After a decade-long absence, the iconic and fan-favorite “Pat Patriot” red home jerseys worn during the first 30 years of New England Patriots football will be returning to the field next season.
On Friday, the Patriots Hall of Fame first confirmed the news via a tweet in response to a fan question regarding throwback jerseys coming back.
We will! The throwback jerseys (red) are coming back in 2022. Last season they were worn was 2012.
— The Hall presented by RTX (@TheHall) December 3, 2021
According to 985 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth, the Patriots last sported the red jerseys during week seven against the New York Jets in 2012.
A year later, the Patriots were forced to abandon wearing the jerseys due to a new NFL “one shell” rule that required only one helmet to be used by each player over the course of the season.
The Patriots, of course, have used a silver helmet featuring the “Flying Elvis” logo as their primary dating back to 1993 where it wouldn’t have been historically accurate when combined with the red throwback jersey, which used a white for the “Pat Patriot” logo. As a result, the red jerseys could only be found in the stands over the last 10 years.
Back in June, the NFL elected to lift the “one-shell” rule, approving the use of alternate helmets beginning in 2022 and opening the door for the red jersey return with the proper color helmet combination.
According to NFL rules, while the current blue jerseys must remain the Patriots home primaries, they will now have the option of playing up to three games with the red throwbacks as an alternate beginning next year. More specific details on the uniform changes are likely to follow next spring.
Following the reveal, some fans on Twitter shared their reactions.
https://twitter.com/617swaps/status/1466070875514494978?s=20
IT’S HAPPENING!!! https://t.co/h2uMz9NjNh pic.twitter.com/qqLRQrQ3z5
— Casey Baker (@_CaseyBaker) December 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/JustCeceTweets/status/1466820651742760960?s=20
Let's go!!!!! And I've another red one already on the way too#ForeverNE https://t.co/98oOmLgwXd pic.twitter.com/tMcYPGGrQ3
— Ste (@ste81april29) December 3, 2021
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