You can't beat a classic. The Seahawks know this all too well, spurning their new-fangled outfits for retro threads.
Seattle will don pieces that pay homage to its 1990s-era version of the franchise. It was a time of great upheaval for the team, which made the playoffs just one time in the decade. Still, the jerseys and lids that accompanied those ragtag rosters continue to swirl in the memories of those old enough to trek the concourses of the Kingdome.
Long considered one of the vanguard's of gridiron innovation, the Seahawks recent costumes have been coated with all sorts of futuristic vigor: Jagged stripes, screeching colors and plenty and plenty of chevrons have made the uniform one of the NFL's more aesthetically pleasing options.
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Going back in time can prove a valuable exercise, however. And although the 'Hawks weren't quite the juggernaut they have proven to be in the decades since, that iconic kit — accented with teal and seafoam green — has stood the test of time.
It’s the 90s. It’s now. It’s commemorative. It’s current. The Throwback uniforms are finally here.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 19, 2023
💻 https://t.co/r1W2WVDyDe pic.twitter.com/RLVBg1sm21
Here's what you need to know about Seattle's retro digs:
Seahawks throwback uniforms, explained
With the reversal of the NFL's one-helmet rule in 2021, Seahawks director of equipment Erik Kennedy and vice president Jeff Richards concocted a plan to revitalize Seattle's regalia. The team had long paired silver lids with a royal blue ensemble. And although the team didn't quite achieve much success in their flashy livery — Seattle made the playoffs just five times decked in watercolor attire — it had a certain zeal that left fans wanting more.
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Twenty years later, their wish has been granted. Green and blue bounce along the smooth nylon finish of the Seahawks' jersey and pants, a color scheme that pays homage to the Salish Sea and lively forests of the Pacific Northwest. The team will wear them in Weeks 8 and 13 against the Browns and Cowboys, respectively.
The Throwback uniforms are immaculate. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/qYgUoKmBzN
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 19, 2023
The devil's in the details, with the 'Hawks even stitching a commemorative patch paying tribute to their old colosseum. (For those who want to take a trip down memory lane, the Seahawks also have a dedicated site to illustrate the throwbacks, complete with dial tone and '90s-era internet aesthetic).
It was a challenging period of the field for the 12th Man. Off of it, though, things proved far more stable: Paul Allen took charge of the organization in 1997 and, within a few years' time, the makings of a championship franchise began to take shape.
Couple that with the nexus of culture that flooded Seattle's nightclubs (think Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Modest Mouse) and it's little surprise why Seattleites look back so fondly on the period.
From punk rock to platinum headgear, much of what Emerald City has become was shaped by the '90s. Reintegrating the shades affiliated with that timeframe should only serve to help younger fans touch base with a culture they only scarcely know.