The Chicago Bears are set to don their 1936 throwback uniforms this Sunday, Christmas Eve, as they face off against the Arizona Cardinals. This vintage look, complete with alternate helmets, was previewed during the team’s Wednesday practice at Halas Hall, generating buzz on social media with a video showcasing the addition of orange stripes to the Bears’ iconic navy helmets.
Bears will rock their 1936 alternate jerseys when they take on the Cardinals on Christmas Eve pic.twitter.com/DkwRkXP1hM
Keepin’ it classic this week 👌 pic.twitter.com/aOENAYcs83
Initially introduced in 2019 to celebrate the Bears’ centennial season, these 1936 throwback uniforms carry a complex historical significance. While they represent a design from the team’s early years, they also evoke a period of racial segregation within the NFL. From 1934 to 1945, the league enforced an unspoken ban on Black players, a dark chapter in its history.
This historical context came to the forefront shortly after the uniform’s re-introduction, thanks to an article by Chicago sports historian Jack Silverstein in SB Nation. Silverstein’s piece explored George Halas’s role in the NFL’s segregation, sparking important conversations and prompting a response from within the Bears organization.
Chairman George McCaskey, along with the team’s social justice committee, addressed the historical implications of the throwback uniforms in a video statement. The committee, composed of players like Trey Burton, Chase Daniel, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, and Mitchell Trubisky, emphasized the uniforms as a symbol of acknowledging past injustices and committing to a more inclusive future.
McCaskey stated, “That was from a time when, unfortunately, African Americans were not included on the Bears or other NFL rosters. Integration of the Bears and the NFL was too long in coming. But we’re proud that this year’s Bears will be the first African-Americans to wear these jerseys.”
Players echoed this sentiment, viewing the throwback uniform as an opportunity to honor those excluded in the past. Hicks highlighted the symbolic weight: “Wearing this jersey is a sign, a symbol for the people who came before us that weren’t allowed to wear this jersey. And now on our shoulders is the opportunity to represent not only our culture but our city and our team by wearing this jersey and being the first African Americans to do so.” Burton added that after thoughtful discussions, they were proud to be the first African American players to wear this jersey, representing the franchise and city.
As the 5-9 Bears prepare to face the 3-11 Cardinals, the throwback uniforms will serve as a powerful reminder of the NFL’s past and the ongoing journey toward equality and inclusion, adding a deeper layer of meaning to their Christmas Eve game at Soldier Field.
