The NFL Color Rush program, which debuted in 2015, saw teams wear specially designed alternate uniforms, often in bold, monochromatic colors. The program was intended to inject some extra visual excitement into Thursday Night Football broadcasts. Over the years, some Color Rush uniforms became quite popular with fans.
However, after the 2019 season, the NFL announced it was ending the Color Rush program, at least in its previous form. So did the league really do away with Color Rush altogether? Let’s take a closer look.
The History of NFL Color Rush
The Color Rush program was launched in 2015, with eight teams wearing alternate jerseys during Thursday night games. The uniforms were eye-catching, featuring bright, solid colors that contrasted with the normal home and away jerseys.
For example, the New York Jets wore kelly green, the St. Louis Rams wore sunny gold, and the Buffalo Bills wore all red. The solid-colored jerseys were often paired with monochromatic pants and socks as well.
In 2016, the NFL expanded Color Rush to all 32 teams, with each team wearing the alternate jerseys for one Thursday night game. Some of the early standouts included the Seattle Seahawks’ Action Green, the New Orleans Saints’ black and gold, and the Carolina Panthers’ electric blue.
Over the next couple seasons, many Color Rush uniforms grew on fans and became popular alternate looks for teams. By 2018, 11 teams had adopted their Color Rush designs into their permanent uniform rotation.
Why Did the NFL Discontinue Color Rush in its Original Format?
After the 2019 season, the NFL announced it was eliminating the full-scale Thursday night Color Rush program. There were a few factors that contributed to this decision:
- Difficulty coordinating uniforms – The Color Rush program required extensive coordination to ensure the two teams playing each week had sufficiently contrasting uniform colors. This process proved challenging, especially with more teams adopting Color Rush-inspired alternate jerseys.
- Increased costs – Having special Color Rush uniforms every Thursday night increased costs for teams and manufacturers. The NFL wanted to scale back the spending requirements.
- Dwindling novelty – While some Color Rush uniforms were extremely popular, others were seen as gimmicky. As more teams integrated Color Rush designs into regular rotations, the week-to-week novelty had begun decreasing.
So after the 2019 season, the NFL ended the full-scale Thursday night Color Rush program. However, this did not mean the end of Color Rush altogether.
The Status of Color Rush Uniforms Today
While the NFL discontinued the special Thursday night Color Rush games, teams are still able to wear the popular alternate jerseys and pants during standard games. Here are some key points about the status today:
- Teams can choose Color Rush for any game – Teams with Color Rush uniforms can opt to wear them for any regular season home or away game, not just Thursdays.
- Thursday games feature standard uniforms – The NFL no longer mandates special Color Rush uniforms to be worn each Thursday night. Teams just wear normal home or away uniforms.
- New uniforms still influenced by Color Rush – When teams unveil new uniform designs, they often integrate popular Color Rush elements like bright, solid colors and modernized designs.
So in 2022 and beyond, NFL teams still have access to Color Rush uniform designs and can incorporate them into their kits as they choose. Fans will still see the eye-catching alternates on full display – just during all days of the week now rather than exclusively on Thursday nights.
Notable Color Rush Uniforms Still in Use
Many teams with beloved Color Rush designs continue featuring them in their uniform rotations. Here are some of the most popular looks still worn regularly today:
| Team | Color | First Season |
|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | White | 2016 |
| Dallas Cowboys | White | 2016 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Black | 2016 |
| New York Jets | Kelly Green | 2016 |
| Buffalo Bills | Red | 2016 |
| Miami Dolphins | Aqua | 2016 |
| San Francisco 49ers | All Black | 2018 |
As you can see, some of the NFL’s most iconic franchises have embraced their Color Rush jerseys and integrated them into regular use. The designs allow teams to feature new takes on classic looks their fans love.
Color Rush Alternates Still Planned for the Future
Looking ahead, the NFL still views Color Rush as an impactful uniform concept. While the original Thursday night program ended, the league sees value in thoughtful alternates that energize fans.
In 2020, the NFL approved a new Color Rush uniform for the Cleveland Browns, featuring brown jerseys and orange pants. This shows the NFL’s willingness to build on Color Rush’s legacy in the future.
It’s also rumored that popular Color Rush uniforms could return for additional teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their vibrant red jersey paired with pewter pants.
Teams will continue proposing new uniform designs to the NFL each year, and it’s likely we’ll see more inspired by the beloved Color Rush program. Expect to see additional exciting alternates hit the field in coming seasons!
Key Takeaways
- The NFL discontinued the Thursday night Color Rush program after the 2019 season, ending the mandate that required special uniforms each week.
- Teams can still opt to wear Color Rush alternates whenever they choose, during any regular season game.
- Color Rush influenced uniform designs and colors live on in many of the new uniforms unveiled in recent years.
- The NFL sees value in thoughtful alternate designs and will likely approve more Color Rush-inspired looks in the future.
So while the original Thursday night Color Rush era came to a close, its legacy lives on through the vibrant uniform designs it inspired. Fans can continue looking forward to both classic Color Rush looks and exciting new variants in the years ahead!
Conclusion
The NFL Color Rush program certainly left its mark, bringing fun alternate uniforms to Thursday night games for five seasons. While the league discontinued the original format, Color Rush still lives on through the beloved designs now integrated into standard team rotations.
Bright, solid-colored jerseys and pants offered a bold new look for NFL teams, winning over players and fans alike. It’s likely the Color Rush concept will continue influencing new uniform designs in the future as well.
So while Thursday nights no longer feature guaranteed vibrant matchups, the spirit of Color Rush stillbrightens up NFL games each week. The program’s legacy will be celebrated by fans every time stars like Saquon Barkley and Aaron Donald suit up in their monochromatic alternates.
The NFL may have done away with mandated Thursday night Color Rush, but its audacious uniforms are here to stay.