The Lions are debuting a new look on “Monday Night Football.”
As Detroit gets set to face the Seahawks in a primetime matchup at home in Week 4, they’ll be rocking all-black uniforms with touches of blue in between.
It’s a unique look for the Lions, who usually stick to white and gray as their dominant colors with jerseys and uniforms, and some fans have even compared the new look to the Panthers’ usual uniforms.
Here’s what to know about Detroit’s new look, why they’re wearing them and other times they’ve had all-black uniforms in their franchise’s history.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Why are the Lions wearing black jerseys and helmets?
In April, the Lions announced their new uniform collection.
More grit. More attitude. More drive. pic.twitter.com/hreCyzZMoK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 18, 2024
Per the team’s website, the “Motor City Muscle” uniform, the all-black look, was “heavily influenced by the grit and swagger our team brings to the field” and “reintroduces black to the Lions on-the-field closet.”
With the jersey, they also introduced an alternate helmet to match, which is mostly blue but with a black stripe down the middle and a black team logo on the sides.
The @Lions will debut their new black uniforms this week.#uniswag pic.twitter.com/HLCbINTZB2
— UNISWAG (@UNISWAG) September 25, 2024
There’s a unique story to why Detroit brought back the black uniforms as well. Per ESPN, head coach Dan Campbell, new to the team at the time after being hired in January 2021, asked Lions president Rod Wood when the franchise could bring the black uniforms back. Wood responded, “When you win the division.”
In 2023, Campbell led the Lions not just to an NFC North title, but also to the NFC Championship game, where they ultimately fell short against the 49ers. However, a strong season for Detroit and Campbell making good on that goal to win the division, meant the black uniforms were coming back.
When have the Lions worn black uniforms before?
Detroit has worn black uniforms in the past, and Campbell himself played in those uniforms before when he was with the Lions from 2006-2008.
The @Lions have introduced a black uniform for the 3rd time in franchise history, first doing so in 1948 before wearing black jerseys twice a season from 2005-07.
⁰This marks the first time Detroit will pair a blue helmet with a black uniform. pic.twitter.com/JgYGveWc7i— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 18, 2024
Here’s a look at Campbell, a former tight end, catching a touchdown in the old Lions’ black uniforms.
Dan Campbell and the @Lions’ black uniforms go way back 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2vZ9EFL8ab
— NFL (@NFL) April 19, 2024
On Monday night, Detroit brings back its all-black style as it looks to improve on its early 2-1 record this season. In 2024, the Lions are continuing their quest to appear in their first-ever Super Bowl as one of the NFC’s deepest squads.
