a bit tricky, however. I took a look at some throwbacks from 1994 for the league's 75th anniversary. There were some unusual sightings there. The one that sticks out to me is how the Bears adapt their late 1920's blue jersey with vertical orange stripes. While the original version featured one of a few traditional block fonts, the 1994 adaptation used their current number style. That's where you kind of have to write "VOID". So, it doesn't have to be entirely accurate... there's one more box to check. How long does a team have to have moved on to a previous look to be a throwback? It could be 20 years, and it is for most. Hold on, the Rams are a prime example of a team that has throwbacks. The 70s-90s uniform was considered a throwback when the team brought it back only 10 years after its retirement to transition into a redesign. If that's the case then neither the Browns nor Bucs uniform can even qualify as throwbacks, let alone "Modern Throwbacks". The Bucs went only six seasons from their predecessors, the Browns went five. Not to mention the Browns made light changes to what they used before, and I mean new changes, not limiting it to simply bringing back the striped socks either.
Are we in complete agreement that neither the Browns nor Buccaneers have what are considered "Modern Throwbacks"? I've raised my hand already. We've already established in our minds in can't be just throwbacks because they didn't, as they say, "modernize" them. Does such a thing exist? Is it really a bad title that means nothing after all? I have one more idea... take a look at this link: https://twitter.com/DubyaGFX/status/1516939217141735426?s=20&t=a5mx8ej4PrIL9XQX_tpBgg
@DubyaGFX and @thekylecyr on Twitter recently did a project that mixes designs from each NFC West teams' major designs. For example, he essentially did a hybrid of two Seahawks looks. The 1983-2001 design and the current one. The royal blue of the former and the action green of the latter are used for the color scheme. The former's sleeve striping is implemented while the helmet is silver with blue facemasks, matching the helmet from that era as well. The current logo was even recolored based on that helmet's logo. Silver pants are used as well. However, the current numbers and pants stripe pattern is used. While the wordmark is the current one, it is set up the way it was for its 2002-2011 incarnation with the collar stripe matching that same era, though it does almost entirely match the previous one. Is it a "Modern Throwback"? So, it directly adapts designs used by previous looks, but uses some from the current one. Even a couple of 2002 designs were used. It's primarily based off of a classic design retired more than 10 years, and there's enough to make it different. It uses different ideas, but the presentation adapts a beloved classic. I'd say that there is such a direction that can be labelled as a "Modern Throwback"! I won't go and say that this is one (that's up to the artist), but I think it totally serves the purpose of what we think a "Modern Throwback" is supposed to represent. We do have an answer!
There you have it! That concludes this theory. We've established that the Rams white jerseys have too much dedicated in one direction to be labelled as such, and the Bucs and Browns don't have enough changes or down time to even be considered as such. However, a fan project has created something that can work as one. "Modern Throwbacks" can be a thing after all. New ideas, new presentation, embraces exactly what makes a look beloved.
Thank you so much for reading this, I hope you leave a comment or reply to the release tweet on Twitter giving me your thoughts and opinions. Do you think I'm right? Wrong? Right idea? I'd love to hear it. Stay tuned for the next one...
