The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The Panthers were founded in 1993 and began play in 1995 as an expansion team. Since then, they have made two Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 and Super Bowl 50 in 2016). The Panthers have worn various shades of blue throughout their history, which has become a signature color for the team.
History of the Panthers Uniform
When the Carolina Panthers debuted in 1995, their original uniforms featured a shade of blue that was distinctly lighter and brighter than the blue worn by most other NFL teams at the time. Their first official team colors were black, blue, and silver. The main jerseys were a bright metallic blue with black numbers outlined in silver. This unique Carolina blue stood out on the field and helped define the new expansion franchise.
In 2002, the Panthers underwent a uniform redesign. The new look featured a darker blue for the jerseys. Dubbed “accelerator blue,” it was almost a royal blue shade. The silver accents were also replaced with white. Overall, the 2002 uniform scheme was meant to lend a more classic, traditional NFL look to the young Panthers franchise.
Another uniform overhaul came in 2012. Carolina blue returned, though a bit darker than the original 1990s version. The exact hue was dubbed “process blue” as it was inspired by the printing process colors used for comic books. Minor tweaks were added to the blue jerseys over the next decade, but process blue remained the team’s primary look.
What Shade of Blue Do the Panthers Wear Now?
Currently, the Carolina Panthers wear Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors PMS 654 C and 655 C on their uniforms. PMS is a standardized color matching system used in printing and design. According to Pantone, PMS 654 C is known as Varsity Blue. It is described as a “rich, deep blue with purple undertones.” PMS 655 C meanwhile is Liberty Blue, defined as a “bright, quite pure blue.”
Together, Varsity Blue (PMS 654 C) and Liberty Blue (PMS 655 C) create the distinct process blue shade worn by the Panthers today. The darker Varsity Blue serves as the primary color for the jerseys and pants. It provides a deep blue tone while still allowing the brighter Liberty Blue accents to pop. This creates a rich, dimensional blue that is both dark and vibrant.
When converting the PMS colors to other color models, the Panthers blues correspond to:
– Hex Triplet: #084099 (Varsity Blue), #0087DC (Liberty Blue)
– RGB: 8, 64, 153 (Varsity Blue), 0, 135, 220 (Liberty Blue)
– CMYK: 100, 58, 0, 40 (Varsity Blue), 91, 39, 0, 14 (Liberty Blue)
So while Carolina Panthers blue may simply be described as a shade of blue, there is more nuance and thought behind the exact hues chosen according to the Pantone system. The team has utilized different variations of blue in its history, but since 2012 has maintained the same core uniform identity.
Meaning and Symbolism of Panthers Blue
Beyond just aesthetics, the blue hues worn by the Carolina Panthers also hold symbolic meaning. According to team officials, the blue represents “excellence, invincibility and expansion.” It was chosen to evoke a feeling of overcoming great odds, just as the team had to do as a new expansion franchise in the 1990s. The color is meant to signify immense potential and youthful energy.
The darker Varsity Blue specifically brings a “commanding, confident, classic” look according to the Panthers’ branding guide. It has a collegiate, yet sophisticated vibe. The brighter Liberty Blue meanwhile represents “innovation, modernity, and technology” as well as encouraging “hope and compassion.” Together, these shades reflect the vision of the Carolina Panthers franchise.
Additionally, the blue hues connect to the local geography and history that the Panthers represent. With the light sky blue, the color palette reflects the beauty of Charlotte and the Carolinas environment. The darker blue also gives a subtle nod to the blue uniforms worn by the University of North Carolina, where many Panthers players have come from over the years.
Use of Blue by Other NFL Teams
While the Panthers’ process blue sets them apart, blue is a popular primary or secondary color for many NFL franchises. Current NFL teams that also utilize some shade of blue in their color schemes include:
– Buffalo Bills (PMS 281 C)
– Denver Broncos (PMS 289 C)
– Detroit Lions (PMS 288 C)
– Indianapolis Colts (PMS 289 C)
– New York Giants (PMS 288 C)
– New York Jets (PMS 289 C)
– San Diego Chargers (PMS 292 C)
Shades range from the brighter powder blues of teams like the Chargers, to darker navy blues worn by the Giants and Bills. Oftentimes, blue is paired with a contrasting orange or red as well. Blue is known as a cool, calming, reliable color, which are attributes many teams want associated with their brand. The variety of blues used in the NFL shows how teams tailor shades to create their own unique identities.
Conclusion
Through its evolving uniform history, the Carolina Panthers have always incorporated some shade of blue that distinctly represents the franchise. While the exact hue has changed over the years, the vibrant Carolina blues have created an iconic look for the team. Today, the Panthers wear a carefully crafted process blue that combines PMS 654 C Varsity Blue and PMS 655 C Liberty Blue. This rich, dimensional shade symbolizes the team’s vision, connects to local geography and history, and allows the Panthers to stand out in the NFL’s sea of blues. So while Carolina blue may appear similar to other football blues at first glance, its subtle intricacies give the Panthers an unmistakable, commanding visual identity.
| Hue | PMS Number | Common Name |
|---|---|---|
| Varsity Blue | PMS 654 C | Primary blue |
| Liberty Blue | PMS 655 C | Accent blue |