USFL uniforms: Ranking the best, worst jerseys for 2022 football relaunch, from Gamblers to Maulers
The United States Football League unveiled uniforms for its eight franchises on Thursday.
The USFL is back and will restart April 16. It’s an homage to the league that competed with the NFL from 1982-86, and the nostalgia factor will be high given the eight franchises in the league.
The South Division features the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers and Tampa Bay Bandits. The North Division features the Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Maulers.
Now that all eight teams unveiled their Sporting News graded those new looks. Which ones are close to the vintage looks? Which ones do we like the most? Here are our picks:
MORE: What to know about the USFL’s return in 2022
1. Houston Gamblers
Pocket aces ♣️ pic.twitter.com/H04nU1jKcd
— Houston Gamblers (@USFLGamblers) February 17, 2022
The Gamblers didn’t have to change much, and the simplicity is beautiful. The black, gray and “gambler red” uniforms are an instant throwback to the Jim Kelly heyday, and Houston teams typically nail a football uniform anyway. The home uniform is perfect. The away uniform would be better with black pants.
2. Michigan Panthers
Ready for the hunt 🐾 pic.twitter.com/h8QCeNEcy5
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) February 17, 2022
The Panthers stuck with the plum and champagne uniforms that they wore while winning the first USFL championship in 1983. The Panthers have arguably the best helmet in the league. We would like to see light blue jerseys, but the problem is that would look a little too much like the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. The original look remains unique and fits the franchise well.
3. New Orleans Breakers
Blue Wave incoming 🔵 pic.twitter.com/KFWH0LxV5r
— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) February 17, 2022
The Breakers also played in Boston and Portland in the original USFL, and they come with two shades of blue. The uniforms definitely have a Tulane spinoff feel to them, and the all-white uniform should be a hit. Perhaps the Breakers could add some light blue pants to this otherwise solid look.
4. Philadelphia Stars
Home and aways are out of this world 💫 pic.twitter.com/Z3i909jNwt
— Philadelphia Stars (@USFLStars) February 17, 2022
The Stars were the most-successful franchise in the original USFL, and the new look is good. It’s a brighter shade of old gold, and the two-toned stars on the helmet and shouler pop. The stripe pattern on the helmet and pants works, too. It’s a solid uniform.
5. New Jersey Generals
Battle ready ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/KyZqLeFMoX
— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) February 17, 2022
The vintage Generals uniforms conjure up memories of Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie, but the new versions are a slight upgrade. The five-star logo on the helmet is bold, and that logo looks it even better on the shoulder pads. We like the concept here.
6. Tampa Bay Bandits
🔴⚫️ Ready to ride pic.twitter.com/8hvIi2dP5E
— Tampa Bay Bandits (@USFLBandits) February 17, 2022
The late Burt Reynolds, a general partner of the original franchise, would approve of these uniforms. They stay close to the original look with the silver, black, white and red combination. The metallic silver helmet is cool, the Bandits logo on the sleeve fits. Does it look too much like UNLV? Maybe a little, but we like the Bandits’ clean look here.
7. Birmingham Stallions
We went full steed ahead with these home and away jerseys 🐎 pic.twitter.com/QzoSZSeGQM
— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) February 17, 2022
These uniforms are a fresh take on the originals, which were among the more-generic uniforms in the original USFL. That is because of the white horse logo that pops more. The red, gold and white combination might feel like the 49ers are Boston College, but to us it looks like the ESU Wolves from “The Program.” Where is Lattimer?
8. Pittsburgh Maulers
Nailed these home and away threads 🔨 pic.twitter.com/pY9Whzrd89
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) February 17, 2022
When we think Maulers, we think of Mike Rozier rocking that plain deep purple look. This is a departure from that. It feels more like an AAF or XFL look with the orange trim on the shoulders. The logo remains a classic, but you might feel like you are watching a rerun of “Blue Mountain State.” When we think Maulers, we think of Mike Rozier rocking that plain deep purple look.