One day after Phil Knight announced he will be stepping down as the chairman of Nike, the apparel giant added a new college to its expanding family. And, unlike they have done with some other schools, they kept it classy for one of the most historical significant football programs in the country.
Following up on months of speculation on just what they would look like, Tennessee revealed Wednesday its new uniforms across the board after ditching long-time supplier adidas and signing a financially-hefty agreement with rival Nike. The agreement, which will include Nike providing uniforms for all of UT’s men’s and women’s sports, is said to be worth $24 million over the life of the eight-year contract.
Below are a few photos of the new home and away football uniforms. While there are some (minor) changes, Nike still maintained (mostly) a traditional look...
Here it is, your Tennessee Football AWAY uniform pic.twitter.com/Esk0S0cb5t
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) July 1, 2015
Check out the back of the #Vols new helmets! #Checkerboard#Tradition#OneTennessee pic.twitter.com/TWKrCHzXmM
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 1, 2015
Headhunter pic.twitter.com/g6H2Muzr8N
— Vol Photos (@Vol_Photos) July 1, 2015
... with one epically awesome exception:
Those Smoky Mountains are SOOOOO Nice pic.twitter.com/uOImz6ns66
— Vol Photos (@Vol_Photos) July 1, 2015
Last but not least, Here are the official #SmokeyGray Unis for @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/it8GXgRuJk
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) July 1, 2015
Those are the “Smokey Gray” uniforms. And, if you look closely at the helmet, you’ll see the silhouette of the Smokey Mountains. That, my friends, is awesome.
Well-done, Nike. And kudos to UT for (mostly) sticking with what has traditionally worked uniform-wise in the past, with one magnificent twist that the younger generation you’re attempting to recruit to the Vols will certainly be drawn to.
(Photo credit: Tennessee athletics)