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.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
609 comments Add your comment
War Dang Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:03 am
It would be really cool if they blast the theme to “2001: A Space Odyssey” when the Dawgs enter the stadium. Richt could come out dressed as Obi wan Kenobi or, if he wants to inject a little attitude into the mix, like Darth Vader. A little dated, but if we’re going to dress Sci-Fi, why not go all the way?
This all too Georgia Tech for me.
ant627
August 22nd, 2011
11:05 am
Wear the silver pants with them!!!!that would look a lot better
Cousin Curtis
August 22nd, 2011
11:07 am
Not a fan of the unis. To be fair, though, I’m not a fan of anything but the classic badass unis we’ve already got. I wish we’d let the Floridas and Boise States of the world cheese it up with new-fangled uniforms. I’d like to think we’re more like Bama, Penn St, or USC in that regard: old-school, tried & true.
LHarding Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:07 am
What’s fine is the uniforms. If the players like them, I don’t have a problem. What’s not fine, is the so called Georgia fans who are always griping about something. If not this, they would be griping about something else. The university, coach, and athletic director made a good business decision for the school. It’s their job and as far as I can see, they did it well.
As far as the trolls, I don’t give a hoot about you or the trash you write on a Georgia blog. I just pitty you and hope one day you’ll get the help you need.
iceBULLDOGcold11
August 22nd, 2011
11:08 am
Go buy some hanes and stripe a “G” on it and LETS GO PLAY SOME FOOTBALL.
Stinkin' Dog
August 22nd, 2011
11:08 am
And in another clear sign of a program in decline: multiple uniform changes in the desperate hopes of getting a lethargic and overweight fanbase off the couch and ITP to the Georgia Dome.
KSUAlum
August 22nd, 2011
11:09 am
Oh, didn’t read the article; if it’s only for one game, well, fine, whatever. So long as this is not our season-long game-day kit.
Remarkable
August 22nd, 2011
11:10 am
I’ll love them a lot more if they win vs. Boise State.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
August 22nd, 2011
11:12 am
NIKE runs UGA and its spineless coach.
Remarkable
August 22nd, 2011
11:13 am
ant627
Wear the silver pants with them!!!!that would look a lot better.
Actually I think that if you wear Black pants with them they would look good. Just too much red. Never knew that was possible.
Shug
August 22nd, 2011
11:13 am
Have to agree that this is a sign of a declining program. Gimmicks are for losers.
Jeff Head
August 22nd, 2011
11:13 am
Tempest in a tea pot. We only wear the unis for one game, so what is the big deal? Let the players enjoy something different. They pay the price in blood, sweat and tears to play at UGA. I love the traditional unis and would hate to change permanently. This is about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$, Nike, advertising, game hype and all that goes with college football today. Fans need to see college football for what it has become- the minor league system for the NFL. jah
Just Asking
August 22nd, 2011
11:16 am
Hey, Does anyone know what Boise State thinks about their unis? Are they getting upset about their uniforms of getting behind the team?
SAMMY
August 22nd, 2011
11:16 am
I think they are hideous and like someone says looks like the Power Ranger outfits . However it is just one game and if the players like them I don’t see that it is that big of a deal
the fan
August 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
As traditionally here, in America this is just another way to deflect the reality. Changing the uniforms does not solve the problem. The last year should have been already the exit year for MR. We will be having the same, useless discussion in 4 months…
Alphare
August 22nd, 2011
11:18 am
UGA red is dark red, but the new color is deep pink or dark pink.
Why don’t try the uniforms you guys used against BAMA? You don’t have to re-invent the wheel every time.
FuzzyBee
August 22nd, 2011
11:19 am
Next we’ll hear they are painting the grass in Sanford Stadium red !!
If you got no substance, go for flash!
harold
August 22nd, 2011
11:19 am
THESE UNIFORMS ARE A JOKE. AN EMBARRASSMENT!
King Gator
August 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
That #11 in the picture looks like a stiff. More time on spent on uniforms, blackouts, td dances… equals less winning. Go Gators!
AlanW
August 22nd, 2011
11:22 am
“Let the players enjoy something different.”
I agree! How about winning SEC games? is that different enough?
Dawg Gone
August 22nd, 2011
11:23 am
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-bulldogs/2011/8/22/2376891/boise-state-nike-pro-combat-uniform-2011
gdawginkalamazoo
August 22nd, 2011
11:24 am
Look people as a NIKE sponsored team NIKE is the driving force behind this “combat” uni NOT UGA or Mark Richt or the players. It is a promotion for NIKE. I don’t care for the name “combat”. Combat is a word that describes what our soldiers go into when at war. It shouldn’t be taken lightly nor used to describe any sport.
That said, as long as we don’t have a “wardrobe malfuction” like we did for the blackout these will suffice for one game. One thing for sure is that none of the players will be selling these things to an agent for $1,000.
Alphare
August 22nd, 2011
11:24 am
This is basically another way for UGA to get UGA fans to cough up dollars by buying something different. Believe me, if UGA wins against Boise State, just watch how many UGA fans wearing the pink jerseys in the state of Georgia.
Well, you UGA fans have already experienced the ticket purchasing scheme for years. You guys should know the trick better than us outsiders.
Dirty Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:25 am
Chip, since one of my comments the other day included cracks about ‘generally negative’, and ‘what poll did you take’, and ‘trying to stir up trouble’, guess I’ll take another shot at it.
First, thanks for, at least, trying to introduce some ‘fair and balance’ (sorry about that) into the discussion, and obviously you had included players comments previously, but more obviously the trolls, the Richt-haters, and indeed, even those that decided to take a shot based on their belief that the Nike Pro Combat look only appealed to a certain minority – an attitude that is really disturbing but hardly surprising around here, were more than prevalent. As you say this is hardly ’scientific’ for any number of reasons, but it would be interesting to be able to sort out the various ’sub-groups’, including the ones named above, in order to get a better picture.
The unis are what they are – a design that Nike has developed (and continues to refine) based on trends that they’ve picked up on, or created, and incorporated into their business. The ‘look’ that they did for us is as good as any I’ve seen – red, after all, is our primary color and had to be used predominately in this ‘pro-combat’ look…and as I said before, be thankful it ain’t orange or blue (both being looks that Tennessee and Florida long ago wore out in public..and BS will undoubtedly be wearing – shoot they’ve even done it to their football field). As for Richt’s comment about gettin’ over it, clearly he was saying that he knew that the new look wouldn’t go over well with a lot of the fans ( a lot of us older folk have a hard time getting use to standing and cheering simply to support the team in critical situations and/or to distract the opposition’s offense…so maybe if he had said, ’so we can all get use to it’ before Sept. 3, he wouldn’t have been criticized – although to some it wouldn’t matter what he had said since just his continued presence is anathema to some.
I suppose what I’m saying is that if you discount the naysayers – those that wouldn’t give Richt and Bobo credit if they developed a cure for cancer, as well as those that are hanging around here just to rag on Georgia, and worse, those that use the opinion of black athletes to introduce a heinous side of the argument (Lord when will be rid of those among us that truly ‘can’t get over’ that?), then my bet is that you’ll find the majority of Georgia fans in support of the look – particularly if it’s only for this game (and maybe something else somewhere down the line – if we do well in ‘em of course) – and we certainly know how the kids feel about ‘em and after all, trends do start with the young-uns.
Blue Phi
August 22nd, 2011
11:26 am
Love em
Big Albany Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:28 am
I’ve tried to embrace the new uniforms and I’ve struggled with it all weekend, but I just can’t. I understand what the players and coaches feel, but at the end of the day, I feel it’s just another gimmick and if we lose the game….then these things become just more fuel for the fire that Coach just doesn’t need or can afford. Now if he wins, well then I guess we have something to talk about all next spring.
savdawgsince76
August 22nd, 2011
11:29 am
I personally like the uniforms. I also think if you have followed the Nike combat series, since 09 the olny
Dawg R K
August 22nd, 2011
11:32 am
If Ga wins the game with these uniforms, will they wear them every game in Athens this year for good luck?
Jimmy Crack
August 22nd, 2011
11:36 am
You think it looks bad now, wait until 85 peppermint candy canes come running out of the tunnel.
ckgator
August 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
And I thought it was FSU who had the clown college.
Hope Boise State Slaughters the Bulldogs
August 22nd, 2011
11:41 am
I hope that Boise State absolutely slaughters the Bulldogs in their new CLOWN suits – maybe then Mark Richt will have his hand and career handed to him on his tickets on the fastest airplane out of Athens – he is an absolute embarassment as a Coach and As A Man to the University of Georgia and to the state of Georgia…..Goodbye and Good Riddance to Mark Richt!
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:42 am
I know one thing. They used a heck of alot better looking mannequin to unveil that Boise uniform than we got.
Silver Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:42 am
@ Dirty Dawg,
Well put. Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion and I welcome that, but at some point it would like to hear a message of solidarity (trolls excluded) to support the players no matter what they wear. After all, we no longer hear of players being arrested, etc.
There is a link by Dawg Gone above showing the BS unis. They look about the same as they always have. I am very thankful that UGA has no orange in its colors.
Mark RIcht and the Bulldog Uniforms are a JOKE!
August 22nd, 2011
11:44 am
Just like all of his football teams have been Mark Richt and the new uniforms are an absolute JOKE….CMR needs to be run out of town as fast as possible – he is stupid and a moron…..just like most of the football players on this team.
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:44 am
Have his hand handed to him?
MountainDawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:45 am
Those uniforms are a bit tacky IMO. However, the Dawgs best focus on thorough execution on the field & not take BSU too lightly….or they could likely start 0-1. BSU has solid talent & isn’t a “gimme” game.
Fred
August 22nd, 2011
11:46 am
Trying to copy Oregon. Pretty pathetic. Come up with something other than combat uniforms. Try being original. Oh yeah. This is Georgia we are talking about here. They have never had an original thought about anything in Georgia.
Don't Support the Team or Mark Richt
August 22nd, 2011
11:46 am
What a bunch of Jokes this DAWGS football team is…..I truly hope they go with no wins this year….then it will be an easy thing to run CMR on out of Athens….He is a disgrace as a Coach and as an individual human being…….Down with Mark Richt – get out of town while you still have time.
Ben
August 22nd, 2011
11:47 am
When will Georgia learn? The uniforms do not win the game. I really doubt they will intimidate anyone.
NC Dawg
August 22nd, 2011
11:48 am
News flash for Mr. Robinson……….it’s going to matter who’s playing best all 4 quarters, not just the third.
Dacula 1995
August 22nd, 2011
11:49 am
I like the uniforms but it just doesnt seem feel like we will be pulling for our DAWGS with these uniforms on .
Cobby Barfield
August 22nd, 2011
11:50 am
Just support the Dogs ! Some people worry about things that matter the least. Hope for the best and cheer for the Dogs regardless of the uniform!
Dacula 1995
August 22nd, 2011
11:51 am
If Georgia comes out 2-0. Beating Boise and SC I wonder what they will be ranked?
Bronco
August 22nd, 2011
11:52 am
Now the team will look like the joke that it is.
TREY
August 22nd, 2011
11:52 am
BLU SMURF-YOURE NOT GOIN AGAINST IDAHO STATE, WITCHITA TECH AND MONTANA JUNIOR COLLEGE
Santa Cruz Bulldog
August 22nd, 2011
11:52 am
The Bulldogs can play naked and I DO NOT CARE just as long as they win.
Bronco
August 22nd, 2011
11:53 am
If you want to do something cool, come up with an ORIGINAL logo, don’t just use the Green Bay Packers logo.
Bronco
August 22nd, 2011
11:55 am
And good job ripping off the Battle Hymn of the Republic for your song.
Dacula 1995
August 22nd, 2011
11:56 am
Bronco….that is all you have?? WOW!
Bronco
August 22nd, 2011
11:57 am
Good comeback. UGAY and its fans are worthless