NFL Color Rush

NFL Color Rush was a promotional campaign created by the National Football League (NFL) in collaboration with Nike to feature new uniform designs for Thursday Night Football games. The campaign was first introduced during the 2015 NFL season and continued until 2018. The primary feature of the Color Rush uniforms was the use of a single, bold color for each team's entire outfit – extending to jerseys, pants, socks, and shoes – which was intended to pop out on the field and on television screens.

History

The NFL Color Rush program began as a part of the league's larger strategy to increase viewership and excitement around Thursday Night Football, a slot that had traditionally received lower ratings compared to Sunday and Monday night games. The initiative debuted with just eight teams in 2015 and expanded to include all 32 teams by the 2016 season.

Design

The designs for the Color Rush uniforms were developed by Nike, aiming to bring a vibrant, cohesive look that highlighted each team's distinct colors. However, the use of such intense colors sometimes led to issues for viewers with color blindness, as the first game featuring the New York Jets in all green and the Buffalo Bills in all red caused some fans to struggle to differentiate the teams. This feedback led to adjustments in later designs to help mitigate such issues.

Reception

Fan and player reactions to the Color Rush uniforms were mixed. Some appreciated the boldness and uniqueness of the designs, while others criticized them for being too garish or straying too far from the teams' traditional looks. Despite the mixed reviews, the Color Rush games garnered significant attention on social media and brought a new aesthetic dimension to the broadcasts.

Legacy

Although the NFL officially ended the Color Rush campaign after the 2018 season, several teams have continued to use their Color Rush uniforms as alternate jerseys during the regular season. The legacy of the initiative remains as a notable example of the league's efforts to innovate its brand presentation and engage its audience in new ways.

See also

• Uniform (sports)
• Thursday Night Football
• Nike, Inc.