Poll: Georgia’s Nike Pro Combat unis, love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I had to step away from work fairly quickly this past Saturday, not long after I posted my practice update. That update, of course, included a brief report on the new Nike Pro Combat uniforms Georgia is going to wear in the opener against Boise State.
Well, it wasn’t until late Sunday that I got to review what some of the reaction was to that piece. There seemed to be more than a few folks bothered by me using the phrase “generally negative” to describe fan reaction to the new uniforms. A few people, in comments on the blog, asked me to what poll was I referring and accused me of just trying to “stir up trouble” between UGA and its fans without having any real data to support it.
Loading ...So let’s clear this up. My determination was based on the reactions I was getting directly via email, Twitter and Facebook. In fact, those reactions were so decidedly negative that I actually tweeted to ask if there was anybody out there who actually liked the uniforms. Only then did I hear a couple of positive comments, and then they were still few.
But, of course, that is far from scientific. So short of hiring Gallup or some kind of market research company, I figured I’d just throw it out there to the masses this morning with a raw (but still unscientific) poll. So be sure to click one of the selections to the left and check back to see the results.
What do I think? I think I actually like them. I mean, it’s only for one game, right? And the players love them. I tend fall on Mark Richt’s side when it comes to this being something you do for the players and not so much the fans.
In the meantime, just so you have it to reference, following is most everything I got after practice Saturday from players and coaches talking about the uniforms. After this, I plan to retire from writing about uniforms (well at least for about 10 days or so).
LB CHRISTIAN ROBINSON:
“I like them. We’re going to look good!”
“About the third quarter it’s not going to matter because it’s going to wear off and it’s going to matter who’s playing the best. It’s exciting for us to put something new on, but it won’t matter come the third or fourth quarter.
“It really is for the team. I loved the black jerseys when we had them. That was one of the reasons I came here. That was probably the most excited I’ve ever been watching them run out [in 2007]. I was in the end zone right when they broke them out and it was awesome.
“New jerseys excite the team a little bit. It’s something new that you haven’t worn before. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for some of these guys. I might never get to wear the black jerseys again, so it was a once-in-a-lifetime-thing. Again, halfway though the game it’s not going to matter.
“I do like tradition. But I think one game out of the year you can do something new. It’s not like we’re changing our whole style for the whole season. It’s one game. If it’s upsetting somebody that bad, I’m sorry.”
WR TAVARRES KING:
“I love them. I think they’re awesome. We’ve still got to play so it’s not a magic potion or anything. But I love what Nike has done for us. We’re blessed to have those uniforms. I’m excited about them.
“It’s 2011, you know. You’ve got to have a little swag!”
GEORGIA COACH MARK RICHT:
“Well, I think that Nike did a great job of trying to capture a lot of the tradition of Georgia football. Some things are very subtle that the fans may not be able to see but the players can see. . . . I don’t know if the story that’s behind it is going to be released but when it is you’ll be able to read what Nike was thinking when it produced everything.
“But when the players saw it, they liked it and that’s the big thing, that they like it. And it’s a special game. It’s not what we would call a traditional uniform but it’s not a traditional game either. That’s kind of why we did it.
“I think we’re due. We’re due.
“Yeah, I think there are a lot of people that just don’t want to get away from that and I don’t blame them. That’s the reason we’re sticking it out there two weeks in advance, so everybody can get over it. I doubt we’ll do any surprise uniforms anymore. At least everybody’s got time to digest it. If everybodk just thinks about what’s most important and that’s playing the game, I think we’ll all be fine.”
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609 comments Add your comment
Jeff
August 22nd, 2011
9:31 am
I think once again, AJC IS STIRRING THE POT. It is important for everyone to remember, this is a one time deal with unis. Also, NIKE designed them & as I understand it Richt & McGarity had some, but limited input. The players like them, they are a one shot deal, so everyone relax & GET OVER IT!!!
Deanna
August 22nd, 2011
9:33 am
They are hideous and in no way reflect the football traditions of the Georgia Bulldogs or the SEC. I’ll actually be a little bit embarrassed when we run out of the tunnel wearing these.
Uuugghh...
August 22nd, 2011
9:37 am
Literacy – is it for you?
Stealing jokes from John McKay in the ’70’s…takes a lot of the bite out of your insult–just FYI.
Gators Eat Boogers
August 22nd, 2011
9:37 am
We are going to beat Boise so badly that most of you trolls and fair-weather fans on this blog will be begging CMR to bring the combat unis back for the UF Game. These players love these unis and will play good in them.
Mobile Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
9:38 am
Here they come, soulja boy blaring from the speakers in the dome, dreadlocks escaping the confines of those steaking silver helmets, ladies and gentlemen, the 2011 Georgia Bulldogs. Poor Russ, shaking his head. Come on Deanna, don’t you want to shake that thing just a little?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
I elect not even to read the posts. To long and full of fluff.
Beast from the East
August 22nd, 2011
9:44 am
Honestly, I can’t remember this big of a fuss being made over a unifrom. Who cares if they wear pink tutus as long as they win, right?
aprilglaspie
August 22nd, 2011
9:47 am
BSU fans talking about rednecks in GA are a hoot. They do realize that Idaho is the home of the Aryan Brotherhood and all sorts of other neo-Nazi racist organizations and renegade Mormon bigamists, right?
Contractor
August 22nd, 2011
9:47 am
Gators Eat Boogers,
We’re trolls and fair weather fans just because we don’t like these jerseys? I forgot that we have to accept each and everything that comes from the program. Am I a fair weather fan because I was mad we lost seven games last year, or should I just be proud we won six? Dumbest comment of the day goes to you sir.
bucket
August 22nd, 2011
9:52 am
Thanks Beast! UGA is not the only team in history to tinker with the uniform from time to time. We didn’t change the traditional uniform one time last year and we finished 6-7. The uniform doesn’t bring luck or make you a better or worse team. Everyone loved the blackouts when UGA whipped Auburn and Hawaii and now they hate any changes because we were beaten badly the last two times there were changes. We are dealing with young men who like to swap it up from time to time and there is nothing wrong with that. This is not a gimmick that CMR is employing to motivate the team, this was NIKE lead and player endorsed so cheer for the Dawgs and quit worrying about what they will be wearing.
7576DAWG
August 22nd, 2011
9:52 am
I’m not saying that the world is coming to an end , they are just uniforms but what get’s me the most is no thought was put into preserving tradition . Nike can say what they want but they set it up so you would have the blue team against the red team. Colorful as possible. They probably designed the Boise State field.
I could have come up with something everybody would have been proud of instead of dividing the fans. Nobody that is a true Georgia fan especially the alumni really care one way or the other. It certainly isn’t going to matter one iota about our loyalty. But, what get’s to me the most is the lack of thought the ones in charge used when they decided to sell out.
Dylan
August 22nd, 2011
9:53 am
I just don’t understand this. People care more now about what the players will be wearing now rather than the actual game! It’s for one freaking game! If you don’t like them that much, don’t watch the game! You’ll see them for two hours on a playing field and you will never have to look at them again. Just get over it. Georgia will go back to their same classy uniforms the very next week when Spurrier comes to town.
VoyeurDawg
August 22nd, 2011
9:54 am
Dawgs 38 BusyBlueState 17
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
9:55 am
Making “points” is one thing. To outright LIE for no reason that has anything to do with expressing those points is quite another. Folks have differing opinions about football, but when you are a dishonest person, that is just a character flaw.
DawgGrad04
August 22nd, 2011
9:58 am
Nope. But, Go Dawgs! Beat them potato heads!
Looking like Oregon
August 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
Oregon has what? 100+ ugly and obnoxious combos of these things? Is that what we’re aiming for? To be like the Ducks?
Bama Mike
August 22nd, 2011
10:06 am
Georgia is not Oregon. Uniform looks terrible. Georgia’s traditional uniforms are awsome and represent all the great players who have worn those jersey’s. It does look better than those Grambling look alike uniforms CMR brought out against Florida.
7576DAWG
August 22nd, 2011
10:09 am
Oregon has to pimp themselves to get every dollar they can but Georgia is in the top 3 in profit. We don’t have to.
Bulldawg Richie
August 22nd, 2011
10:10 am
I like the change for this one game. If the team loves them, that’s even better as far as I’m concerned. Can’t wait to see them live. Everybody that’s all bent out of shape about the new unies needs to get a life. Those that want to fire CMR need to get some professional help.
Mobile Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:10 am
Agree on those that choose to misrepresent the truth. I don’t have time to read all comments thoroughly enough to catch some stuff. Lack of integrety is a disease. I have known people (habitual liars) who would lie when the truth is actually easier. One of the more memorable quotes I heard through the years, “you don’t have to have near as good a memory when you tell the truth”.
Jon
August 22nd, 2011
10:11 am
I mean, has anybody ever seen a Pro Combat uniform that looked good?
Larry
August 22nd, 2011
10:12 am
Uni’s dont look good at all. Looks like some one threw up cherry jello.
bg
August 22nd, 2011
10:12 am
Dooley didn’t steal the helmet design. He went to the Packer’s organization and asked permission.
Scotty Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
Has anyone seen the new Boise State uniforms? I would like to see a picture posted here…
Ole Yeller Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
Chip, I for one like the uniforms but I can tell you there are going to be a few folks out in Idaho who won’t be so fond of them, after the game! Red trumps Blue all day long! Nike did us a favor by this design.
What about the mouth piece? Dawg fangs maybe…or just to throw those boy’s off from Potato Nation, how about a few of those Bubba teeth mixed in!!!
Win or lose, for this is just a game, I am proud of our 2011 Bulldog team…I know that they have worked hard all summer long, for this very moment!
Put a little RED on that BLUE, lets show them what SEC football is all about…GATA!
IowaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:15 am
Good God people! Coach Richt had nothing to with this. Nike is a sponser, they provide all sorts of free equipment and get to have their logo pasted all over the place for it. So what. The uniforms are ok… that’s it, just ok. I don’t love them and I don’t hate them. If there were any real fans left you might know that the dawgs wore white pants forever. The red helmets didn’t come along until Vince took over. The old helmets were SILVER. Things change. I don’t care what they wear, they are still my Georgia Bulldogs.
As for the idiots that wonder why Auburn and Alabama don’t change their uniforms… HA! Bama wears practice uniforms. If the AD at either of those schools tried to do something like this they would be lynched….literally. That is because the fans and alumni take a damned game too seriously and equate their self worth with what a bunch of college age boys do on a football field. Get real people.
Go DAWGS!
Tobias Funke
August 22nd, 2011
10:16 am
I didn’t like them at first. They are starting to grow on me.
The pic above is terrible. Go to Nike’s website and look at the model. There is a person wearing the uni, and it looks much better. Silver helmet is sweet (without the fat red stripe).
sluggo
August 22nd, 2011
10:16 am
It’s just too bad that they have to keep chipping away at the tradition of what UGA uniforms have looked like for the longest time. We’re seeing it at other schools as well. We live in a time where television and sporting goods companies rule college and professional athletics. It’s too bad…
markie mark
August 22nd, 2011
10:17 am
FUGLY!!
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:18 am
yes, lets hope some blue smudges help the looks of those helmets.
munsondawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:18 am
You folks hanging onto “Tradition” and the early 80’s need to get a life.
Bob
August 22nd, 2011
10:19 am
I think they’re hideous, but that doesn’t mean I don’t support the players. The question was posed, and I responded honestly. I’m glad my parents didn’t let me wear parachute pants when I was a kid, and I think the Dawgs will be thankful one day when they get older and the AD doesn’t let them keep these clown suits. But, even if we’re playing in silver parachute pants…GO DAWGS!!
Tobias Funke
August 22nd, 2011
10:20 am
All black would have looked alot better. 2 weeks away. Go Dawgs.
vesaversa
August 22nd, 2011
10:20 am
I really like the new Ga. BullDawgs uniforms .It was way pass time put away the old ones . The UGA can generate new revenue by selling the old retro uniforms to the fans if that what they like .Go DAWGS
Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot!
August 22nd, 2011
10:20 am
Reason number 1 these helmets should never see the light of day!
http://www.helmethut.com/College/Ohio%20State/OHXOSU6565.html
Bob
August 22nd, 2011
10:22 am
By the way, while I appreciate tradition, this isn’t about tradition. It’s about aesthetics, and these goob suits are not worthy of our Dawgs, other than as a little, hopefully not-too-distracting gimmick to temporarily boost morale. The unis are just plain ugly. It’s almost like whoever designed them went to Tech and is playing a very successful joke on us. Still, GO DAWGS!!
57dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
for all you traditionalist, put it to bed. Dawgs have changed uni’s several times over the years. From the silver helmet to red. from blood red jerseys to bright red jerseys. As a fan, the game is for you to enjoy, not the uniform.As long as it is red,black, silver, or white I could care less about the combination. By the way, for all the traditionalist, do you realize we no longer wear silver britches. They are grey matte.
Athens Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
They are going to look better on the players.
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
August 22nd, 2011
10:23 am
I didn’t have much of a different expectation after I saw Nike made them. Just like Oregon, very distracting and does not make up for a subpar team wearing them!
Hideous Power Rangers looking Uni’s
Makes me appreciate Auburn Tigers in Under Armor…
Delbert D.
August 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
The game will be on radio. You don’t have to watch.
NomNomNomATL
August 22nd, 2011
10:24 am
Looks like Ohio State
Bob
August 22nd, 2011
10:25 am
…not about tradition. It’s about ugly. The best team in the country should look like the best team in the country, and these halloween costumes don’t accomplish that. I don’t want “WOOF WOOF” to be chanted at the game for the wrong reasons.
WDE
August 22nd, 2011
10:25 am
@Jon you bring up a good point..I have never seen a good looking “Pro Combat” uniform come to think of it..not once.
bucket
August 22nd, 2011
10:25 am
If the photo I saw was correct, Boise will be wearing blue pants, grey jerseys w/ blue numbers and blue helmets. Very little orange on the undershirt.
dmr
August 22nd, 2011
10:26 am
The Nike Unis are like a Tuesday night girl you met in a bar after 5 drinks. Looks good at first. Will do for the night. The next morning…it’s time to go back to being more traditional.
Bob
August 22nd, 2011
10:26 am
Not liking the unis is not equal to not liking the Dawgs wearing them. Victory will be sweet to watch in any kind of get-up.
UGA Alumni
August 22nd, 2011
10:27 am
FIRE GREG McGARITY!!!! Those uniforms are an embarrassment to the University of Georgia! They are so ugly it hurts!
bucket
August 22nd, 2011
10:28 am
I agree with the above posts that we will all like the UGA uniforms alot better when we see them on the actual 80+ players running out on the field at the Georgia Dome.
Reality Check
August 22nd, 2011
10:30 am
Talk about pressure!!! If Mark Richt loses to Boise State in those horribly ugly demeaning uniforms. the Dawgnation will come to his house and move him out of town!
As a life long Dawg fan I find those uniforms not only embarrassing but a humiliation!
Why in the world did McGarity and Richt approve this? It is disgusting!
Uuugghh...
August 22nd, 2011
10:30 am
Alabama wore them last year and didn’t have to change their helmet, pants, or jerseys at all. Maybe Saban just had the cajones to stand up to Nike and say no.
That being said…I am hoping a photographer will arrange the team into the shape of a Christmas tree on the field before the game. That picture would make a fine Christmas card for the University. That Poinsettia red will really “pop” against the green background. Go Dawgs! (Spirit Fingers set to high gear.)