JCrosby Uniform Concept
By Mike Lurie
3/22/06
About a week ago, the Vikings released the news that there would be
some changes in store for the uniforms in 2006. None of the proposed
changes were released however, and in keeping with the tradition that
the new regime has already cemented, neither has any of the other
details of the proposition, including the design firm or the release
date.


Typically, this is a good thing. Unlike the local media, who appear to
be extremely bent out of shape by the sudden tightness of lip, the
calculated secrecy is actually a refreshing change of pace for the
fans, and yes even for us here at Vikingsboard, who would prefer to
have to work a little harder for our stories in exchange for a more
strategic approach to winning.


Keeping the facts close to the vest in regards to the uniform change
however is something that seems to have more than a few fans in an
uproar, and I have to admit, I understand the feeling. We aren't
talking about free agent signings or game strategy here. This is
actually something much more important to the happiness of the fans and
far less valuable to the welfare of the organization. Oddly though, if
this decision is handled improperly, the welfare of the organization
could be severely damaged.


The Minnesota Vikings uniforms are not just a meaningless garb that
changes with the times like so many other team's uniforms. Since
debuting in 1961, the Vikings' logos and uniforms have essentially
remained the same, and that is a fact that Viking fans take great pride
in.


Shortly after word of the proposed change became public, a photo of a
McFarland figurine featuring solid purple pants and a change from the
original Viking horns to the Norseman head logo on the helmet began to
circulate around the internet. It has since been exposed as an
overzealous fan seeking some personal entertainment at the expense of a
somewhat gullible internet community; however the possibility of a
change to the Norseman head logo has remained an active postulation.


The proposed return to the solid purple pants seems to have received
mixed reviews from the fans, as has the possibility of a full purple
uniform consisting of solid pants and a solid jersey, the removal of
the horns from the helmet however appears to be a completely
unacceptable option. So much so that a request for petition against the
idea from the fans has been made, and Vikingsboard.net has answered the
call. The petition to keep the horns can be found at:
www.petitiononline.com/40for60/petition.html


Some might contend that the petition is a touch premature, and
normally, I might agree. But given the recent circumstances and the
fact that the front office is remaining as tight lipped as Seal Team
Five on a midnight raid, the cause for alarm is as real and as
necessary as it appears. If the Viking's PR department would lend some
facts to the general public about the basic concept or degree of
change, then perhaps the petition could be avoided altogether. After
all, the main point of contention seems to be the removal of the horns,
and the fact is; that removal may not even be a part of the plan.


Of course as with all things in life, it is never a good idea to speak
out against any proposition unless you are willing to offer an
alternative suggestion. As such, we have tracked down a design firm
that has put forward a design concept that we believe all fans could
live with. Jeff Crosby of JCrosby Designs has offered a spin on the
current Vikings' uniform that would maintain the same traditional look
and feel, while updating the way it is presented on the uniform.
There are three designs in the JCrosby arsenal, one of which includes
the solid purple pants, all of which include the traditional horned
helmet and all of which provide a unique blend of old and new.
Have a look:
http://vikingsboard.net/mypictures/JCDC.bmp


We feel that this design concept blends the traditional Vikings uniform
design with a modern concept that everyone can appreciate. The most
important detail of this arrangement is that the horns continue to
exist on the helmet. The same horns that great Viking organizations of
the past have thrived under and the same horns that we feel strongly
should usher in a new era of Viking football.


If there is any doubt about just how serious this issue is to most
fans, one needs not look further than the petition to keep the horns,
which tallied almost 500 signatures in less than 48 hours on the
internet. This IS a serious issue, and one that the organization needs
to regard as such.


Perhaps to a new owner with little experience running a professional
sports team, these matters seem trivial. Maybe the marketing of a new
uniform, any new uniform, spells an opportunity to expand on the
profit. Or maybe it's more about continuing to purge the organization
of anything it was associated with prior to the new regime era. But I
would like to be the first to say; be careful how much change you
attempt to make. While most fans will agree that a significant level of
change was necessary, it is not entirely necessary to enforce those
changes on every aspect of the team. After all, if we are going to make
complete and total change to the coaching staff, personnel AND uniform,
then we might as well move the team and change the name to the "New
Jersey Wilfs" or the "Garden State Landgrabbers", and I can assure you,
nobody wants that. Well maybe not nobody...


Don't let us down Zygi. Take a look at the JCrosby design. The fan base
is already upset about the silence surrounding the uniform change and
rumored removal of the horns. Imagine the angst that removing ALL of
the tradition would cause.


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