Bring Back The Orange Jerseys

by KaptainKirk on Oct 2, 2009 11:57 PM MDT

This started out as a comment in response to a NYCBronx post where he suggested that the Broncos "Bring back the Orange Jerseys." It ran a little long, so I decided to make it into a post.

So you want the Orange Jerseys back? It is not as simple as you may think. You can't just wish it to happen. A mere phone call or letter to Pat Bowlen simply won't suffice. It will take a plan.

According to the 2002 Resolution G-3 to the CBA, they Amended Article 19.9(D)(1)to read:

(D) No club shall have the right to make changes in its club colors and/or in the designs of its team helmets or uniforms except in accordance with the following provisions:
(1)If a club desires to make changes in club colors, designs of team helmets, design of team uniforms, trademarks, or trade names, it must give written notice and details thereof to the League on or before March 1st of the year prior to the year in which it wishes to change; and further must obtain approval from the League pursuant to the Section 19.9(D)(2) herein by December 1st of the year prior to the year in which it wishes to change; otherwise it shall have no right to make any change for the succeeding season.

In other words, the Broncos would have to declare the Orange Jerseys as their Home Jerseys, with the Blue Jerseys designated as the 3rd uniform design. They would have to notify the League so that Reebok could alter their demand issues on Jersey sales, because that is part of the agreement they have with the NFL.

Article 19 goes on further about Team Colors, Throwback Uniforms, 3rd uniform usage, etc.

It goes on to say:

Be it Further Resolved, that a Club may not change its regular home and away uniforms more than once every 5 NFL seasons, and may not change its 3rd uniform design more than once every 5 NFL seasons, absent specific extenuating circumstances(e.g., Club ownership change or relocation) as determined by the Commissioner.

So to change the predominant color of the Home Jerseys back to Orange, the Broncos need to:

1) Provide written notice and details of any changes in uniform to the League office by March 1st of the year prior to the year that the change will take place.

2) Have the uniform color selection and logo design completed, with club owner and chief executive approval by July 1st of the year prior.

3) Have the first uniform samples created (Club owner,equipment manager and Chief executive should have approved designs for first samples by August 1st of the year prior.

4) Have the Final uniform samples provided to the League office for approval-final TV test and approvals from Club owner, equipment manager and Chief executive should also be forwarded by November 1st of the year prior.

and finally:
5) Get the League office's final approval by December 1st of the year prior.

*Note: If the final samples do not arrive in the League offices by November 1st of the year preceding the season in which the change is occurring the uniform will not be approved.

So you see, getting the Orange Jerseys back is not a simple thing. I don't know for a fact the last year of the Orange Jerseys being the predominant Home Jersey, but there was a uniform change near the Super Bowl winning years (if I'm not mistaken). In any case, plenty of time has elapsed to cover the 5 year rule.

I would suggest sending a petition to Mr. Bowlen to put the wheels in motion. That way, it would be possible to make this happen for the 2011 season. However, Pat may be preoccupied with the upcoming CBA battle that is becoming closer to a problem then any of us can do a thing about.

I Love the Orange Jerseys, and I would Love it if they were brought back. They are as much a part of the Broncos as the Mile High Mystique and the devastating Rocky Mountain Thunder of crowd noise at the old Mile High Stadium. The 2009 Broncos are making a return to the rich winning history, so it is only fitting they return the "Winning" Orange Jerseys too.

Poll

Should we petition Pat Bowlen to Bring back the Orange Jerseys?

Yes

147 votes

No

24 votes

171 votes | Poll has closed

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

Tweet Comment 55 comments | 8 recs |

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Comments

I LOVE the orange jersey's as well, bought myself one this summer and like it much more than my blue jersey

I hope some day they’ll start wearing the alternate orange as their home jersey…so I voted yes

Bleeding Orange & Blue in The Netherlands

by BroncosNL on Oct 3, 2009 12:19 AM MDT reply actions

I'm torn.

I love the orange jerseys (they’re what I grew up with), but at the same time the new blue look is the one that finally brought us a Super Bowl win.

So, yeah, I’m torn. I still voted yes, but with reservations. Color me superstitious, I guess.

At this point in the season, all the Rockies' numbers are magic.
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan

by Duncan1800 on Oct 3, 2009 1:19 AM MDT reply actions

So...

Was it the blue jerseys that did it…. or was it the uniform change itself that fueled it?

An argument could be made either way.

;^)

Richard Seymour is a girl.

by pubkeeper on Oct 3, 2009 11:51 AM MDT up reply actions

See, that's the thing.

I love the new uniform’s design – but I don’t know if it was the color that was important, or just the overall layout.

Of course, this all assumes that uniform design has ANYTHING to do with a team’s success on the field. Which is ludicrous, right?

Right. I submit to you the legendarily mediocre “creamsicle” Tampa Bay Bucs, who almost immediately got better after switching to their current maroon-and-pewter scheme. Coincidence? You decide…

At this point in the season, all the Rockies' numbers are magic.
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan

by Duncan1800 on Oct 3, 2009 3:27 PM MDT up reply actions

I read somewhere

that Elway didn’t like the new design.

by papasteven on Oct 3, 2009 8:44 PM MDT up reply actions

there was a classic photo of him wearing the new threads

with an incredulous look on his face. But two rings later, I’d guess he loved them. :: )

Wish I could find that photo — Google apparently hasn’t ever seen it.

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 4, 2009 7:38 AM MDT up reply actions

Write the letter Kirk and I will sign it.

Great work and let’s hope we can get this done. Love the Orange in which they will be wearing Sunday.

by bfree2bronc on Oct 3, 2009 1:43 AM MDT reply actions

I'm not the petitioning type

It was merely a suggestion. It really should be done by the season ticket holders.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Oct 3, 2009 7:45 AM MDT up reply actions

Orange Jerseys, blue pants

Love the orange unis but I always thought they needed blue pants with orange stripes on the sides. Bold. I like it. I think we will wear the orange alternate jerseys more under McD. Word is Shanahan did not like the Orange Jerseys.

by Adam Manter on Oct 3, 2009 4:57 AM MDT reply actions

idk about that..........

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by Troy Hufford on Oct 3, 2009 8:11 AM MDT up reply actions

Wouldn't quite match right

With the Orange jerseys, there is a blue stripe down the side that is designed to look as one with the stripe going down the sides of the legs. If the jersey has blue stripes, then the pants’ stripes are Orange…. That just wouldn’t quite look, well… Good.

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and we oughtta let someone else have a fair shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Oct 3, 2009 10:19 AM MDT up reply actions

Agreed. That's why the home alternate blues work. When we have the blue pants, it's fine.

Color combos are tough to call. If you wanted white jerseys with blue pants, that would look bad, but blue jerseys with white pants works. Orange jerseys with white pants works. Blue pants wouldn’t work with the orange jerseys IMO.

I feel like a host on What not to wear. I need to do something manly like rip my shirt, hulk style, or grunt.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by Troy Hufford on Oct 3, 2009 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions

+1

My $0.02:

Home: Orange Jersey w/blue stripe, white pants w/blue stripe
Away: White Jersey w/blue stripe, white pants w/blue stripe
Alt:: Blue Jersey w/orange stripe, blue pants w/orange stripe

BTW, I’d say my alternate is a VERY close second to the orange jersey combo for home games. I really dig the all blue look. But I like the history behind the orange jersey so that wins out.

DP Message Board Refugee & Drinker of Kool-Aid

I don’t like quarterbacks. - DOOM

by jubei on Oct 3, 2009 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs

I will add my $0.02 to jubel's recommendation, those schemes are my favorites too.

I agree, Larsen shouldn’t get any bigger. I am getting tired of his bone crushing hits knocking the pixels off my TV, once they fall to the floor they are very hard to find.

by Arctic Bronco on Oct 4, 2009 9:22 AM MDT up reply actions

lol

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 4, 2009 7:40 AM MDT up reply actions

Please, please bring back the orange

The blue is boring, to me. Yes, it was semi-exciting when they were brought on, but I miss the orange. This team’s colors are orange and blue, not the other way around.

By the way, ’98 was the first year for the new look — we lost in the playoffs at home the year before, won the SB the first year with them. :)

by BroncosBassist on Oct 3, 2009 5:39 AM MDT reply actions

Yeah, I thought it was around '98

I just wasn’t positive. BTW, the 3rd uniform is eligible for 2 games a year, so we get to see the Orange Jerseys this year. In fact, we should see them in this weeks match up vs. the Cowboys.

by KaptainKirk on Oct 3, 2009 7:48 AM MDT up reply actions

Yes! Thank goodness for that. We're bringing back the oragne & the orange crush DEFENSE!!!

"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".

"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.

by broncoholic on Oct 3, 2009 8:46 AM MDT up reply actions

97 was the year mate...

"FLAG! Fail on the field. Re-do." -Disco_Stu

by Joe Medina on Oct 3, 2009 2:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Technically, you're both right.

1997 season, 1998 Super Bowl.

I looked that up last night – should have shared. Sorry.

At this point in the season, all the Rockies' numbers are magic.
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan

by Duncan1800 on Oct 3, 2009 3:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for finding out the details Kaptain

If I still lived in Denver, I might just start going door to door as my free time would allow – but that would realistically take me about a decade before I got enough signatures(over 75,000 – enough singatures to fill the stands AT LEAST once), or at least a few years…. You’re right though, some season ticket holders that are well off/retired/just plain stinkin’ rich, need to get that petition going and bring copies for people sign to every home game…. That oughtta get enough sigs before December.

Anyway, thanks again!

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and we oughtta let someone else have a fair shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Oct 3, 2009 10:23 AM MDT reply actions

Well you know my feelings on this issue Kirk! I say make the Orange alt our home and put a freakin' D back on the helmet!

It's Orange Crush Time!

by USMCWall on Oct 3, 2009 11:33 AM MDT reply actions 5 recs

Sweet!

Love that helmet! Best of both logos.

Richard Seymour is a girl.

by pubkeeper on Oct 3, 2009 11:55 AM MDT up reply actions

Yes, that is nice Alex!

by KaptainKirk on Oct 3, 2009 12:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Why does everyone grab that logo? Nobody ever asks the creator if they can… and that would be ME!

by WD1983 on Oct 3, 2009 4:39 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for posting!

If this is your creation, I would like to know your perspective on it’s usage in proposed design options that are not meant for profit — just so we are in line with any regulations that are germane. Thanks for teaching us

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Doc Bear on Oct 3, 2009 6:28 PM MDT up reply actions

Do you work for Nike?

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 4, 2009 8:21 AM MDT up reply actions

Great helmet design!

It is great that it uses the “cyber horse”, as well as the “D”! Good job and thanks, USMC! Rec’d.

" Life is what happens while you're making other plans "

by hairybear on Oct 3, 2009 12:14 PM MDT up reply actions

That. Kicks. Ass.

Sorry for the language, but there isn’t any better way to convey my feelings!

The only thing I would maybe do different is invert the colors. Dark blue helmet, orange D, new cyberstallion. That we be schweet with the orange jerseys!

Nice work!

DP Message Board Refugee & Drinker of Kool-Aid

I don’t like quarterbacks. - DOOM

by jubei on Oct 3, 2009 1:05 PM MDT up reply actions

I've always loved the "cyberstallion".

More than I originally liked the current uniforms, actually. (The latter has grown on me somewhat over the years.)

I think the modern helmet style, in deep blue with a “cyberized” classic D in orange, would be outstanding along with an orange-themed primary jersey.

To me, considering that next year will be the true 50th anniversary (1960-2010) of the Broncos’ first AFL season, I also think it would be cool to continue the yellow-and-brown throwbacks as an alternate, to keep us humble about how far this team has come over its history.

At this point in the season, all the Rockies' numbers are magic.
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan

by Duncan1800 on Oct 3, 2009 3:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Wouldn't the 50th anniversary be the 50th season?

If so, 2009 is it. If you’re thinking the 2010 season is the 50th because 2010 minus 1960 equals 50, try this little math exercise. Subtract 1960 from 1961. You get 1. Now, was 1961 our 1st season?

"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.

by spock on Oct 4, 2009 6:53 AM MDT up reply actions

Kind of like...

….how 2009 is in the 21st century.

A man does what he has to do, and sometimes it’s not what I believe he should do. There’s no reason to use up energy hating him for it. Shoot him if you have to, but don’t hate him.

Louis L’Amour

by bradley on Oct 4, 2009 8:14 AM MDT up reply actions

I think Duncan's got a point

why would the anniversary be the same as the season? An anniversary is like a birthday, it’s the close of the year.

The “1st anniversary” could not happen during the 1st season, it would be the beginning of the second season — in your example, the beginning of the 1961 season. So the beginning of the 3rd season = 2nd anniversary, and on down the line, until we get to our 51st season (next year), the beginning of which is the …. wait for it …. 50th anniversary of the beginning of our 1st season!

by rwg on Oct 4, 2009 9:36 AM MDT up reply actions

If that's what he was thinking

I see his point. Your fifth birthday is the beginning of your 6th year, so the Broncos’ 50th anniversary would be the beginning of their 51st season.

"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.

by spock on Oct 4, 2009 11:23 AM MDT up reply actions

Not trying to pick a fight,

but I like the blue better. I know, it’s just me, but . . .
Go Broncs!

It's "just" football

by Donkhead on Oct 3, 2009 12:11 PM MDT reply actions

I like the blue too.

Just not as much as the orange. :)

I think an all-blue alternate uniform would be cool, though – see my “recommendations” under PA’s post.

At this point in the season, all the Rockies' numbers are magic.
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan

by Duncan1800 on Oct 3, 2009 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions

Not just you Dh, I like the blue better and heres why.

When we had only the Orange jerseys, after a few games,
they started to fade. By the end of the season they did’nt
look so good.
I like see them a few times a year, but keep the blues.
By the way, nice debate, and good read Kap’n.
Rec’d

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Oct 3, 2009 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions

The way things are now though...

players get new jerseys before every game, so the fading doesn’t really matter anymore.

"FLAG! Fail on the field. Re-do." -Disco_Stu

by Joe Medina on Oct 3, 2009 6:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks, I really did'nt know that Calijoefornia,

Guess I’m showing my age lol

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Oct 3, 2009 6:32 PM MDT up reply actions

LOL

I thought he was talking about the team fading late in the season, not the jerseys. I was agreeing. ; )

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 4, 2009 7:43 AM MDT up reply actions

Great research, Kaptain

Didn’t know that it takes an act of congress for the change! Whoa… don’t let them get involved! LOL! Rec’d.

" Life is what happens while you're making other plans "

by hairybear on Oct 3, 2009 12:30 PM MDT reply actions

The uniform

change to blue had it’s time, but I agree that it is time to go back to orange as the main jersey. Also, I think that they should wear the blue pants on the road with the white jerseys. And, they should change the number font.

by PABroncofan on Oct 3, 2009 3:07 PM MDT reply actions

Agreed about the blue pants.

I disagree about the number font – nearly everyone has been using that same “sports block letter” style since the dawn of time. We were one of the first to break away from that supposed standard, and I’ve always liked that. For me, the numbers stay as-is.

Moving on, then, here’s what I’d like to see as the uniform standards for next year:

White pants with matching blue stripe for the orange jerseys.

Blue pants with orange stripe for the white jerseys.

Blue pants with orange stripe for the blue jerseys (as a home or road alternate).

And just for good measure, three styles of throwbacks (the 1960 yellow-brown style, the 1965 orange-blue style with bold panels on the sleeves, and the 1970 “finalized” orange-blue classic version). That celebrates both our AFL history and our NFL success.

Let me just say, I’m glad we’ve had owners over the years with the boldness to change the concept over time rather than just “go with what we’ve always done” – that leads to unshakeable sameness like that used by the KC Chiefs (same uniforms their entire history) or the Baltimore/Indy Colts (only minor tweaks over 60 years).

At this point in the season, all the Rockies' numbers are magic.
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan

by Duncan1800 on Oct 3, 2009 3:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks, Kaptain, for looking into it

Sounds challenging, but not impossible. It would take some time to implement, regardless.

I guess I’ll enjoy the alternates for the time being.

by NYCBronx on Oct 3, 2009 6:26 PM MDT reply actions

Our orange jersey is among the very best in the NFL.

Our blue jersey is among the very worst. It’s just ugly with that weird strip thing down the sides.

Bring back the ORANGE and the old helmet too.

Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.

by McGeorge on Oct 3, 2009 7:10 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks one and all

Whenever someone here has a question, if I have the time, I usually try to research the answer. It is most likely a chance to learn something, and I find that sharing it has welcome results.

by KaptainKirk on Oct 3, 2009 8:12 PM MDT reply actions

you've done awesome work with the CBA Kirk

I know I’ve said it before, but you’ve really run with it. Thanks a ton!

As far as the jerseys are concerned, I think our orange is really sharp, love teh particular hue they and saturation they have chosen for it, but I like the Blue as well, and the white of course. ilike our older styles too, though the orange that was red-saturated for a while (sixties I think?) didn’t appeal to me. I really expect to dislike the throwbacks, vertical stripes and all, but I am holding out hope that I will be pleasantly. I just can’t dig the “so bad its good” vibe…. unless it gets us a win by incapacitating the opponent somehow… :)

But whn you note how much has to go into doing the change, in addition to the CBA coming up, I think I would like to see the Broncos focus their efforts elsewhere. If they have the talent and time to spare for a redesign and push through the red tape, I’m all for some mild adjustments, and would probably be happy with most anything they slap on our guys. But if there is ANY question about keeping the front office and operating staff focused on more important stuff, than I say don’t take any chances.

Another Super Bowl in these unis wouldn’t hurt anyone, methinks… :)

Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 3, 2009 10:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Thank you sir styg

I have a bunch more megabytes of CBA stuff to post up too. I just have to break it down into segments so it doesn’t get stale or drawn out for our readers. The attraction of education really stirs my passion.

by KaptainKirk on Oct 3, 2009 11:00 PM MDT up reply actions

"Another Super Bowl in these unis wouldn’t hurt anyone, methinks… :)"

Well, except for 31 other teams and their fans. ;-)

A man does what he has to do, and sometimes it’s not what I believe he should do. There’s no reason to use up energy hating him for it. Shoot him if you have to, but don’t hate him.

Louis L’Amour

by bradley on Oct 4, 2009 8:18 AM MDT up reply actions

Hue they think gonna beat them broncos?????????

hahaha, sorry. I wish we would have talked about this during Bengals week. This joke would have been a killer.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by Troy Hufford on Oct 4, 2009 9:00 AM MDT up reply actions

Under what circumstances are the alternate uniforms used?

Can they be used for home or away games? Do we have to give advance notice? If so, how much? I’d love to see illustrations of the various proposals. White pants don’t sound very attractive, but maybe I’d feel different if I saw them. The designs that come to mind are: orange shirt and pants with continuous blue stripe, blue shirt and pants with continuous orange stripe, white shirt and blue pants with continuous orange striple, and white shirt and orange pants with continuous blue stripe. Plus any other combinations anyone else would like to see. Anyone up to photoshopping these and other combos? I’m not familiar with all the orange hues but remember liking the one
on the Orange Crush squad. It looked nice, especially on Rick Upchurch heading towards the other team’s goal line.

"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.

by spock on Oct 4, 2009 7:17 AM MDT reply actions

It is

pretty definitive about having one home and one away uniform, but the reason for the 3rd uniform is more for the marketing and developing more consumer products (Money) than anything else.

However, to partially answer your question, it states in Subsection(4) :

A Club may wear an approved 3rd uniform design at one home game each season in connection with a special event, occasion or anniversary, provided that the Club gives notice to the League office by July 1 of the year in which the selected game is scheduled to be played, the selected game does not conflict with a League event ot initiative, and the event being commemorated is approved by the Commissioner.

This seems to really pertain to the Mustard and Brown Throwback uni’s to me. But I would think that the Owners (especially of the old AFL teams) collaborated on this one, and decided on it together.

That is all I could find to attempt to answer your question. However, it must state somewhere, a reason that our team is allowed to wear the Orange Jerseys twice this year. whether it is the Commissioner’s caveat or not.

by KaptainKirk on Oct 4, 2009 8:10 AM MDT up reply actions

Thanks

That clears it up. There was something not so long ago in MHR to the effect that the uniform the home team decides to use can force the road team to use a different uniform than they normally would. I think it had something to do with the uniform Cinci wore when we played them. The regulation you quote in your FanPost seems to indicate that’s not so, that the home team has a designated home uniform and the road team a designated road uniform, and that’s what they wear.

"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.

by spock on Oct 4, 2009 11:34 AM MDT up reply actions

You are vey welcome

Your questions are usually thoughtful and challenge me in a good way that is beneficial not only to you and I, but others as well.

by KaptainKirk on Oct 4, 2009 1:35 PM MDT up reply actions

I think the blue jerseys are awesome

but admit to liking the orange ones better. This season we are making history with a new coach, a new philosophy, and a squad that recalls our glorious past. Orange is not only a fantastic look, it’s situationally appropriate!

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 4, 2009 7:48 AM MDT reply actions