Mekhi Becton sent NY Jets fans into a Twitter frenzy on Wednesday as he hinted at the release of throwback jerseys.
Mekhi Becton knows how to get Jets fans going.
Before getting into Becton’s latest viral tweet, we need to understand the backstory behind it.
The NFL has begun to see a resurgence of throwback uniforms this offseason. On Wednesday, it was announced that the Indianapolis Colts will bring back their 1956 Baltimore Colts look for a game against the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the upcoming season.
The Indianapolis #Colts today announced they would be wearing Baltimore Colts 1956 throwback uniforms for a game during the upcoming 2021 #NFL season.
Pics, details, and more in our post: https://t.co/63uCOeiAZ6 pic.twitter.com/OAjB5J3iuR
— Chris Creamer | SportsLogos.Net (@sportslogosnet) July 21, 2021
Earlier in July, the Los Angeles Rams unveiled a “Modern Throwback” uniform that combines elements from their current look with the look that the franchise donned during its previous stint in Los Angeles.
The @RamsNFL revealed their "modern throwback" uniforms for this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/zVQRzsHCKd
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 13, 2021
Becton wants the Jets to get in on the action – or does he already know that the Jets will be getting in on the action?
Everybody dropped the Throwback jerseys can’t wait till we drop ours 😭👀 @nyjets
— Trending Topic 🤷🏾♂️ (@BigTicket73) July 21, 2021
It’s unclear whether this is just wishful thinking from Becton or if he is actually hinting at the Jets joining in on the throwback party, but either way, Becton’s tweet brings to mind an array of intriguing potential avenues for the Jets to take if they do indeed decide to rock a throwback look.
The Jets could turn the clock back to the glory days and honor the look made famous by Joe Namath in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They have yet to wear this uniform as a throwback.
This uniform is extremely reminiscent of the one that the team wore from 1998-2018 after Bill Parcells opted to bring back the old look, but there are tiny differences that would separate it from the Bill Parcells era uniforms:
- Grey facemask instead of green
- The number font is slightly different
- The name font on the back of the jersey is different
- The football background of the helmet logo is a more pointy shape
Another option is the team’s look in the 1980s, presented by Mark Gastineau.
The last time that the Jets wore a “throwback” of any kind was in a game against the Colts in Week 6 of the 2018 season, when they switched out their green facemasks for grey facemasks and combined it with their typical all-white uniform to honor the 1968 Super Bowl III championship team.
However, the Jets have not worn a true all-out throwback uniform since Nike took over the NFL’s uniforms in 2012. The last time that the Jets sported a true throwback uniform was when they donned the classic New York Titans look against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2 of the 2011 season.
Becton voiced his support for the New York Titans uniforms back in February.
YESSSS!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!! https://t.co/aTOqwhvpRh
— Trending Topic 🤷🏾♂️ (@BigTicket73) February 6, 2021
The NFL announced in June that it would be allowing the return of alternate helmets in the 2022 season, which would bring back the possibility of crafting full-on throwback uniforms. Previously, teams had only been allowed to wear one helmet throughout the course of a season – changing the decals was allowed, but not the helmet shell itself. This rule was established in 2013 to improve player safety.
Teams are required to inform the league office of their intent to use an alternate helmet in 2022 by July 31, 2021. So, we may soon learn which teams are planning on time-travelling in 2022.
If Becton gets his wish, we could see the infamous mustard-and-navy uniforms back at MetLife Stadium as soon as next year.
