Uniforms fundamentally represent their team’s foundation, spirit, and state with different combinations of colors and logos. Each combination makes up our beloved NFL franchise uniforms that we see each time a team takes the field.
In this article, we’ll discuss 5 of the most iconic NFL uniforms of all time, including what teams have the most iconic uniforms when they were first worn, and what makes them so iconic and unique to their particular team.
If you’ve watched the Packers play at least one time in your life, then you know exactly what uniforms we’re talking about. Their iconic Green Bay green and yellow remain the main solid colors for the Wisconsin-based team since 1961, and when you see that color combo, you know it’s the Green Bay Packers.
Changing from their horrid 1950s retro green jerseys, 1961 was a new era for the Packers, who’d go on to win 4 Super Bowls since then ending in 2010. When it comes to the prominent “G” symbol on their yellow helmets (with yellow gloves and pants to match) you won’t find many other uniforms that capture a team’s spirit better than this.
While the New England Patriots retired this jersey back in 1992, we still think it’s one of the most special uniforms that encapsulates New England football. Starting in their 1984 season, the Pats would dress themselves in a fierce red old-school style uniform with blue, red and white stripes to capture the nation’s colors, as well as serve as a reminder of the birthplace of our nation.
Worn as their first-ever Super Bowl appearance jersey (leading to many future Super Bowls as well) the Pats would also rep the old-time Pat Patriot military man logo on their helmets, which many fans adored, and it was brought back to the NFL in the 2023 season.
Another one of the most iconic NFL uniforms still represented to this day is the Dallas Cowboys and their notable white and blue star jerseys. While the road uniforms are the same rendition you see to this day from 1974, they’ve kept it relatively simple for good reason.
As virtually the most popular team in the NFL, no one reps the all-white and blue better than Dallas. To top off their clean-cut jerseys with striped pants and shoulders to match, the Cowboys would rep their famous Star-shape logo on their helmets, creating one of the most iconic kits still worn to this day in the NFL.
You may have missed this 20-year rendition of the iconic Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniforms, which is why they make the list of most iconic NFL uniforms at #2. First worn back in 1976, the Florida-based team would rep a vibrant orange creamsicle color, something no NFL team had been bold enough to do in the past.
Along with the maroonish-red Buccaneer Bruce logo on their helmets, the red and orange creamsicle stripe on the pants was a perfect match for the team. This uniform is yet to be brought back to the NFL, and although most fans may agree that it’d be cool to see another rendition of the flavorful Buccaneers, they were one of the worst teams in the NFL at the time of wearing these jerseys.
Topping the list of most iconic NFL uniforms throughout football history is the famed Los Angeles Chargers and their newest 2019 edition of their old 1966 powder blue and yellow jerseys. Many would agree that the contrast of the blue and yellow perfectly encapsulates what it means to be a Charger, especially with the striking yellow lightning bolt on both their helmets and pants.
Particularly, their helmet design is unlike any other (except maybe the Rams), as their dual yellow lightning bolts are displayed from head to shoulders to pants down below, making the players look like lightning while they play on the field. While it’s a subjective take for most of these iconic jerseys, we think the Los Angeles Chargers’ newest 2019 edition uniforms are some of the best the NFL has laid eyes upon in its history.
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.