DETROIT — The Detroit Lions just completed their most successful season in a generation, creating memories for fans young and old. The city is set to host the 2024 NFL Draft next week, which is expected to showcase all things Lions and Detroit during the three-day event. It’s the kind of common momentum that doesn’t happen often.
So, what better time than now to continue having good times? That’s exactly what the Lions did Thursday night, unveiling a trio of new uniforms ahead of the 2024 season.
“We are excited to launch a new era of Lions football,” Lions President and CEO Rod Wood said in a press release. “Honolulu Blue and Silver has defined the Detroit Lions for generations and I’m proud that we’ve found a way to continue to evolve the look with a nod to the past and a focus on the future.”
GO FURTHER
The Lions are ready to make a move – up or down – to enter their guys in the NFL draft
The new uniforms were years in the making. NFL teams are allowed to reinvent their uniforms every five years. The Lions have taken advantage, as they enter what they hope will be a long period of success.
Detroit’s leadership team met with Nike with a few goals in mind. They wanted to reestablish Honolulu Blue, with a richer tone reminiscent of an earlier era. They’ve put the emphasis on silver – not gray – with the current iteration, and it’s featured in detail like outlines on the numbers, stripes on the sleeves and pants. Overall, the Lions’ updated uniforms are an ode to the ’90s, while adding their own modern touches, including the reintroduction of black jerseys.
More courage. More attitude. More dynamism. pic.twitter.com/hreCyzZMoK
– Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 18, 2024
On Thursday, a crowd of more than 5,000 people were on hand at Ford Field for a first look at the new uniforms. The festivities began with a speech from Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp, who thanked fans for their support during the 2023 season and postseason. Next, coach Dan Campbell, a strong supporter of the new alternate uniforms, followed by Wood and several players past and present, with videos to accompany each uniform reveal.
Here are some details from the uniform unveiling, as described by the Lions on their website and in a press release.
“One Pride”: the house uniforms
The Lions home jersey features a redefined Honolulu Blue with a classic white number font surrounded by silver borders and reimagined shoulder stripes. “ONE PRIDE” is emblazoned on the inside collar of the jersey, in recognition of the team’s passionate fans who fill Ford Field for every home game.
Second-year tight end and All-Pro Sam LaPorta was the player representative sporting the new look, with Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders joining him on stage.
Free daily NFL updates delivered straight to your inbox. Register
Free daily NFL updates delivered straight to your inbox. Register
Buy
“The 313”: Road uniforms
The Detroit road jersey comes in classic white with blue numbers surrounded by silver outlines and shoulder stripes in blue and silver. The interior collar of the white jersey is trimmed in Honolulu blue, not only as a nod to the Lions’ style of play, but also as a tribute to the work ethic that has made Detroit an iconic American city. The back of the collar features the “313” wordmark and for the first time in team history, the Lions will wear “DETROIT” across the chest on the road. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill wore the white uniform in his number 54, joined on stage by a legend who shared former linebacker Chris Spielman’s number.
Both primary uniforms feature the three classic team colors. The jerseys also feature a patch under the inside back collar that honors William Clay Ford, the team’s longtime owner who secured the team’s future in the Motor City. Inspired by classic Ford styling, the patch mimics a custom suit tag and uses the WCF logo with iconic stripes above his written signature. The two primary jerseys can be paired with either a silver pant option featuring blue and white stripes down the leg, or three no-frills pant options – silver, blue or white.
“Motor City Muscle”: Black Alternates
The black jersey features classic blue numbers wrapped in a silver outline on a black background and blue and silver stripes on the sleeves. The “LIONS” wordmark will be placed on the chest and “MOTOR CITY” is emblazoned on a blue border within the back color. The black jersey can be paired with all-black pants or the team’s blue pants. Safety Kerby Joseph donned the new black alternates, joined on stage by Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
During the event, Wood revealed that Campbell himself asked about the black uniforms three years ago, before his first draft in Detroit. Campbell had the chance to wear the Lions’ old black uniforms as a player. He asked Wood when the Lions would bring them back. Wood’s response?
“When you win the division title,” he told Campbell.
Do.
Motor City Muscle
– Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 18, 2024
“The classic”: retro uniforms
Finally, the Lions wardrobe will continue to feature a classic uniform, a nod to the late 1950s teams that dominated the early days of professional football. The redefined blue is the only change the team has made to the classic uniform, which will still feature classic silver numbers with no outline. The jersey will be combined with silver non-striped pants and blue socks.
In addition to the uniforms, the Lions also made changes to their helmets. The NFL has offered teams unveiling new uniforms this offseason a chance to add a third helmet, but Wood said the Lions have already chosen not to do that with many changes in the works. However, they will review it in the future.
(Kerby Joseph photo: Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)