Bombers uniforms give loyal fans the Blues

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/08/2014 (4230 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Blue and Gold will be exclusively blue this week.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday afternoon unveiled the new Reebok Signature Look uniforms they will wear Friday night at Investors Group Field against the Montreal Alouettes — and the new look is all blue and no gold.

The lack of one of the team’s signature colours in their new uniforms has raised some eyebrows among the team’s faithful and more than a few critics on social media quickly pointed out Tuesday the combination of light and dark blues on the new jerseys makes them look more like the infamous Double Blue of the Toronto Argonauts.

“Uniforms look like Toronto. Give your head a shake Bomber Brass,” was the verdict of one tweeter within moments of the Bombers unveiling the new look.

“I guess the Blue and Gold doesn’t mean the Blue and Gold to Reebok,” was the reaction of another Twitter user.

Bombers QB Drew Willy — who, along with defensive end Jason Vega, modelled the new uniforms at a news conference at IGF yesterday — defended the new look.

“They look pretty cool. With the helmet together, it definitely brings a different look to us. It will be good for one game to get the fans excited,” said Willy. “We’re looking forward to wearing them and hopefully getting a win with them as well.”

And the lack of any gold?

“It’s just one game,” said Willy. “Obviously we’ll always be Blue and Gold.”

The new uniforms — part of a special mid-season promotion all nine CFL teams are taking part in — are trimmed with a blue digital-looking camouflage the team says pays homage to Winnipeg’s deep military roots.

Vega said he’s not sure why people think the new unis look too much like Toronto’s.

“No, I feel like they may have to adjust their imaging, or glasses, or whatever they’re viewing these uniforms with,” said Vega. “I don’t think it’s as close as they think.”

Vega was one of the first to see the new uniforms and said he was sold right from the start.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

“I loved them. I saw them back in early April when I’d gone to Toronto for a Reebok photo shoot. I liked them then and I certainly like the way they’ve been put together up to this point.

“I’m not sure if everyone will be on board with not having any gold on it, but I think it’s a good change. Our (royal blue uniforms) had just a little bit of gold on them. So this is more ‘Believe in Blue’ and the digi-camo is definitely refreshing. So I hope everyone can enjoy that it’s a little bit of a changeup.”

Vega insists the uniforms are a unanimous hit in the Bombers locker-room. “I think all the guys are really into them. And I think that’s a tribute to the fact it’s maybe geared towards a younger generation in a sense.”

The team is selling the new uniforms at the Bombers Store.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek