After years of meetings, months of discussion, weeks of hype, and days of teasing fans with clues,
It was easy to worry the Cleveland Browns might let their fans down with their new uniform release.
But the Haslams came through with a dramatic social media unveil Wednesday.
True to ourselves.
True to our loyal fans.
True to who we’ll always be.https://t.co/VwRW3sfRSx pic.twitter.com/HbQYZQEu9N— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 15, 2020
And true to their commitment, the uniforms invoke the Cleveland spirit and a nod to Browns history.
Cleveland´s nicely produced introduction highlights the fiber that binds the city to its NFL franchise.
The video melded the old and the new so well that it was difficult to recognize the debuted uniform.
We pay homage to the past and look ahead to the future with our new uniforms
📰: https://t.co/QdX0WYeRkx pic.twitter.com/KkHuSUIT9F
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 15, 2020
Perhaps that is why fans watched it several times on average.
Jimmy and Dee Haslam could not host a news conference or a gala for the introduction.
Dee actually announced months ago the team would likely use social media for the unveiling, anyway.
But to make up for the lack of narrative, the team also released a series of articles and galleries on its website.
Those articles discussed the new uniform features, the decision-making processes, history, and more.
The page showing what the fans jerseys looked like was overwhelmed as buyers scoped out their future wardrobe.
What the Uniforms Look Like
Cleveland unveiled three basic uniforms.
The uniform they believe will be the most-utilized is their home brown-jersey over white pants.
https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1250473308518260739
Their away white jersey over brown is the other main combination.
The Color Rush uniform remains brown over brown.
Orange is reserved for the helmets and striping.
The Browns´ classic 5-striped sleeve was an unnegotiable feature on the basic jerseys.
However, the latest Nike uniform design, the Nike Vapor Untouchable, had to be incorporated.
Thus, Cleveland will not run onto the field in nylon meshed, elbow-lengthed sleeves.
Flip through 📸’s of the uniforms of our past » https://t.co/530iUWlYa0 pic.twitter.com/x2IVu0fGUt
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 14, 2020
Instead, the stripes are emblazoned on the short, tight shoulder-hugging sections of the Nike game jersey.
However, fan jerseys will sport the traditional half-sleeve version with five stripes wrapped all the way around.
Socks will match the jersey stripes, while pants feature the historic 3-stripe combo down the legs.
The team name will not be found anywhere on the jerseys or pants.
However, the number 1946 is emblazoned inside the jersey collars, a nod to the Browns´ first season.
Color Rush uniforms include no stripes on the jerseys or pants.
Cleveland retains the striping on their helmets, but with a return to the traditional glossy smooth finish.
Believe in the Process
While some fans might be disappointed in the lack of orange pants, the uniforms are true to history.
The Haslams initially targetted the early 1980s as the model for this uniform design.
And it didn´t take them five years to realize they needed to change back from their modern and ugly 2015 duds.
2015 reveal vs. 2020 reveal – #Browns uniforms pic.twitter.com/0S5aTJqZtK
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) April 15, 2020
Back in 2017, they presented Nike and the NFL with their first request for a new uniform design.
They told the uniform committee what they wanted from the start.
“Keep it simple.” was one bullet point.
Another said, “Take it back to the studs.”
Pictured below those lines were Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar in 1983 and 1985 uniforms.
Happy 56th Birthday to former Browns’ QB Bernie Kosar. The cerebral signal caller led Cleveland to their most recent division title way back in 1989. The 30 year drought without a division championship is currently the longest in the league. @BernieKosarQB @Browns #CLEvsPIT pic.twitter.com/Z3iG7i0hr5
— Johnstone (@JStoneTrivia86) November 25, 2019
Many of the features of those uniforms paid homage to the Browns of the 40s and 50s.
That was not lost on the Browns´ executive vice-president, JW Johnson.
“Our uniforms have always been iconic. They’ve always been classic. They will forever be iconic and classic now with what we’ve launched and how we feel about them.”
The only feature introduced in 2015 that survived the 2020 makeover is the brown helmet face shield.
Several players got previews of the new uniforms early in the 2019 season.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. is a part of the Browns' new uniform reveal! Thus, it's clear the team plans to keep him! pic.twitter.com/VNfgy9pWPo
— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) March 4, 2020
Nike had to run television viewing tests and photoshoots prior to release.
It is a credit to Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, and others that pictures were not leaked ahead of time.
Buy New Browns Jerseys to Help Cleveland Area Workers
Dee and Jimmy Haslam announced that all net proceeds from the jersey sales will be donated to their latest charity.
The Browns recently launched their “Hats Off to Heroes” fund.
For a significant period of time, the Browns will commit 100 percent of the team's net proceeds from 2020 Browns jersey sales at FirstEnergy Stadium's Pro Shop, in partnership with Legends, and online through Fanatics to the "Hats Off To Our Heroes" Fund beginning Wednesday 4/15
— BrownsProShop (@BrownsProShop) April 14, 2020
Its goal is to help healthcare professionals, first responders, and others currently considered essential personnel.
The team wants to reward these folks, who they describe as
“pivotal in the community year-round and who are valiantly serving as role models in the face of significant adversity (in these trying times).”
Judging from the pre-release hype, the team´s commitment should have a great impact.
Here is a message from Dee Haslam:
NEXT: Are The Browns And Vikings In Trade Discussions For Odell Beckham Jr.?
