- The Detroit Lions have unveiled new uniforms that draw inspiration from the Ford Bronco and Mustang.
- The NFL team is owned by the Ford family and plays at Ford Field.
For decades, the Detroit Lions have been the automotive equivalent of a Pinto. They gave dumpster fires a bad name and finished the 2008 season without a single win.
However, things have turned around under the leadership of Sheila Ford Hamp and coach Dan Campbell. Last year, the team had an impressive showing as they finished 12–5 and made it to the NFC Championship.
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Now that the Lions are no longer the embarrassment that they once were, Ford is more than happy to highlight the connection. That’s ringing true today as the Lions have unveiled new uniforms that draw inspiration from the Bronco and Mustang.
While the resemblance is hard to see, the team said “The SUV served as a muse … in taking a classic look and creating a sharper interpretation for the modern era.” The resulting designs are billed as a “fresh take of the uniforms worn by the early 90s teams,” which is shortly before the Bronco went out of production in 1996.
That isn’t the only connection as the “striping across various pieces of the uniform were … inspired by the sleek design commonly seen on the iconic Mustang.” In layman’s terms, the team is talking about hood and body stripes.
Ford’s global chief marketing officer, Lisa Materazzo, noted “Ford and the Lions have a rich, shared history grounded in Detroit heritage. We’re proud that the Ford Bronco and the iconic Mustang served as inspiration for elements of their new uniforms and [are] excited to see the Lions when they proudly represent Detroit in Ford Field and celebrate our shared passion for football.”
Besides taking a few cues from the automotive industry, the uniforms combine Honolulu Blue with Silver and White. Despite being a tad retro, they’re equipped with Dri-Fit technology and are two times more breathable than the previous uniforms.