FOXBOROUGH — In a move that’s been incredibly popular with both players and fans, the Patriots will wear their classic red uniforms and Pat-the-Patriot style helmets for their Week 5 Game with the Detroit Lions.
The uniforms had been shelved for almost 10 years because the NFL had a rule that said teams could only use one helmet in a season. Since the Patriots’ baseline helmet is silver they couldn’t use the old colors.
But that rule was lifted for 2022 allowing Pat the Patriot to return. Gillette Stadium has the old logo at midfield and “Patriots” in old red font in both end zones.
NFL teams are allowed to wear an alternate uniform up to three times a year and may wear up to two alternate jerseys per season.
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While the Patriots’ history in the red and whites when they were primary uniforms wasn’t great, New England has been successful in them as throwbacks going 9-3. They last wore them on Oct. 21, 2012 when they beat the Jets in overtime.
The Patriots will wear them again on Dec. 1 against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium.
Not surprisingly, Bill Belichick wasn’t especially concerned.
“It’s a colorful uniform and a colorful helmet,” he said. “But honestly we need to worry more about how we perform against the Lions and not worry about the jerseys and helmets. Let’s let somebody else worry about that.”