As you’re no doubt aware, back in June the Baltimore Ravens introduced a new purple helmet, which they will don for the first time tomorrow night, on Thursday Night Football. It should be a somewhat colorful matchup, as their oppenents — the Cincinnati Bengals — will be wearing orange/white/black/white.
Cincinnati actually created a very cool “poster” for the game, showing a bengal tiger about to devour a purple raven.
Of course, actual ravens aren’t that color (they’re mostly black), but some species do have shades of purple throughout.
Not only will this game mark the debut of the new helmet, it’s also the first time ever the Ravens will wear an all-purple uniform. The team specifically created the new purple helmet to pair with their alternate purple color rush uniform.
PURPLE RISES 😈@DafeOweh | @Invisalign pic.twitter.com/Kallzbms1z
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 5, 2024
The Ravens have also asked their fans to wear purple for the game (a move that was once reserved for college games, but which several NFL teams have recently begun as well). It will be interesting to see how many fans will play along, and if the stadium will be awash in purple.
In addition to calling for the “purple out,” the team will have special end zones featuring the purple/gold of the uniforms, and the secondary logo which will be worn on the purple helmets.
To recap, the helmet itself is painted with a purple matte finish, and features a gold facemask. The front bumper reads “RAVENS” in raised black and gold lettering. Two gold helmet stripes taper to a point from front to back (which is the same striping pattern as is on their current black helmet).
The helmet has a new logo — which is currently their secondary logo. The front-facing bird will be on both sides of the helmet.
Previously, the Ravens paired their black helmets with their CR uniforms.
The Ravens have been working out in the new helmets, and here’s a look at them in action on the practice field:
.@megatronnie 😤@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/bivyiVzzvo
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 5, 2024
Whenever a new uniform (or helmet) is introduced, we often temper criticism by noting “the uniforms weren’t designed for me,” even if we like them. Alternate jerseys, of course, are often introduced to sell more gear, but alternate helmets aren’t designed with a retail angle. Will the fans like them? What about the players? This week, the Ravens asked their players what they think about the first alternate helmet in team history and what their idea design would be. Here’s what they said.
As I’ve said before, I LOVE the new helmet, although I’ll reserve final judgment until I see them in game play. Since the helmet has a satin finish, there should be no issues with stadium lights affecting the color. While the previous editor (and founder) of Uni Watch wasn’t a fan of the color purple, I have no such aversion. I like that the team has designed the helmet to work specifically with the CR uniform — their regular black helmet looked a bit “off” since the CR uniform has no black on it. The gold facemask of the helmet picks up the gold numbers and striping of the CR uniform much better.
What do you guys think? Is this too much purple? There aren’t many CR uniforms I like (and the Ravens already have all purple uniform that is different from the CR uniform). But I do love the helmet, and if the Ravens only wear their CR uniforms and new helmet once a season, then that’s fine by me.
Bengals in orange pants or even the orange jersey with white pants would look awesome! I feel like I’m commenting on every post about MORE color!
As noted in my MMUW, the Ravens have actually played three games already against teams wearing orange pants (Bengals, Browns, Broncos). I very much like the purple vs. orange games!
The better look would be:
Purple helmet, black top, purple or white pants with purple socks. Enough of the monotard look!
Unfortunately, due to the current “alternate” rules, that combo isn’t possible. However, ICYMI, I did explore what would happen if the NFL permitted mixing and matching of alternate/CR elements with primary elements.
link
NFL = No Fun League!
Packers 50’s top with their white pants would also look awesome if NFL would get rid of this rule.
If the Ravens want everyone to wear purple, they can provide something like a T-shirt or hat.
This’ll be a decent looking game (yes, it would be better if CIN went O/W/O/B)… not top 5, but still good.
Love that poster. There should be more stuff like that.
As for the unis, as far as mono designs go, I think these will look pretty sharp with the gold trim. I do dislike Baltimore’s bird-head logos. They look sickly to me, and I’d rather see their shield logo as a primary.
For matchup’s sake, I’d rather see the Bengals in a more orange-heavy look for this, but it should look decent nonetheless.
Canvus Cocktails, the official canned cocktail of the Cincinnati Bengals, has been creating these game day posters since about 2022. If you check their social media pages, you can see most of these.
I thought it was a common thing for teams to make gameday “posters”, drawings, etc. The eagles have either done this or featured artist work for as long as I can remember.
I don’t have it anymore, but a while ago I found a small hardback poster of an eagles gameday program in a thrift store. It says Philadelphia Eagles above and Green Packers below with 1960s era cartoon style Eagle tying up a meat packing working with sausage links. At the bottom, it says “Franklin Field, November 11 1962”
Please join me in praying that Paul does not watch this game!
Something already tells me he will not be watching.
Not a fan of the mono look at all but in this case it should look rather nice against the colorful Bengals. The front facing Raven still reminds me of a drunk housewife in a rage after finding out her husband cheated on her but it is OK. That poster, does it refer to the obscure kung fu movie Flapping Raven Flying Tiger?
Hard pass from me. I don’t really like the Ravens regular helmet logo, but this one is worse. There’s just no reason for a team to wear the same color from head to toe.
The only thing good about this is that Bengals poster.
Full on purple… reminds me of the video that was linked a couple of months ago when the Vikings went full purple in 1964 and the quote talking about Van Brocklin’s views on it:
“You guys look like a bunch of easter eggs out there. All that purple out there was more than that the dutchman was willing to tolerate, and that was the end of the purple pants”.
We can learn a lot from history.
Purple is underrated. Love the Ravens (and Vikings) colors and wish the Raptors and the LA Kings would go back to purple.
Purple is underrated. Purple is awesome. Monopurple is excessive. Most monochrome looks are, and the trend is overdone to the point of farce.
Gold center stripes and matte purple both look terrific. Miniature glossy raven face logo is a huge indecipherable fail. Do they not test their design on real products in natural lighting?