For the second time this season, the Denver Broncos will wear their stunningly gorgeous “1977 Inspired” throwback uniforms, and they’ll be wearing them against long-time AFC West rival Kansas City. Not only will this game (likely) be the best-looking game of the NFL’s final regular season weekend, it may be the best uniform matchup of the entire season.
The throwback jerseys debuted in Week 5 against another long-time AFC West foe, the Las Vegas Raiders. The uniforms aren’t strict 1977 throwbacks, but are designed to pay tribute to the Orange Crush era and specifically the 1977 season. That year the Broncos made their first Super Bowl appearance. According to the team, the orange jerseys feature oversized white numbers with Legacy Blue trim, while the pants feature an orange-and-Legacy-Blue stripe.
Here are a few looks at those uniforms worn during the Broncos Week 5 game against the Raiders:
Despite the Broncos’ relative lack of success in this style uniform, I think most people who possess eyes will agree this uniform is far superior to anything that has followed (or come before). And yes, you can all write, “They Should Make These Permanent!” down in the comments below.
While Broncos fans may consider the uniforms unlucky or even jinxed (the team lost four straight Super Bowls while wearing this style of uniform, with three of those in orange jerseys), Denver defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18 during Week 5, as the 1977 Super Bowl team was honored during the game. If they win Sunday against the Chiefs, they will lock up the final AFC playoff spot.
The Broncos haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2015 season, so maybe a second victory in these uniforms will permanently squash any lasting “these uniforms are unlucky” concerns of Broncos fans.
I love everything about these uniforms, but I’m especially enamored with the throwback socks — a look a certain uniform scribe wasn’t convinced the team would actually wear, and wrote, “If the players actually wear those striped socks, I’ll weep with joy (but I’m not holding my breath).” He wasn’t the only one weeping with joy!
Naturally the Broncos produced a terrific hype video for Sunday’s win-and-in game.
Can’t wait to see this again on Sunday. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hJd9G6oiyR
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 31, 2024
As they did in Week 5, the Broncos will have special field markings for Sunday’s game.
.@EmpowerField‘s going old school for #KCvsDEN. 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/BWaRlx8V3F
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 31, 2024
So, so good.
The Broncos and Chiefs play in Sunday’s late afternoon slate of games, and are scheduled to kick off at 4:25 pm (ET).
You can see many additional photos here.
What do you think of the throwbacks? Do you believe the uniforms are unlucky or cursed? Should the team consider returning to these full-time?
Fire away!
There are too many considerations to say whether they should change away from the current set and make these permanent. But in a vacuum, I would pick these as the full-time uniforms without a moment’s hesitation and without a single change.
That is, too many considerations *for me* to say.
Is it weird that I’d prefer these exact uniforms, but in their current (darker) color scheme?
I would find those too basic. With a classic stripe pattern, block numbers, and the muted colors, you’ve got the non-distinctive choice for every element.
A little weird, yeah. I feel like the league has leaned way too heavily into “darker colors good, light colors bad.” It makes action on the field look extremely monotonous at times.
It’s not really the league (though they are certainly complicit). Jersey sales — not just in football — are a driving force behind uniform design, and the current trends are still towards darker colors (which I am sure has been borne out by popularity of darker merch) and are still the popular choice. Remember the 1990s when teal and purple and gradients, etc. were all the rage? Uniforms, like fashion, are cyclical. We saw some pretty interesting colors across all leagues in the 1990s. The darker colors being introduced over the past several seasons are reflective of current trends as much as anything.
Personally, I’d be happy in not a single team introduced a red, blue (especially midnight blue, which may as well be black), or black uniform/jersey, and would love it if teams moved towards “brighter” colors (think Chargers, Rams, Broncos throwbacks etc.). I’m sure one day the bright/fun/happy pastel and bright colors will be popular again and teams will move away from darker colors. But I’m not going to hold my breath waiting.
As a lifelong Broncos fan i agree, the color rush set they had did that and it was fantastic
I lean a little bit toward the Dolphins’ classics as the best throwbacks, but daaaaaaannnnnggg, these are so good. Make them permanent.
“Do you believe the uniforms are unlucky or cursed?”
*2024 Detroit Lions have entered the chat.*
They should make these permanent. I think the only stronger case for this in the league might be the Falcons throwbacks, just because they’re _so_ much better than the current set (or anything since the throwbacks’ time).
They Should Make These Permanent!
They Should Make These Permanent!
That field design is really nice too. As far as the GUD shows, there’s not any specific field it’s throwing back to, but I’ll take a good-looking fauxback pretty much any day.
Yeah seems like a very good fauxback. Unfortunate that GUD doesn’t show the Broncos field pre-1990s.
Based on images/videos from 77 the field was very plain.. it said Broncos in orange font in the end zones with no midfield logo or sometimes they didn’t even have an end zone wordmark… pretty boring. Personally i’d go with their end zone design from the super bowl that season and then have the D logo at midfield.
this is probably the best site to ask so hoping someone in the comments can respond. I am looking to order 2 custom flannel baseball jerseys as a gift, anyone know where I should look?
Oh wow! This great looking, old school AFL matchup on a final weekend, late window game with something on the line (at least for one team) and my fantasy season over (no need to monitor phone apps)…. this is perfect!
I would take the current logo and put it on an orange helmet and use it with the throwback uniform.
But then it wouldn’t be a throwback uniform
Too Boise State
Raiders Chargers, Broncos Chiefs, Packers Bears will make for a very nice top 3 in the 5 and 1, whichever order they go in
Don’t sleep on Browns/Ravens, Steelers/Bengals or Jets/Dolphins – all have potential for T-5 as well. There are outside candidates as well, notably Texans/Titans and Commanders/Cowboys. Will be a tough 5 & 1. And if Detroit goes with blue pants, that will likely keep them from the & 1. Even Bills/Pats or Bucs/Saints (if they wear gold pants) might make a run the top five.
Force them to pull the sox all the way up. Nix looks foolish with the stripes at his shins.
Unfortunately more and more teams with striped socks have players that are going that route; it seems like most of the skill players on the Browns, Bears, and Chiefs wear their stripes down by their shins or ankles:
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Hopefullly Chiefs wear the same exact combo as Christmas day.
Best uni matchup of the year? Maybe. Content idea: have a “10&2” roundup for college football and NFL, picking the ten best and two worst matchups from the whole season. 5&1 isn’t enough, so need to double it!
I’m pretty sure Jimmer has done 10 & 2 for college football (and maybe other sports?).
I have been planning on doing a 10 & 2 (or something very similar) shortly. Stay tuned!
Love it!
Simply the best, gorgeous and satisfying. How anyone could think the 2024 redesign is a hit when these beauts were available all along is beyond me.