Well, the Detroit Lions' new uniforms are here, but the arrival didn't have much luster thanks to a leak.
The Lions' new uniforms were originally scheduled to be released Thursday evening, but showed up online Thursday morning. The three Lions uniforms are Honolulu Blue, white, and a black alternate with blue lettering.
The Lions will have a couple of different pant options to use with their new jerseys.
The Lions introduced a black alternate uniform in 2005 and last wore it in 2007.
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The Lions were ready for a leak, however: Their social team posted a pre-recorded video minutes later with defensive tackle Alim McNeill.
While wearing the new Honolulu Blue and silver jersey, an exasperated McNeill said, "Whoever leaked the uniform video, we appreciate it. We appreciate you ruining all the hard work we put in. Video coming soon."
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The Lions then released a second video titled "Inside job?" of quarterback Jared Goff joking he had to take a picture of the black jersey to "leak them to Twitter."
Now, it's to-be-determined when the Lions officially reveal their new threads Thursday.
The Lions last updated their uniforms in 2017, when they removed black from the color scheme and introduced a steel gray "Color Rush" alternate. Team president Rod Wood said at the time a big reason the Lions went through a complete uniform redesign was to remove black from their uniform, but he insisted it wasn't about purging some of the final remnants from the Matt Millen era.
"It’s gone and I think we’re happy that it’s gone," Wood said in 2017 of removing black.
The new uniforms for 2024 include a Nike logo on the sleeve in place of the "WCF" patch worn on the Lions' uniform shoulder the past decade, memorializing former owner William Clay Ford, who died in 2014. Wood in March said they will honor Ford in a different way.
"We’re going to treat that in a little different way," Wood said. "I’m not going to tease exactly how it is but it’s going to be honored, but not in the same way it was on the current uniforms."
Ford's daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, took over as the principal owner from her mother, Martha, in 2020.
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FAQs
The short answer
George Richards — who owned the Detroit radio station WJR and bought the team in the spring of 1934 — chose that name Honolulu blue because it reminded him of the ocean water he saw on a trip to Hawai'i, according to an old Lions media guide. So began a new — and blue — era for the Detroit Lions.
What are the new uniforms for the Lions in 2024? ›
The Lions are going with a white jersey, a Honolulu blue jersey, and a new alternate jersey, which will be black. It is the first time they've worn black since 2007.
Why is Detroit Colors Honolulu Blue? ›
The Detroit Lions' team color is Honolulu Blue. This came about when the original owner George A. Richards vacationed in Hawaii and found a liking to the unique shade of the Pacific Ocean and color, thus coining this color to the team.
Why are the Lions colors blue and silver? ›
Richards asked him and his wife to pick the Lions' colors from combinations that included red and white, orange and black, and blue and silver. The Presnells liked blue and silver the best, so Richards selected it.
Is Honolulu Blue a real color? ›
In scientific color terms, Honolulu Blue is classified as a medium-dark shade of cyan blue. It falls in the spectrum between royal and light blues and navy and steel blues. On the uniforms, the blue shines in the light offset against the white and silver accents.
What is the C on Lions uniform? ›
The "C" patch
worn by the specific team). The number of gold stars on the patch represents the number of years that player has been named captain by a team. If he has been named captain for longer than four years, the "C" on the patch is gold.
What is the difference between the old and new Lions uniforms? ›
The main difference between those old black uniforms and the new ones is that the numbers are no longer outlined by thick white lining, but rather a less contrasting thin grey line. Also, obviously, the new black uniforms will match with black pants compared to the awkward contrast with grey pants in the past.
Did the Lions change their blue? ›
The Lions leadership team set out to reestablish Honolulu Blue by working with Nike to adopt a richer tone of the unique color that harkens back to an earlier era. True silver has also made its way back into the uniform, featured in various outlines and stripe elements, as well as in the team's traditional pant.
Are they changing the 3 Lions badge? ›
The crest will not replace the Three Lions on national team shirts but is set to represent 'England Football' – an initiative to draw a line between the grassroots and elite games in the country.
Why do the Lions uniforms say WCF? ›
For the Lions, the "WCF" on their jerseys stands for William Clay Ford, the grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford. He owned the Lions for more than 50 years before he passed away in 2014. Upon his death, Martha Firestone Ford took over the team.
That jersey worked in Detroit and was popular among the players when Campbell played for the Lions from 2006 through 2008. Detroit abandoned the black alternates in 2017 in favor of gray alternates, which are not part of the next uniform rotation.
What flavor is Honolulu Blue? ›
Crafted in tribute to our home team Detroit Lions, Honolulu Blue premium vodka canned co*cktail is Full of Pride and bursting with the fizzy flavor of blue raspberry lemonade.
Who invented Honolulu Blue? ›
According to the 1950 Lions Media Guide: The blue, a distinctive shade, was especially developed for G.A. Richards. […] their first owner came up with the color after admiring the hue of the Pacific Ocean on a trip to Hawaii and the shade was named 'Honolulu blue.
What does blue mean in Hawaii? ›
Polu is a general word for blue, the color of the ocean.
Why is the Detroit Lions logo blue? ›
Richards was looking into picking a new color and Honolulu Blue was in the mix because he reportedly had taken a trip to Hawaii and wanted a shade of blue to match the Pacific Ocean. “Mr. Richards, obviously wanting to create an identity unique to the Lions, came up with these color schemes,” Keenist said.
What color blue is the Lions uniform? ›
(WXYZ) — The Detroit Lions unveiled three new uniforms on Thursday night in front of season ticket holders at Ford Field and then to the public. Detroit will stick with Honolulu Blue home uniforms and white road uniforms, but also brought back a black alternate jersey, going away with the silver color rush uniforms.
What NFL team is in Honolulu Blue? ›
The Detroit Lions' official blue color is Honolulu Blue, which is a distinctive shade of blue that pays tribute to the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii.
