Not many teams in the NFL can touch the Carolina Panthers’ all black uniform with the black helmet or their process blue color rush alternates. That’s why when the Carolina Panthers released their jersey schedule earlier this week fans were not happy.
With all of the uproar I decided to do a little research into the jersey decision process and what factors could’ve played a role.
It’s Hot in Here:
Playing in an outdoor stadium with the weather in Charlotte still being warm in September and October, the Panthers have historically chosen to wear white jerseys during early home games. The rationale behind that is the team will stay cooler in the white jerseys, therefore possibly giving themselves a competitive advantage by making their opponents suit up in dark jerseys in potentially sweltering heat. So that would explain the choice for the home opener against the Chargers in week two and the week four matchup against the Bengals.
Alternates
The Panthers’ blue jerseys are a fan favorite and understandably so. The team’s Process Blue is such a striking color, it rivals any other popular uniform in the league. Unfortunately, the blue jerseys are considered an alternate uniform and the team is limited to wearing them twice a season. This year the Panthers will rock them for their first home division game against the Falcons in week six and when they travel to Germany in week ten.
Black Panther
Carolina will wear their all black jerseys at home in weeks nine, twelve, thirteen and sixteen – all cooler months.
Bad Luck Blues
I’ve explained the Panthers wearing white in September and early October. The team will wear either black or process blue the next five home games, but will wear white and not the striking black on black combo week fifteen when the Cowboys come to town. The reasoning behind that may be deeper than many realize.
Have you heard of the Cowboys’ blue jersey curse? It’s a thing that reportedly dates back to 1967 when the Cowboys lost to the Packers in the Championship game.
Dallas would also suffer playoff losses in 1968, 1971, 1981 while in blue. They also had post season losses to Washington in 1996 and the Panthers in 2003.
Some will say the “curse” has been broken based on Dallas’ recent success in blue, including their 2023 playoff win at Tampa. But the legend still lives.
I’m not saying forcing the Cowboy’s to wear their “Bad Luck Blues” will make a difference, but at this point the Panthers need all the help they can get.