Rams fans everywhere are looking for even the slightest hints and clues as to what the team’s plans are regarding their upcoming uniform redesign. The Rams have said very little, other than the fact that it’s going to be a modern take on the team’s history.
A lot of fans have been calling for the Rams to simply keep their current look with the royal blue and yellow throwback uniforms, but with Nike involved in the process, that always seemed unlikely.
Rams COO Kevin Demoff has been active on Twitter engaging with fans about the redesign, and on Monday night, he all but ruled out the Rams keeping the blue and yellow throwbacks as their primary uniforms. He once again used the term “modernize” when discussing the memories fans have watching the team wearing blue and yellow.
David, I would say I get this sentiment from about 75% of Rams fans as well. But to be honest, that’s mainly surveying the current subset of fans that have memories of those teams and that era. Goal of redesign is to take those memories and modernize for next generation https://t.co/o0I3dJ5M4Z
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 17, 2020
The reasoning for the Rams not wearing their throwbacks full-time in 2020 is that the franchise has made so many changes to their uniforms over the years, unlike teams like the Packers, Steelers and Bears. As a result, the Rams want to establish a new era with a different look.
This is another common sentiment we get. I understand that perspective, but unlike those franchises where the uniform tweaks over time have been fairly minor or simple, our franchise has a history of different looks, color schemes and logos. (1/2) https://t.co/Ec2u0oTwMs
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 18, 2020
If our franchise had never changed uniforms, logos or colors, this would be a much different conversation and we could continue the power of that brand. But our history is full of different looks and colors and great teams that played in all of those different uniforms. https://t.co/a3igranRri
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 18, 2020
It’s hard to disagree with that thought process, considering the team moved back from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016 and is opening a brand new stadium this summer. Even if fans would be content with the Rams continuing to wear their current uniforms, the higher-ups in the organization likely want to capitalize on the opportunity that comes with opening a new stadium and introducing new uniforms.
Demoff was also asked by a fan to share his thoughts on a number of the Rams’ past (and concept) uniforms, hoping to get a clue out of the COO. Demoff ruled out two fake uniforms and the hideous navy, gold and white look, but said he has “fondness for all of the other” combinations.
In regards to this exercise, I think most of the “real” jerseys that have a place in Rams history should bring meaning to all Rams fans. So I would exclude 1 & 15 because those aren’t real https://t.co/OZdFjDumPI
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 17, 2020
I also think 11 & 14 should be tossed out because we never should have had to wear those jerseys and thankfully we got the NFL to agree with us, albeit a year too late https://t.co/OZdFjDumPI
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 17, 2020
I have fondness for all of the other ones because they all represent the rich history of our franchise that we all love. And in our process we asked all that were involved to look back at our history for inspiration https://t.co/OZdFjDumPI
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 17, 2020
Demoff ensured his followers that the redesign is about what fans want, not just what the organization or Nike are hoping to accomplish. That’s reassuring for those hoping the team doesn’t make drastic changes, since most fans have been calling for only minor tweaks to the current look.
Finally, this isn’t about what I like, what anybody else at the Rams likes or what Nike likes. It’s a process that involved plenty of fan feedback on colors, logos, imagery and nostalgia. We all carry this franchise forward together as we move into the next era @SoFiStadium https://t.co/OZdFjDumPI
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff) February 17, 2020
Soon enough, we’ll all know what uniforms and colors the Rams will be wearing next season and for (hopefully) many years to come. But for now, we wait – and look for any hints given out by Demoff in the process.