The Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers mascot, pictured above, is nicknamed “Big Red.” Big Red is a red, furry blob created by then-student Ralph Carey in 1979. The plan was for the mascot to generate enthusiasm and serve as a counterpoint to the iconic red towels waved by fans in the stands. Big Red succeeded, and it is one of the most popular mascots in the college game today.
Big Red will get its day in the sun (so to speak), when the Tops take on UTEP next Thursday (October 10). The team has designed a uniform to give Big Red props, and the helmets the team will wear take this to the next level.
Behold:
To compliment the helmets, the team will wear red jerseys and pants. This will also mark the first time since 2006 the team will sport red lids.
Naturally, Big Red played a big role in showing off the new helmets and unis:
all on us next Thursday pic.twitter.com/F5Q4ZNRQzT
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) October 3, 2024
I mean, how great is this?
Here’s a look at the unis with the helmet.
Both jersey and pants are red, with sleeve stripes featuring a pattern of thick white/thin red/thin black/thin red/thick white. That pattern is repeated as a stripe running vertically down the pants legs. Numbers are white, with a black outline (which appears to be a block shadow):
It’s actually a pretty good looking uniform, but obviously, it pales in comparison to the helmet. It may not be the greatest helmet of all time, but it’s up there!
In a college football landscape where the prevailing trends are to wear as much white or as much black as possible, this is a welcome change.
This is not the first time WKU has worn a helmet that pays homage to Big Red. In 2022, the school put the full Big Red on a black helmet, and last season the team upped the ante by having several different Big Red decals on the helmets worn in the same game (against Liberty). Earlier this season, the team also wore helmets with a full Big Red decal, only these were on a white shell, and all the decals were the same. Those were worn against Toledo.
But the helmets the team will wear next Thursday against UTEP will be the first time the team wears a lid that is specifically designed to look like the eyebrows and “googly” eyes of the mascot.
I love these. I’m *almost* wondering how it would look if the team were to have put the eyes on the front of the helmet, rather than the sides, to create an even more realistic representation of Big Red. That might be a tad much (and you know what they say: “be careful what you wish for”).
Anyway, what to you guys think? Best (or close to it) helmet ever, or just another “gimmick”?
The floor is yours…
Great helmets, but not the greatest. That honor belongs to the the helmets WKU wore LAST YEAR with different Big Red decals for each position group.
they just wore those vs Toledo a couple weeks ago!
I love it, but not as much as the helmets they had last year showing Big Red playing the position of each player wearing the helmet.
I couldn’t quite tell from the stands, but I’m pretty sure they just wore those a couple weeks ago against Toledo. Which was one of the most exciting games i’ve ever been to, by the way.
(chef’s kiss)
Googly eyes. Block numbers with drop shadow. Beautiful sleeve stripes.
These unis are almost all that I want.
Fun and creative…definitely one to consider in the upper echelon of helmetdom.
I. LOVE. THIS.
I don’t think Phil is too far off with that greatest helmet of all time line in his title. I can’t take my eyes off this helmet; I may use it as a screen saver! Fabulous.
I think the decals being on the side of the helmet work better than they would on the front because the hear hole almost works perfectly as the mouth.
I was thinking the same thing, especially when Big Red twisted his head in the video so his mouth made a smirky look — kinda what the diagonal ear hole does with the big eyes.
amazing! such a nice departure from all the “angry” animals used as logos everywhere
Yes! This was exactly my reaction.
I absolutely LOVE this!
Ok, so I’ll suspend my hatred of mono color (non-white) uniforms for this. For one, they have stripes, which makes it better, but the whole idea is outrageously awesome with that helmet logo. WKY has to have one of the weirdest mascots, ever, and I am here for that thing. Sort of a red Grimace if you will. Having the eyeballs on the football is a nice touch. Love the prior nose bumper with the eyes and all the full body logos they used on the helmets before too.
Hah, that’s pretty good!
Reminds me of the Lake Elsinore Storm minor league baseball team. I have no connection to that team, but I’ve always been tempted to get one of those hats, just because.
link
I actually have two of those caps; one in red and one in black.
I think this is a fun idea and it definitely gets people talking about WKU this weekend. All eyes on me…
I don’t know about best helmet, but it’s definitely the best hype video ever.
Inspired. Two thoughts:
-I’d be okay with no sleeve or pants stripes, as Big Red doesn’t have them;
-I want actual googly eyes that move.
That helmet is great!!!!!!!!!!!! That would have been great with a black jersey and red pants instead of the mono-crap.
This is monochrome with a purpose. Look at Big Red. Is he wearing a black shirt? No. I normally don’t like monochrome either but this one makes sense.
And I vote 100% for eyes up front! Go big!
I cannot stop smiling at this. The video, the mascot, the helmets. Go Tops!
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but…it would look better with red socks.
I actually was thinking the same thing as Phil! the Eyes should be on the front, and then put the big WKU logo on the front somehow. The uniform looks good now, but It could be even more kitsch if they just went full hog. Maybe not better aesthetically, but certainly goofier and more fun.
So proud of my school
Awesome helmet. Stripes, stripes and more stripes, plus TV numbers!
I’ll simply say, you cannot wear this and lose a game. The jokes will write themselves.
Awesome look. Love the creativity on this one. It actually speaks of the university and its mascot.