This article is as much for you as it is for me. Football was always my first love and I played it from 5th grade through high school. I was a guard and linebacker under both 6 feet and 190 pounds so you can guess at the number of college teams that had an interest in me. My 40-yard dash split was best timed with a calendar. I tell my children that the only things that kept me from being a major Division I recruit were size and talent. I did however play on some of those great Packer Championship teams…Oh, for truth in lending that would have been the St. Margaret of Cortona Packers in the Greater Cincinnati Catholic Youth Organization League. Lest I digress any further.
This past fall I decided that would begin to re-educate myself on football uniforms. I had to decide on a project that would focus my efforts and provide you with something I hope is worthwhile. I decided that a study of Super Bowl uniforms would do both. Looking at football game used items is a bit more complex that baseball in that you have any number of additional variables to consider in terms of fabrics and styles. In addition, football helmets are far for collectable than their baseball counterparts. They too are more complex in that the variables involved are also more numerous. Please notice that I used the word complex and not difficult.
Any person who has developed solid analytical skills, proven processes and procedures, and supported by solid references and databases can do work in this field. These are all strengths for MEARS and go back to my basic belief that the first step is to understand “what right should look like.” Before you can begin to evaluate uniforms, you have to know what to look for and how to find it. Consider that if you have a photograph of a player wearing a jersey in a game and an actual jersey, the one thing you know for sure is that the jersey in the picture is what right is. So many times collectors will begin their efforts looking almost exclusively at uniforms in the hobby. While I admit this is probably more enjoyable than plowing through images, it can be just as equally unproductive. How many times have you heard someone say a jersey is either good or bad simply because it’s either “like or not like mine…” The basis for comparison must include a known good exemplar rather than simply something on hand.
For this piece on Super Bowl uniforms, I focused my efforts only on those images that could be pinpointed to the actual event. This is important as many images in print or on-line may be attributed to an event, but not actually from it. I felt that I had to have a somewhat narrow focus and force myself to look for the same things, the same way every time. There is a great deal you can discern from simply looking at images. Take fabric for instance. Sewn on lettering and numbering are thicker than those that are screened on and you will notice differences in the way they layer and react to light. Screened on applications are more reflective and thinner, thus often showing the under fabric pattern especially with mesh jerseys.
Dating helmets is also interesting from an imagery analysis perspective. As helmets have evolved in terms of design and player safety, they provide external clues that are often over looked as well. Where the facemasks attached with Phillips or flat head screws? What does the external rivet pattern tell you about what the internal suspension should look like? When did the color and style of a facemask change for a team? Are there player numbers on the helmet, and if so, where are they located and how are they applied? Are there special or “year only memorial ” markings or numbers on the helmet? Are there multiple manufacturers for helmets for a team in the same given year? Are there subtle differences in a team logo that can date the helmet? These are more thought pieces than anything else, but they were things I had not considered prior to working on this article..
A primary goal of MEARS is that of education…educating both ourselves and our readers. I hope I have done this for you in the same manner as I have done it for myself. If you are a “team collector”, consider doing this for your club using the same manner and format that I have done for the Super Bowl and sharing it with the hobby at large. I am sure there are things I have missed and there may be no shortage of people willing to point those things out. I have no problem with this, however I only those same individuals to consider that without a stating point, what would you have to criticize? Take a chance and put what you know and have seen down on paper or electrons so that everyone can benefit…I know I have.
Super Bowl I: January 15, 1967
Green Bay Packers (NFL) Vs Kansas City Chiefs (AFL)
Packers: Home green dureen crew neck jersey featuring white sewn on numbers front and back. Secondary numerals on upper sleeve above piping pattern in white as well also sewn on. Most jerseys feature ¾ sleeve length. Sleeve band pattern is yellow, white, yellow (wide), white, and yellow. No names on backs of jerseys. Helmets feature a yellow shell, G logo on both sides and center bands of green, white, and green. Player numbers stenciled on either side of green center stripes. Facemask is grey.
Chiefs: Road white dureen crew neck jersey with sewn on numbers on front and back sleeve. Secondary numbers on upper arm. Jerseys feature names on the back in straight block lettering. Helmets feature a red shell, KC Arrowhead logo and no center stripe. Helmets are without player numbers. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Bart Star
Super Bowl II: January 14, 1968
Green Bay Packers (NFL) Vs Oakland Raiders (AFL)
Packers: Road white dureen crew neck jerseys. No names on the back. Numbers are green and sewn on. Secondary numbers in green on upper sleeve above sleeve bands of green, yellow, green, yellow, and green. Helmets feature a yellow shell, G logo on both sides and center bands of green, white, and green. Player numbers stenciled on either side of green center stripes. Facemask is grey. NOTE: From a player specific perspective, Bart Starr’s helmets features a two-bar facemask as opposed to the single bar version he wore in Super Bowl I.
Raiders: Home black jerseys with player name on back in white. Player numbers in white and sewn on. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve. Helmets features a silver shell and Raider logo on both sides. Player numbers on back in black on either side of black center stripe. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Bart Star
Super Bowl III: January 12, 1969
New York Jets (AFL) Vs Baltimore Colts (NFL)
Jets: Road white crew neck jersey with player names on back. Names in green sewn to a white plate. Numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers in white within wide green band on upper arm. Shoulder features single green should band. Sleeve lengths vary and longer or more full sleeves have a band pattern a single green stripe between two wide white fields. Helmet features NY JETS logo on green oval field on both sides of the helmet with two green center stripes. No player numbers on helmet. Facemask is grey.
Colts: Home blue crew neck dureen jersey. No names on back. Numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers on upper arm, below two white shoulder bands. Player numbers on back of helmet either side of blue center stripe. Helmet features COLT Horse Shoe logo in blue on both sides. Single blue center stripe. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Joe Namath
Super Bowl IV: January 11, 1970
Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) Vs Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
Chiefs: Home red crew neck durene jersey with 10th Anniversary AFL Patch on left shoulder. Names on back of jersey in white and sewn on. Primary numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers in white on upper arm above sleeve bands of white (wide), orange (narrow), and white (wide). Helmet features KC Arrowhead logo and no center stripe or player numbers. Facemask is grey. NOTE: According to an article at www.kcchiefs.com/history/uniform, “After winning the AFL Championship Game, Stram orders new red jerseys to be worn in Super Bowl IV and they are delivered just days before the game. Stram also directs equipment manager Bobby Yarborough to have all the helmets repainted before the Super Bowl, but relents after players insist on wearing their “battle-scarred” headgear. The “AFL-10” patch worn on the left shoulder of Kansas City’s jerseys in Super Bowl IV is the brainchild of AFL President Milt Woodard. During the entire ‘69 season, all NFL teams wear an “NFL-50” patch which commemorates the NFL’s 50th Anniversary season. Woodard counters with a patch of his own to celebrate the 10-year existence of the AFL, which is proudly worn by the Chiefs on behalf of the entire AFL in their 23-7 victory vs. Minnesota.” This same article also goes on to mention that the Chiefs went to knit jerseys with screened on numbers the following year.
Vikings: Road white crew neck jerseys with 50th Anniversary NFL patch on left shoulder. No names on jerseys. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers in purple on upper arm below should bands of purple, yellow, and purple. Helmet features white Viking horn and no center stripe or player numbers. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Len Dawson
Super Bowl V: January 17, 1971
Baltimore Colts (AFC) Vs Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
Colts: Road White crew neck jerseys with player names on the back. Lettering is a smaller block style on a white plate. Secondary numbers on upper arm below blue shoulder trim. Helmet features player numbers on the back and COLT Horse Shoe logo in blue on both sides. Single blue center stripe. Facemask is grey.
Cowboys: Home blue crew neck dureen jerseys with names on the back. Numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers in white on upper arm above two wide white sleeve bands. Helmets feature grey shell with Star of Texas Logo on both sides. Center band pattern is blue, white blue with player name on rear of helmets, centered on white strip done with blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Chuck Howley
Super Bowl VI: January 16, 1972
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) Vs Miami Dolphins (AFC)
Cowboys: Road white crew neck jerseys with names on the back in blue on white plate. Secondary numbers in blue on upper arm above two blue sleeve bands on lower portion of the sleeve Helmets feature grey shell with Star of Texas Logo on both sides. Center band pattern is blue, white blue with player name on rear of helmets, centered on white strip done with blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey.
Dolphins: Home aqua v-neck tight knit jerseys with names on the back. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve in white over orange. Numbering is sewn on. Sleeves are without any color bands. Helmet is a white shell with Dolphins logo on both sides. Center bands are aqua, orange, and aqua. Player numbers in orange on back of helmet over the aqua bands. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Roger Staubach
Super Bowl VII: January 14, 1973
Miami Dolphins (AFC) Vs Washington Redskins (NFC)
Dolphins: Road white tight mesh jerseys with names on the back. While the vast majority of the jerseys feature sleeve band coloring of aqua (narrow), orange (wide) aqua(narrow) orange (wide) aqua (narrow), jerseys worn by #12 Bob Griese, #39 Larry Csonka, #13 Jake Scott, and others are without any color band pattern on sleeves. This is not due to sleeves being trimmed as these jerseys without color sleeve bands extend down past where this color pattern appears on the other jerseys. The secondary numbers on these jerseys have a larger orange background as well. Numbers are aqua over orange and are sewn on, to include the secondary numbers on the sleeves. Helmet is a white shell with Dolphins logo on both sides. Center bands are aqua, orange, and aqua. Player numbers in orange on back of helmet over the aqua bands. Facemask is grey.
Redskins: Home burgundy jerseys with player names sewn on the back. Secondary numbers in white on upper sleeve above colored sleeve bands; yellow (wide), white (narrow), yellow (wide), white (narrow) and yellow (wide). Helmets features Indian head logo player numbers in white on either side of center bands of white, yellow, and white. Player numbers in white on rear of helmet on either side of the center striping. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Jake Scott
Super Bowl VIII: January 13, 1974
Miami Dolphins (AFC) Vs Minnesota Vikings (NFC)
Dolphins: Home aqua v-neck tight knit mesh jerseys with names on the back. Jersey sleeve stripe pattern is white, aqua, orange, aqua, white. Some players like Bob Griese and Larry Csonka show an abbreviated sleeve pattern as the sleeves are shorter. Numbers are white over orange and are screened on. Secondary numbers are on upper arm above sleeve band pattern. Helmets feature orange player numbers affixed to the back to the back of the helmet over the aqua strip. Facemask is grey.
Vikings: Road white tight knit mesh jerseys crew neck jerseys. Player names on back on white plate. Numbers are purple and are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve below shoulder bands of purple, yellow, and purple. Helmets feature white Viking horn emblem and are without any sort of player number identification. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Larry Csonka
Super Bowl IX: January 12, 1975
Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC) Vs Minnesota Vikings (NFC)
Steelers: Road white crew neck jerseys with names applied to the back on a white plate in gold over black. Lettering and numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers in black on shoulders. Sleeve band pattern is black (thin), yellow (narrow), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (wide), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (narrow), and black (thin). Helmets feature Steeler logo ONLY on right side (as worn) with player numbers in white on front and back on either side of yellow center band.
Vikings: Home purple crew neck tight knit mesh jerseys with player names on back in white on purple plate. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve in white above sleeve bands of yellow (narrow), purple (narrow), white (wide), purple (narrow) and yellow (narrow). Helmets feature purple shell and Viking horn logo in white and are without any player number identification. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Franco Harris
Super Bowl X: January 18, 1976
Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC) Vs Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
Steelers: Home black jerseys with names on back in yellow on black plate. Bi-Centennial Patch on left shoulder. Secondary numbers on lower shoulder/upper arm above sleeve bands of black (thin), yellow (narrow), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (wide), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (narrow), and black (thin). Numbers are sewn on. Helmets feature Steelers logo ONLY on right side (as worn) and player number on both front and back in white on either side of yellow helmet stripe. Facemask is grey.
Cowboys: Road white crew neck tight knit jerseys with player names on back on white plate. Numbers are screened on. Bi-Centennial Patch on left upper sleeve. Sleeves feature two wide blue bands. Secondary numbers in blue on shoulders. Helmets feature silver shell and Star of Texas logo on both sides. Center color bands of blue, white and blue. Player names on back center of blue strip done in blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Lynn Swann
Super Bowl XI: January 9, 1977
Oakland Raiders (AFC) Vs Minnesota Vikings (NFC)
Raiders: Road white v-neck knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back. Numbers are black over white and are sewn on. Secondary numbers in black on upper sleeve. Helmets are a silver shell and feature Raider logo, black center stripe, and player numbers on back in black on either side of black center band. Facemask is grey.
Vikings: Home purple knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back in white on purple plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve in white above sleeve bands of yellow (narrow), purple (narrow), white (wide), purple (narrow) and yellow (narrow). Helmets feature purple shell with Viking horn logo in white and without any player number identification. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Fred Bilentnikoff
Super Bowl XII: January 15, 1978
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) Vs Denver Broncos (AFC)
Cowboys: Road white crew neck knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back. Secondary numbers in blue on shoulder. Numbers are screened on. Sleeve band pattern in blue (wide), white (narrow) and blue (wide). Helmets feature silver shell and Star of Texas logo on both sides. Center color bands of blue, white and blue. Player names on back center of blue strip done in blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey.
Broncos: Home orange crew neck knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back in white on orange plate. Primary numbers are white trimmed in blue and are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve in white above sleeve bands of blue (narrow), white (narrow), and blue (narrow). Helmet is a blue shell and features D & “Snorting” Bronco logo both sides with center bands of white, orange, and white. Player numbers on rear of helmet in white. Facemask is white.
Most Valuable Player: Randy White & Harvey Martin
Super Bowl XIII: January 21, 1979
Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC) Vs Dallas Cowboys (NFC)
Steelers: Home black jerseys with names on back in yellow. Secondary numbers on lower shoulder/upper arm above sleeve bands of black (thin), yellow (narrow), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (wide), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (narrow), and black (thin). Helmets feature Steeler logo ONLY on right side (as worn) and player number on both front and back in white on either side of yellow helmet stripe. Facemask is black as opposed to grey in years past. Of note, while it appears the majority of other Steelers’s helmets are manufactured by RIDDELL, the helmet Terry Bradshaw is wearing features the RAWLINGS identification in red featured between front center facemask mounting clips. In addition, the script “R” for Rawlings is found on the right rear of the helmet between the numbering and the STEELER helmet logo.
Cowboys: Road white crew neck knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back in blue on white plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers in blue on shoulder. Sleeve band pattern in blue (wide), white (narrow) and blue (wide). Helmets feature Star of Texas logo on both sides. Center color bands of blue, white and blue. Player names on back center of blue strip done in blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Terry Bradshaw
Super Bowl XIV: January 20, 1980
Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC) Vs Los Angeles Rams (NFC)
Steelers: Home black jerseys with names on back in yellow. Secondary numbers on lower shoulder/upper arm above sleeve bands of black (thin), yellow (narrow), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (wide), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (narrow), and black (thin). Numbers are sewn on in white. Helmets feature Steeler’s logo ONLY on right side (as worn) and player number on both front and back in white on either side of yellow helmet stripe. Facemask is black.
Rams: Road white v-neck mesh/knit jerseys with blue collar trim. Names on back in blue on white plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers are on upper shoulder in blue set against yellow field; below blue winding Ram Horn band pattern. Helmets feature yellow Ram Horn logo and are without player number identification. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Terry Brandshaw
Super Bowl XV: January 25, 1981
Oakland Raiders (AFC) Vs Philadelphia Eagles (NFC)
Raiders: Road white v-neck knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back in black on white plate. Numbers are black over white and are sewn on. Secondary numbers in black on upper sleeve. Helmets are a silver shell and feature Raider logo, black center stripe, and player numbers on back in black on either side of black center band. Facemask is grey. Yellow rectangle band on center rear of helmets. (Sign of support for recently released American hostages from Iran on 20 January 1981).
Eagles: Home green v-neck knit/mesh body jerseys with player name on back in white on green plate. Jersey has white collar trim. Primary numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers in white on shoulders. Upper sleeves are white cut with single narrow silver and green bands. Helmet features white Eagle wing logo on both sides and are without player number identification. Facemask is grey. Yellow rectangle band on center rear of helmets. (Sign of support for recently released American hostages from Iran on 20 January 1981).
Most Valuable Player: Jim Plunkett
Super Bowl XVI: January 24, 1982
San Francisco 49ers (NFC) Vs Cincinnati Bengals (AFC)
49ers: Road white v-neck jerseys with player names on back. Names are in red and screened to a white plate. Jersey is mesh body with mesh knit shoulders with screened on numbers. Secondary numbers are in red on upper sleeve above three red sleeve bands, also screened on. Helmet features white SF logo on red field with center bands of red (narrow), white (wide) and red (narrow). Facemask is grey.
Bengals: Home black jerseys with player names on back in white. All numbering is screened on. Secondary numbers in white on upper sleeve below wide orange field with black “Tiger Stripes”. Helmets are orange and feature black “Tiger Stripes” in varying lengths running width wise on helmet. Player number in black on rear. Facemask in black.
Most Valuable Player: Joe Montana
Super Bowl XVII: January 30, 1983
Washington Redskins (NFC) Vs Miami Dolphins (AFC)
Redskins: Road white v-neck mesh/knit jerseys with player names on back in burgundy on white plate. Collar trimmed in burgundy. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers in burgundy trimmed in gold on upper sleeve. Sleeve bands are one each in burgundy and gold (equally wide). Helmets feature Indian head logo player numbers in white on both sides. Center bands of white, yellow, and white. Facemask is gold.
Dolphins: Home aqua v-neck knit jerseys with player names on back in white on aqua plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve in white trimmed in orange. Sleeve band pattern below numbers is white (narrow), orange (narrow), white (wide), orange (narrow) and white (narrow). Helmet features Dolphin logo on both sides with center color bands of aqua, orange, and aqua. Player numbers in orange on back on either side of aqua stripes. Facemask is aqua. NOTE: The Dolphin Logo on the side of the helmet has changed since Super Bowl VIII in that the helmeted Dolphin now extends outside of the upper part of the orange circle.
Most Valuable Player: John Riggins
Super Bowl XVIII: January 22, 1984
Oakland Raiders (AFC) Vs Washington Redskins (NFC)
Redskins: Road white v-neck mesh/knit jerseys with player names on back in burgundy on white plate. Collar trimmed in burgundy. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers in burgundy trimmed in gold on upper sleeve. Sleeve bands are one each in burgundy and gold (equally wide). Helmets feature Indian head logo. Center bands of white, yellow, and white. Facemask is gold. (Player numbers do not seem to appear on the back of the helmets as they did in the previous years Super Bowl). NOTE: While the general helmet Indian logo appears to be the same, a comparison with those worn in the previous year’s Super Bowl shows that the head-dress feathers on the back of the logo now come down and away from the logo as opposed to wrapping around the underside. This “down and away” alignment is more reminiscent of the style worn by the Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
Raiders: Home black jerseys with player names on back in white on black plate. Numbers are sewn on. Secondary numbers in white on upper arm/lower shoulder in white. Helmets feature Raider logo on both sides and single black center band. Player numbers in black on back on either side of black center band. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Marcus Allen
Super Bowl XIX: January 20, 1985
San Francisco 49ers (NFC) Vs Miami Dolphins (NFC)
49ers: Home red v-neck knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back in white. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm in white above three equally wide white bands. Helmet features white SF logo on field of red. Center color bands of red, white and red run length wise. Facemask is grey and “49ers” is featured between front center facemask mounting clips on majority of helmets.
Dolphins: Road white mesh body v-neck jerseys with player names on back in aqua on a white plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm in aqua trimmed in orange and above sleeve band pattern of aqua (narrow), white (thin), orange (narrow), white (thin), aqua (narrow, but slightly wider), white (thin), orange (narrow), white, (thin) and aqua (narrow). Helmet features Dolphin both sides. Center bands of aqua (narrow), orange (wider) and aqua (narrow). Player numbers are in orange on back of the helmet outside the aqua stripe. #20 in white on black field on back left side (as worn) of the helmet. Facemask is aqua.
Most Valuable Player: Joe Montana
Super Bowl XX: January 26, 1986
Chicago Bears (NFC) Vs New England Patriots (AFC)
Bears: Road white crew neck mesh jerseys with screened on numbers. Player name on back on mesh knit plate. Secondary numbers on upper arm above sleeve band pattern of black, white, orange, black, and white. Centered within this band pattern is are the black block letters “GSH” in memoriam for George Halas. Helmets feature “C” Chicago logo on both sides with is without and color center bands. Facemask is black and features BEARS between front center facemask mounting clips on some helmets.
Patriots: Home red knit/mesh jerseys with player names on back in white on red plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm below shoulder band pattern of a blue stripe within a larger field of white. Helmets features “Lineman Stance Patriot Logo on both sides with center band color pattern of red, blue and red. Facemask is white. Player numbers in blue on back of helmet over the red outer stripes.
Most Valuable Player: Richard Dent
Super Bowl XXI: January 25, 1987
New York Giants (NFC) Vs Denver Broncos (AFC)
Giants: Home blue v-neck jerseys with players name on back. Collar trimmed in red, white, red pattern. Mesh knit body. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm in white above sleeve bands of red, white, and red. Circular patch on left shoulder “SPIDER 43” to honor Giant Carl “Spider” Lockart. Helmets feature both player number on back with the additional number 38 on the left rear. Shell is blue with GIANTS logo in white on both sides. Center color band is a single red stripe. Facemask is white.
Broncos: Road white jerseys with player names on in blue sewn to a white plate on back. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm in blue above sleeve band pattern of blue, white, orange, white, and blue. Helmet features a blue shell and D- “Snorting Bronco logo on both sides. Center color bands are white, orange and white. Player numbers in white on rear of helmet outside the white band. Facemask is white.
Most Valuable Player: Phil Simms
Super Bowl XXII: January 31, 1988
Washington Redskins (NFC) Vs Denver Broncos (AFC)
Redskins: Road white mesh v-neck jerseys with player names on back. Collar area trimmed in burgundy. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers are in burgundy over gold on upper arm above a sleeve band pattern of one each equally wide gold and burgundy band. Helmets feature Indian head logo on both sides. Center bands of white, yellow, and white. Facemask is gold. NO player numbers on rear of helmet as in years past.
Broncos: Home orange knit jerseys with player names on back in white on orange plate. Numbers are white over blue and are screened on. Secondary numbers in white above a sleeve band pattern of blue, white, and blue. Helmet features a blue shell and D Snorting-Bronco logo on both sides. Center color bands are white, orange and white. Facemask is white. Player numbers in white on back of helmet.
Most Valuable Player: Doug Williams
Super Bowl XXIII: January 22, 1989
San Francisco 49ers (NFC) Vs Cincinnati Bengals (AFC)
49ers: Home red v-neck knit jerseys with player name on back in white on red plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm in white above sleeve band pattern of three equally wide white bands. Helmet features white SF logo on field of red. Center color bands of red, white and red run length wise. Facemask is grey and “49ers” is featured between front center facemask mounting clips.
Bengals: Road white v-neck knit jerseys with player name on back in black on a white plate. Jersey appears to have stretch knit center panels of a different material than the rest of the body. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers on upper arm in black over orange below a wide orange field with black “Tiger Stripes”. Helmets are orange and feature black “Tiger Stripes” in varying lengths running width wise on helmet. Player’s number in black on rear. Facemask in black.
Most Valuable Player: Jerry Rice
Super Bowl XXIV: January 28, 1990
San Francisco 49ers (NFC) Vs Denver Broncos (AFC)
49ers: Road white jerseys with player name on back in red on white plate. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers in red on upper arm above three equally sized red bands. Helmet features white SF logo on field of red. Center color bands of red, white and red run length wise. Facemask is grey and “49ers” is featured between front center facemask mounting clips.
Broncos: Home orange knit jerseys with player names on back in white on orange plate. Numbers are screened on. “W” white Wilson logo can be found on the bottom of the left sleeve on jerseys featuring the full length or non-tied up sleeve. Secondary numbers in white over blue above a sleeve band pattern of blue, white, and blue. Helmet features a blue shell and D Snorting-Bronco logo on both sides. Center color bands are white, orange and white. Player numbers in white on rear of helmet on outside of white stripes. Facemask is white.
Most Valuable Player: Joe Montana
Super Bowl XXV: January 27, 1991
New York Giants (NFC) Vs Buffalo Bills (AFC)
Giants: Home blue v-neck tight mesh body jerseys with player names on back in white on blue plate. Collar trim is red, white red. Numbers are screened on. Super Bowl XXV patch on left shoulder. Secondary numbers are in white over red on upper arm above a sleeve band pattern of red, white, and red. Helmet features blue shell with GIANTS logo on both sides in white. Player numbers in white on rear of helmet. Single red center band. Facemask is white. American Flag on left rear of helmet (as worn) to honor service men deployed for OPERATION DESERT SHIELD.
Bills: Road white v-neck knit jerseys with player names on back in blue on white plate. CHAMPION logo can be found on either right or left sleeve. Collar trim is red, blue, red. Super Bowl XXV patch on left shoulder . Secondary numbers on upper arm in blue above sleeve band pattern of red, blue, and red. Helmet features a red shell with Charging Bills logo on both sides. Center band pattern is white (narrow), blue (wide) and white (narrow). Player numbers on back of helmet in white on either side of white outer center bands. Facemask is white. American Flag on left rear of helmet (as worn) to honor service men deployed for OPERATION DESERT SHIELD.
Most Valuable Player: Ottis Anderson
Super Bowl XXVI: January 26, 1992
Washington Redskins (NFC) Vs Buffalo Bills (AFC)
Redskins: Road white jerseys with player names on back in burgundy on white plate. Collar trim is burgundy. Numbers are screened on. NFL Logo at the cowl. Secondary numbers are in burgundy over gold on upper arm above a sleeve band pattern of one each equally wide gold and burgundy band. STARTER logo can be found on left sleeve below the number and above the burgundy band. Helmets feature Indian head logo player numbers in white on either side of center bands of white, yellow, and white. Facemask is gold. (No Super Bowl Patch is worn). NFL logo on right rear of helmet (as worn).
Bills: Home blue jerseys with player name on back in white on blue plate. NFL Logo at the cowl. Collar pattern is red, white and red. CHAMPION logo can be found on either sleeve in a variety of locations. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers are in white over red on upper arm above a sleeve band pattern of red, white and red. Helmet features a red shell with Charging Bills logo on both sides. Center band pattern is white (narrow), blue (wide) and white (narrow). Player numbers on back of helmet in white on either side of white outer center bands. Facemask is white. (No Super Bowl Patch is worn). NFL Logo on right rear of helmet (as worn).
Most Valuable Player: Mark Rypien
Super Bowl XXVII: January 31, 1993
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) Vs Buffalo Bills (AFC)
Cowboys: Road white jerseys with player name on back. Mesh body with screened on numbers. NFL Logo at the cowl. Player names in blue on back on white plate. Secondary numbers on shoulder in blue. Sleeve band pattern in blue (wide), white (narrow), and blue (wide) (there is a very thin black stripe on either side of the blue bands). Manufacturer (Russell ) Helmets feature Star of Texas logo on both sides, white center color bands of blue, white and blue. Player names on back center of blue strip done in blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey. NO Super Bowl patch is worn. NOTE: Some Cowboy’s helmets feature player numbers 98 and 44 or left back of helmet (as worn) on black background. Emmitt Smith and Michael Ervin are examples.
Bills: Home blue v-neck jerseys with NFL logo at cowl. Player name on back in white. Secondary numbers on upper arm in white above a sleeve band pattern of red (narrow), white (wide) and red (narrow). Helmet features a red shell with Charging Bills logo on both sides. Center band pattern is white (narrow), blue (wide) and white (narrow). Player numbers on back of helmet in white on either side of white outer center bands. Facemask is white. NO Super Bowl patch is worn. NOTE: While it appears that the Bills are wearing CHAMPION jerseys as indicated by the small “C” CHAPMION logo that can be found on either sleeve, the jersey Bills Quarterback Jim Kelly is wearing has an APEX logo on the bottom of both sleeves.
Most Valuable Player: Troy Aikman
Super Bowl XXVIII: January 30, 1994
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) Vs Buffalo Bills (AFC)
Cowboys: Road white knit jerseys with player names on back in blue on white plate. APEX logo on either sleeve. NFL logo present at neck line. Mesh/knit body with screened on numbers. Secondary numbers on shoulder in blue. Sleeve band pattern in blue (wide), white (narrow), and blue (wide). Helmets feature Star of Texas logo on both sides, center color bands of blue, white and blue. Player names on back center of blue strip done in blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey. NO Super Bowl patch.
Bills: Home blue knit jersey with player names on back in white on blue plate. Jerseys feature CHAMPION logo on various locations on the sleeve. Numbers are screened on. Secondary numbers in white over red on upper arm above sleeve band pattern of red, white, and red. Helmet features a red shell with Charging Bills logo on both sides. Center band pattern is white (narrow), blue (wide) and white (narrow). Player numbers on back of helmet in white on either side of white outer center bands. Facemask is white. NO Super Bowl patch.
Most Valuable Player: Emmitt Smith
Super Bowl XXIX: January 29, 1995
San Francisco 49ers (NFC) Vs San Diego Chargers (AFC)
49ers: Home red knit/mesh jerseys manufactured by Wilson. Jerseys feature NFL 75th Anniversary patch on left upper chest. Primary numbers are screened on and are a white over black 3-D design. NFL logo at the cowl. Jerseys are WITHOUT any secondary numbering. Many sleeves are trimmed and do not feature the three white band sleeve band pattern. Helmet features white SF logo on field of red. Center color bands of red, white and red run length wise. Facemask is grey and “49ers” is featured between front center facemask mounting clips. NO Super Bowl Patch.
Chargers: Road white knit/mesh jerseys featuring the NFL 75th Anniversary patch. Jerseys manufactured by STARTER. NFL logo at the cowl. Numbers are screened on. Player names in blue on back over white plate. Secondary numbers on upper arm in blue over gold below a blue should band with a “Charger Lighting Bolt” in white trimmed in yellow. Helmets feature dark blue shell with “Charger Lighting Bolt” logo on both sides. Facemask is matching dark blue of the shell. Player numbers in white outline on center rear of helmet. NO Super Bowl Patch.
Most Valuable Player: Steve Young
Super Bowl XXX: January 28, 1996
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) Vs Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC)
Cowboys: Road white jerseys with player names on back in blue on white plate. Numbers are screened on. NFL logo at neck line. Secondary numbers on shoulders in blue. Sleeve band pattern is blue (wide) white (narrow) and blue (wide) (very thin black strips are either side of the blue band). NO Super Bowl Patch. Helmets feature Star of Texas logo on both sides. Center color bands of blue, white and blue. Player names on back center of blue strip done in blue embossing strip. Facemask is grey.
Steelers: Home black jerseys with player names on back in yellow on black plate. NFL logo at neck line. Numbers in white and appear sewn on. Secondary numbers in white on shoulder. Sleeve band pattern is sleeve bands of black (thin), yellow (narrow), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (wide), black (thin) white (narrow), black (thin), yellow (narrow), and black (thin). STARTER logo can be seen on right upper arm within the wide yellow sleeve band. NO Super Bowl Patch. Helmets feature Steeler logo ONLY on right side (as worn) and player number on both front and back in white on either side of yellow helmet stripe. Facemask is black.
Most Valuable Player: Larry Brown
Super Bowl XXXI: January 26, 1997
Green Bay Packers (NFC) Vs New England Patriots (AFC)
Packers: Home green v-neck jerseys with player names on back in white. NFL log at neck line Sewn on numbers for front and back. Secondary numbers in white on shoulders. Sleeve band pattern is yellow (narrow), green (thin), white (narrow), green (thin), yellow (wider), green (thin), white (narrow), green (thin), and yellow (narrow). Jerseys manufactured by STARTER. NO Super Bowl Patch. Helmets feature yellow shell with “G” in white on both sides. Center color bands are green, white, green. Facemask is black.
Patriots: Road white v-neck jerseys with player names on back in red. Secondary numbers on upper arm, below should band of Patriot logo. NO Super Bowl patch. Jerseys manufactured by STARTER. PATRIOTS in small block on center of chest above numbers. Helmet features a sliver shell PATRIOTS logo on both sides. Facemask is red.
Most Valuable Player: Desmond Howard
Super Bowl XXXII: January 25, 1998
Denver Broncos (AFC) Vs Green Bay Packers (NFC)
Broncos: Home blue v-neck jerseys with player name on back. NFL logo at neck line. Super Bowl XXXII patch on left upper chest. BRONCOS in small block in front above numbers. Secondary numbers on shoulders in white trimmed in orange. Jerseys manufactured by Nike. Helmet is dark blue shell with BRONCO horse head logo on both sides and single orange center band. Facemask is matching dark blue.
Packers: Road white v-neck jerseys with player names on back in green. NFL logo at neck line. Super Bowl XXXII patch on left upper chest. Secondary numbers on shoulders in green. Sleeve band pattern is green (narrow), yellow (wider) and green (narrow). Jerseys manufactured by Nike. Helmets feature yellow shell with “G” in white on both sides. Center color bands are green, white, green. Facemask is black.
Most Valuable Player: Terrell Davis
Super Bowl XXXIII: January 31, 1999
Denver Broncos (AFC) Vs Atlanta Falcons (NFC)
Broncos: Road white v-neck jerseys with player name on back. NFL logo at neck line. Super Bowl XXXIII patch on left upper chest. BRONCOS in small block lettering above front numerals. Secondary numbers on shoulders. Dark blue color side panel extends and narrows toward the collar area. Jerseys manufactured by Nike. Helmet is dark blue shell with BRONCO horse head logo on both sides and single orange center band. Facemask is matching dark blue.
Falcons: Home black v-neck jerseys with player name on back. NFL logo at neck line. Super Bowl XXXIII patch on left upper chest. Secondary numbers on shoulders in white. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Helmet features black shell with sliver/white Falcon logo on both sides. Facemask is black.
Most Valuable Player: John Elway
Super Bowl XXXIV: January 30, 2000
St. Louis Rams (NFC) Vs Tennessee Titans (AFC)
Rams: Road white v-neck jerseys with player name on back in blue. NFL logo at neck line. Secondary numbers in blue on yellow portion of upper sleeve. Shoulder trim is a blue winding RAM horn in a field of yellow. Super Bowl XXXIV patch on left shoulder. Jerseys manufactured by PUMA. Helmet features a blue shell with yellow winding Ram horn. NFL logo on left rear (as worn) of the helmet. Facemask is black.
Titans: Home blue uniform with player name on back. Secondary numbers on shoulder. Super Bowl XXXIV patch on upper left chest. Lighter blue should pad section. Jerseys manufactured by PUMA. TITANS in small block lettering above front numerals. Helmet features white shell with “T” TITANS logo on both sides. Center bands of blue, white blue. Facemask is black.
Most Valuable Player: Kurt Warner
Super Bowl XXXV: January 28, 2001
Baltimore Ravens (AFC) Vs New York Giants (NFC)
Ravens: Road white jerseys with player name on back in white. Jerseys manufactured by NIKE. Mesh body jerseys with knit elastic shoulders. Super Bowl XXXV on left shoulder. Secondary numbers on shoulder in purple. Baltimore patch on both shoulders. Helmet features dark purple shell and RAVEN log on both sides. Player number in white on rear center of helmet.
Giants: Home blue jerseys with player name on back in white. Jerseys manufactured by NIKE. Super Bowl XXXV patch on left upper chest. Secondary numbers on shoulders in white. NFL logo at neck line. Helmet is now again older style blue shell with NY logo on both sides and red center band. Player numbers in white on front and rear of helmet. Facemask is grey.
Most Valuable Player: Ray Lewis
Super Bowl XXXVI: February 3, 2002
New England Patriots (AFC) Vs St Louis Rams (NFC)
Patriots: Home blue jerseys with player name on back in white. NFL logo at neck line. Super Bowl XXXVI patch on left shoulder/upper chest. Secondary numbers on shoulder between collar and wide silver shoulder stripe. Red piping through center side body panel. Jerseys manufactured by ADDIAS. ADDIAS logo on shoulder between wide sliver shoulder stripe and Patriot sleeve logo. Helmet features a sliver shell PATRIOTS logo on both sides. Player numbers in blue on rear center of helmet. American Flag on right rear (as worn). PATRIOTS on rear pad. Facemask is red.
Rams: Road white uniform with player name on back in blue. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Secondary numbers on shoulder in blue. Rams logo on upper sleeve. Super Bowl XXXVI patch on left shoulder/upper chest. “Rams” in small modified script below neck line. Helmets feature dark blue shell with gold Ram horn logo on both sides. American Flag on right rear (as worn) and RAMS on rear pad. Facemask is dark blue.
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady
Super Bowl XXXVII: January 26, 2003
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC) Vs Oakland Raiders (AFC)
Buccaneers: Home red jerseys with player name on back. Super Bowl XXXVII patch on upper left chest. Secondary numbers on shoulder in white. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Helmet is dark gold with BUCCANEERS logo on both sides. American Flag on left rear (as worn) of helmet. Facemask is black.
Raiders: Road white jerseys player name on back in black. Super Bowl XXXVII patch on left shoulder. Secondary numbers on upper sleeve in black. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Helmet features sliver shell with black RAIDER logo on both sides. Player numbers in black on rear of helmet. Facemask is silver.
Most Valuable Player: Dexter Jackson
Super Bowl XXXVIII: 1 February, 2004
New England Patriots (AFC) Vs Carolina Panthers (NFC)
Patriots: Home blue jerseys with player name on back in white on blue plate. Super Bowl XXXVIII patch on upper left chest/shoulder. NFL logo at cowl. Red piping through center side body panel. Numbers are white over silver over red. Secondary numbers on shoulder between collar and wide sliver shoulder stripe. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Helmet features a sliver shell PATRIOTS logo on both sides. Player numbers in blue on rear center of helmet in blue. PATRIOTS on rear pad. Facemask is red.
Panthers: Road white v-neck jerseys with player name on back on white plate. Collar trimmed in blue with NFL logo at cowl. Super Bowl XXXVIII patch on upper left chest/shoulder. Secondary numbers on shoulder between collar and wide blue/light blue shoulder stripe. PANTHER logo on each upper sleeve. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Helmet features silver shell with PANTHER logo on both sides. Center color bands of dark blue, silver, and dark blue. Facemask is black. Player numbers in dark blue on rear center of the helmet. PANTHERS on rear neck pad.
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady
Super Bowl XXXIX: February 6, 2005
New England Patriots (AFC) Vs Philadelphia Eagles (NFC)
Patriots: Road white knit/mesh jerseys with player name on back in blue on white plate. Super Bowl XXXIX patch on left upper chest. Numbers are blue over white over red and are sewn on. Blue center side panel trimmed in red. Secondary numbers on shoulder between collar and wide dark blue shoulder stripe. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK. Helmet features a sliver shell PATRIOTS logo on both sides. Player numbers in blue on rear center of helmet. PATRIOTS on rear pad. Facemask is red. American Flag on rear right of helmet (as worn).
Eagles: Home green v-neck jerseys with player name on back in white on green plate. NFL logo at neck. Super Bowl XXXIX patch on left upper chest. EAGLES is small arched lettering in center above numbers and below neck line. Secondary numbers on shoulder in white. Jerseys manufactured by REEBOK, emblem located just white EAGLE logo on upper arm. Helmet features dark green shell with EAGLE wing logo on both sides (this version begins at front of helmet). Player numbers on rear of helmet. Small American Flag on rear center. Facemask is black.
Most Valuable Player: Deion Branch
Selected References
Print:
For The Glory of Their Game: Stories of Life in the NFL by the Men Who Lived it. Richard Whittingham. Triumph Books. 2005.
Patriot Way: The Road to a Modern NFL Dynasty. Triumph Books and the Boston Globe. 2005.
Super Bowl: Exciting Accounts of Pro Football’s Championship Games. Tom Devaney Random House Books, 1971.
The Super Bowl: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of America’s Greatest Game. Forward by Pete Rozelle. Simon and Schuster. 1990
The Super Bowl: Sport’s Greatest Championship by Austin Murphy. Sports Illustrated. Time, Inc. Home Entertainment. 1988
On Line Image Searches:
Getty Images
Corbis Images
Film:
Super Bowl I-X. NFL Films and Warner Brother Home Video. 2003.
602 minutes/color.
Super Bowl XI-XX. NFL Films and Warner Brother Home Video. 2004.
617 minutes/color.
Super Bowl XXI-XXX. NFL Films and Warner Brother Home Video. 2004.
784 minutes/color.
* These film reference are particularly valuable for this sort of imagery analysis in that much of the footage is shot in zoom and run in slow motion. Top quality work by NFL Films.