Penn State Football: Ranking the Big Ten Conference’s Best Uniforms
By Corey Hunter
#1 – Penn State Nittany Lions
Nov 16, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Bill Belton (1) runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Purdue 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The best uniforms in the Big Ten belong to the Penn State Nittany Lions. I imagine most people reading this post will consider me a homer for putting my team on top, but hey, its my list, so if the shoe fits I am going to wear it. Certainly a case can be made for all three of the top teams to have the best uniforms in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions have traditionally worn blue and white colors with nothing more then a blue stripe down the middle of their helmets. The simplistic nature of the uniforms and helmet were born out of former head coach Joe Paterno’s desire to have everyone focused on team achievements rather than individual accomplishments.
Numbers briefly appeared on the helmets in the early 1970s but they were removed by the end of the decade. They would make a 1-game appearance in 2012 as each Nittany Lion player wore the #42 in honor of injured senior and co-captain Michael Mauti.
Also beginning in 2012 names began to appear on the backs of jerseys. According to head coach Bill O’Brien he wanted to everyone to be able to recognize those players that stayed and kept the program going during the initial phases of NCAA sanctions.
There’s my list. Now it’s your turn to vote. Who do you think has the Big Ten’s Best uniforms?