How Dan Campbell inspired the Detroit Lions to bring black uniforms back

Dan Campbell asked Rod Wood to bring the Detroit Lions’ black uniforms. Wood agreed, but Campbell had to do something first…

Thursday night, the Detroit Lions unveiled their new uniforms to a rowdy set of over 5,000 fans at Ford Field. The event featured the highly-anticipated return of a black uniform option, which the Lions abandoned back in 2017.

It turns out the return of the black uniforms sprouted from a conversation three years ago, with coach Dan Campbell just months on the job. Team president Rod Wood explained.

“He wore the black (jerseys) when he was here (as a player),” Wood said. “We’re in the draft room and he said, ‘Hey Rod, when can we get the black jerseys back?’

“I said, ‘I’ll make a deal: When you win the division, I’ll bring the black jerseys back.’ So I went out on a limb and thankfully he delivered. That’s a true story.”

Of course, these uniforms were years in the making. The Lions were going to unveil black uniforms whether Detroit eventually won the NFC North or not. But in a beautiful happenstance, the Lions did win the division—and even a couple of playoff games—just months prior to the release of these new uniforms

Part of the reason turned away from the black uniforms was the negative connotations from that era of Lions football—from 2003 to 2017. Wood, though, is not worried about the negative stigma of those uniforms now that they’re in a new era of Lions football

“There’s a little history there, and I’m well aware of it, but we’re a new team, new leadership, new players. And I think the past is the past,” Wood said.

Campbell remembers the black uniforms a little more fondly. Back when he was wearing them, it was one of the most popular options among the players.

“It was kinda the team’s favorite at the time,” Wood said. “(Campbell) just pined for it again. So I think for him it’s a throwback.”

AP

The new black uniforms are markedly different from the previous era’s version. The numbering doesn’t clash as much as the white outline did in the past. And more importantly, the black uniforms now pair more collaboratively with black and blue pant options, as opposed to the silver pant offerings of the early aughts. And to top it off, the Lions are wearing a new chrome blue helmet with a new black Lions logo decal.

“I think they dress up even better than when he was here (as a player),” Wood said. “With the pants combos, it’s a better look than the silver pants we wore at the time.”