The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most popular and iconic NFL franchises, with a rich history dating back to 1933. Throughout the years, the Eagles have had several uniform changes, resulting in some classic retro color schemes that old-school fans love. In this in-depth article, we’ll take a look at the various retro uniform combinations the Eagles have worn over the decades.
Eagles Origins and Early Uniforms
The Philadelphia Eagles were founded in 1933 as an NFL expansion team. Their original colors were blue and yellow, chosen by team owner Bert Bell. The earliest Eagles uniforms featured dark blue jerseys with yellow numbers and stripes paired with mustard yellow helmets and pants.
In 1934, the Eagles debuted kelly green jerseys along with their blue jerseys. Kelly green eventually became the Eagles’ primary uniform color throughout the 1930s and 40s. Their helmet design also evolved, adding white wings on a blue helmet in 1942.
The Classic Kelly Green and White Era
In the 1950s, the Eagles solidified their signature kelly green and white color scheme that would become synonymous with the team. Their helmets were silver with kelly green wings and center stripes. The jerseys were kelly green with white numbers and stripes, paired with white pants.
This classic Eagles look lasted for decades, through their 1960 NFL championship season and the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1981. Some variations included swapping white pants for kelly green, adding black trim, or using silver helmets. But the core kelly green and white uniform identity remained unchanged.
Notable Kelly Green Uniforms
| Year | Jersey | Pants | Helmet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Kelly green with white numbers | White | Silver with kelly green wings |
| 1970 | Kelly green with white numbers and stripes | Kelly green | Silver with kelly green wings and stripe |
| 1975 | Kelly green with white numbers and stripes | White | Silver with kelly green wings |
| 1988 | Kelly green with black and white accents | White | Silver with kelly green wings |
The Modern Midnight Green Era
In 1996, team owner Jeffrey Lurie overhauled the Eagles’ uniforms and colors. Navy blue, silver, white, and accents of red replaced the classic kelly green and white scheme. Most significantly, the Eagles adopted a dark green called midnight green as their primary jersey color.
While controversial at first, midnight green eventually grew on fans and became the Eagles’ identity throughout the late 90s and 2000s. They wore midnight green jerseys with white, black, or silver pants. The silver helmets also remained but with midnight green wings and stripes.
Notable Midnight Green Uniforms
| Year | Jersey | Pants | Helmet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Midnight green with black numbers | White | Silver with midnight wings |
| 2003 | Midnight green with black and white accents | White | Silver with midnight wings |
| 2009 | Midnight green with black numbers | Black | Silver with midnight wings |
| 2017 | Midnight green with black numbers | White | Silver with midnight wings |
The Eagles won their first Super Bowl in 2018 wearing the midnight green home jerseys paired with white pants, capturing the Lombardi Trophy in the modern colors.
Retro Uniform Comebacks
While midnight green has been the Eagles’ primary look since 1996, they’ve brought back classic kelly green throwback uniforms as alternate jerseys over the years.
In 2007, they wore 1960s-style kelly green throwbacks for select games. In 2010, they debuted an alternate kelly green jersey paired with white pants modeled after the 1960 championship team’s uniforms. And in 2013-14, the Eagles sported throwbacks replicating their 1975 kelly green jerseys for some games.
These retro alternates are a huge hit with longtime Eagles fans, evoking the historic championship teams and legends like Chuck Bednarik, Steve Van Buren, Tom Brookshier from the franchise’s early days. Many fans still wish kelly green would make a permanent return.
Notable Kelly Green Retro Uniforms
| Year | Jersey | Pants | Helmet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Kelly green with white numbers | White | Silver with kelly wings |
| 2010 | Kelly green with white numbers | White | Silver with kelly wings |
| 2013-14 | Kelly green with white sleeve stripes | White | Silver with kelly wings |
The Future of Eagles Uniforms
Currently, there is speculation that the Eagles are planning to reincorporate kelly green into their uniforms as an alternate jersey in 2023, coinciding with the team’s 90th anniversary season. Team owner Jeffrey Lurie has hinted at bringing kelly green back, which would surely make many longtime fans happy. The team would have to get approval from the NFL for any uniform changes.
It’s likely midnight green will remain the Eagles’ primary color for the foreseeable future. But incorporating elements of kelly green, whether as an alternate jersey or throwback uniform, would be a nostalgic nod to the franchise’s roots and championship heritage.
No matter what colors they wear, the passionate fanbase will continue to bleed Eagles green, retro or modern. The team’s classic winged helmets and green jerseys remain iconic symbols of pride for Philly football.
Conclusion
The Philadelphia Eagles have donned some classic, iconic uniforms over their 90 seasons in the NFL. While midnight green has been their primary color since 1996, kelly green remains deeply connected to the team’s identity and history. Fans still remember the championship Eagles of the 1960s proudly wearing their bright kelly green jerseys.
Hopefully the Eagles will find ways to pay tribute to their roots with kelly green alternate retro uniforms in the future. The classic kelly green and white scheme is cherished by generations of loyal Philly fans. Regardless of what colors they wear on the field, the Eagles will continue to have one of the most passionate fanbases in sports and a legacy of great players wearing the iconic winged helmets.