Can a zebra change its stripes?
In the NFL, it can. Why, we're not sure.
If you've stumbled upon any exhibition games this summer on TV while looking for "Baseball Tonight," the new Garanimal outfits forced upon the league officials are almost laugh-out-loud funny.
The league that wants to be on the cutting edge of change has messed with one of the most sacred icons of the game. Why did the officials need to change from the traditional black-and-white precisely measured strips to this new optical illusion thing that, yes, does make some of the refs look a little more overweight.
Reebok is the reason, in large part. What they're calling "fashion-forward" uniforms that are more "ergonomically designed" is mostly to give the refs a break with something more lighter weight. The asthetic "enhancements" have alot to be desired.
The players have benefitted from this "PlayDry" "moisture management technology" since 2002, according to the people at Reebok (now owned by adidas). The refs, finally, get to benefit.
Which is cool. Or hot, depending on how they sweat.
But why did they have to mess with the look?
“We are impressed with the performance quality of the new uniforms,� said Mike Pereira, NFL Vice President of Officiating, in the Reebok press release. “The new fabrics will offer our officials superior protection on the field while making it more comfortable on the hottest days of summer and in winter’s coldest moments.�
Note, Pereira didn't make any fashion statement about the new fashion statement.
Read on for more about the stripped-down stripes in other sports:
David Courtney, the public address announcer for the Kings, Angels and Long Beach Ice Dogs -- and who's seen his share of bad calls by guys wearing the officials' jerseys -- passed along a few examples of how even those standard hockey refs stripes are being altered as well.
NHL ref Rob Shick, left, shows off the standard stripes here (either that, or he's ordering another drink for Marty McSorley to be brought down to the penalty box)...
The officials in Europe have altered their look -- but only because they want to stick advertisements on themselves like some kind of NASCAR driver. This is how one German League hockey ref stays above any conflict of interest, while keeping the stripes down in the belly section to give him a slimmer look.
The saddest thing about all this is now we have to go to Foot Locker to see what a real NFL ref shirt looks like.
Just forget it. It's just an NFL referee, right? As long as they stay out of the way and don't hog up time under the camera tent on a replay, wear whatever you want.
We'll just stay away from any fashion-forward Reebok product in the future...