Serious topic - the uniforms…. Specifically block numbers

[CoolShades]

Ok, this is a very important topic and one that demands an answer! (Ok, not really… I’m just looking for something fun to discuss)

Why on earth are they sticking with this garbage font for their jersey numbers? They changed to this look in 1997. WTF? It’s pushing 3 decades now, and they STILL look like shit.

In my experience, (and I’ve asked this question countless times), almost everyone loves the block number uniforms. The current look either brings a negative comment or at the best, it brings indifference.


IMO, the block numbers are the ones that give almost every NFL uniform their cleanest, best look. The only teams that don’t have to have block numbers are the Bears, Cowboys and Colts (and the Cowboys and Colts have just a variation on the block). Other than that, most teams that try to find a unique font make their uniforms look like a car from NASCAR.

So what is the opinion here? If given the choice, would you keep the current number font or go back to the block numbers of the Noll era?

[Dan Smith--BYU]

"Why on earth are they sticking with this garbage font for their jersey numbers? They changed to this look in 1997. WTF? It’s pushing 3 decades now, and they STILL look like shit.

In my experience, (and I’ve asked this question countless times), almost everyone loves the block number uniforms. The current look either brings a negative comment or at the best, it brings indifference."

Preach on brother, I do not know anyone who likes the lame 90s font more than the classic 70s block font. And everyone loves it when they bring back the classic (but not the 30s bees or the 60s Batman).

But I guess some people like Chumbawumba better than the Allman Bros.

Speaking of classic unis, bring back the 60s early 70s mustard yellow Clemente Pirates uniforms. These city color splash PGH unis look like they belong in a beer league.

[bradshaw2ben]

I hated them when it first changed in -997… but I have to admit I didn’t care for going back to the block numbers, mostly because pads are so much smaller and low profile now. The block numbers kind of overwhelm the jersey IMO

[Louis Lipps Service]

Hey, hey, hey.

Keep Chumbawumba out of yer damn mouth!

[Obviously]

I hated them when it first changed in -997… but I have to admit I didn’t care for going back to the block numbers, mostly because pads are so much smaller and low profile now. The block numbers kind of overwhelm the jersey IMO

I went to the Packers game last year when they wore the block numbers. I thought they looked great.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

https://www.reddit.com/r/steelers/comme ... ly_please/

Reddit agrees.

It's not sentimentality either. The 79 Pirates unis were hideous.

[cop1211]

Everyone I know say go back to the block.

[Thrillsseeker]

I wouldn’t mind block #’s, but I go to bed every night and not one time has this crossed my mind.

[Steeldrama]

I admittedly have a renewed interest in uniforms mostly because I have a teenager who keeps me young-ish

College uniforms much cooler to me
Schools don’t need to go all Oregon and have a dozen choices but I like variety.

The Chargers immediately come to mind in the NFL as far as embracing variety and stylistic alternatives

Steelers too traditional for me.

I’d like to see Nike have the creative freedom to design some more modern Steelers alternatives including a new helmet kinda like the Ravens new alternative purple helmet

Block letters are fine but we can do better

[anpsteel]

I greatly prefer the block numbers


but I think AR2 views the italicized numbers as his stamp and identifier of his time controlling the ship.

So, I assume we are stuck with them until he leaves

[Pabst]

I greatly prefer the block numbers


but I think AR2 views the italicized numbers as his stamp and identifier of his time controlling the ship.

So, I assume we are stuck with them until he leaves

The number change pre-dates Art 2 by several years.

[W&M_Steeler]

I wouldn’t mind block #’s, but I go to bed every night and not one time has this crossed my mind.

Same. If anything, I somewhat prefer the current look to the old block numbers. I think this board skews old- I am in my 40s and wasn't even alive for the 70s teams. You'd have to be in your early 50s at the youngest to have a living memory of watching the 70s dynasty. Consequently, I don't think block numbers are anything most fans under 50 really think about. I like the look, and I remember they still had it for Super Bowl XXX, but I don't have a strong attachment to it. When I see it, I think Iowa (ironic, I know).

The current look is the look of the 2000s team that won 2 Super Bowls and went to another. I think of Ben, Polamalu, Harrison, Ward, Faneca, Bettis, Porter, Keisel, etc when I think of the current look. They're more my team than the 70s greats, who I appreciate but who were before my time.

I wouldn't oppose going back to block numbers, but I don't feel that they necessarily should or that the block look is superior to the current look. So long as they don't switch to those terrible alarm clock style numbers Tampa had for a few years, I'm fine either way.

[stairway 2 seven]

I will never own one of the current style jerseys. The font looks like something Disney would design.
Going back to the block numbers or maybe a modern version of them is what they should do.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Prefer the block numbers, but I don't find the current ones offensive, by any means. It's honestly a pretty simplistic font.


It's not like its overly stylized or anything.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

The only thing that could possibly make the block font cooler is going all the way with a spray can stencil block font.

https://i.etsystatic.com/21833494/r/il/ ... 6_ghm1.jpg

It's so blue collar it's correctional system, and kind of a Longest Yard vibe.

Also fitting considering the recent off field ventures of Steeler WRs.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Actually, this is the font that is used for the "Steelers" text in the logo (called "Gunplay"). I think it'd be cool to just follow that font through to the numbers:

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Perfect. It has a blue collar look, like a stencil that would be used for painted signs inside a mill.

[Ice]

Actually, this is the font that is used for the "Steelers" text in the logo (called "Gunplay"). I think it'd be cool to just follow that font through to the numbers:

I'd be down with this in some form or fashion, and wow, I'm knocked down by the Chumbawumba reference.

[R_S]

Ok, this is a very important topic and one that demands an answer! (Ok, not really… I’m just looking for something fun to discuss)

Why on earth are they sticking with this garbage font for their jersey numbers? They changed to this look in 1997. WTF? It’s pushing 3 decades now, and they STILL look like shit.

In my experience, (and I’ve asked this question countless times), almost everyone loves the block number uniforms. The current look either brings a negative comment or at the best, it brings indifference.


IMO, the block numbers are the ones that give almost every NFL uniform their cleanest, best look. The only teams that don’t have to have block numbers are the Bears, Cowboys and Colts (and the Cowboys and Colts have just a variation on the block). Other than that, most teams that try to find a unique font make their uniforms look like a car from NASCAR.

So what is the opinion here? If given the choice, would you keep the current number font or go back to the block numbers of the Noll era?

Get a life maybe?