:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28119279/20131129_mjr_su5_190.0.jpg)
The Arizona football team used national signing day to announce a minor tweak to the team's football jerseys. The Wildcats will lose the gradient that faded a blue to red on the team's jersey numerals. Now, they'll go with a straight red or blue look.
As announced earlier in #AZOKGDay, red and blue jersey numbers in 2014 will have solid coloring. pic.twitter.com/mXy6eXKmqP
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 5, 2014
When Arizona debuted their newest jersey design before the 2013 season, we were aware of the rule against gradients on numbers, which made it difficult to identify players.
Here's the NCAA rule:
Jerseys must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back, respectively, and be of one solid color that itself is clearly in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any border around the number." This rule goes into effect for Football Bowl Subdivision teams in 2013. Football Championship Subdivision, Division II and Division III teams will have until 2014 before the rule becomes effective.
The football team's Twitter account did say that the white jerseys will retain the gradient.
@thisisbenhunt The whites will still have gradient coloring.
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) February 5, 2014
In my eyes, the change does look a lot better. Arizona seemed set on creating a unique look, and they'll remain unique with the gradient remaining on the sleeves. Now, the poor reporters up in the press boxes during games will be able to see who's who.
