Did the Green Bay Packers copy Illinois? Social media reacts to team's 1923 throwback uniform
The Green Bay Packers are gonna party like it's 1923 this season.
After rumored speculation and a leak from Dick's Sporting Goods, the Packers revealed their alternate uniforms for the 2025 season on July 24. The blue-and-gold uniforms pay homage to the Packers' 1923 uniforms, the first year the team was publicly owned.
The navy blue jerseys with gold numbers and stripes will be donned with a modern helmet that's hand-painted to look like the leather helmets of that era.
The Packers plan to wear the throwback uniforms for a home game but they haven't said when.
Public reactions on social media have been mixed.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, some fans were fond of the new iteration of the 1923 uniforms.
Others, not so much.
Does the uniform rip off the Illini?
Many users pointed out the similarities between the Packers' uniforms and throwback uniforms that the Illinois wore in the 2024 college football season. The Illini wore a 1920s themed uniform against Michigan in 2024 with hand-painted helmets that looked like leather, just like what the Packers have.
According to the University Of Illinois Athletics website, the Illini throwbacks paid homage to Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback Red Grange’s six-touchdown game against Michigan during the Memorial Stadium Dedication Game in 1924. That's one year after the Packers donned the blue-and-gold.
Are the uniforms similar? Sure. Historically speaking, though, the Packers did it first. Regardless, X users think the Packers are copying the Illini, a school that is in the same state as the Chicago Bears, the Packers' NFC North rivals.
Rashad Alexander can be contacted at ralexander@gannett.com and 920-431-8214.