The Chicago Bears, a team steeped in NFL history, are renowned for their iconic navy and orange uniforms. While their look has remained largely consistent over the decades, the Bears have occasionally dipped into their past for inspiration. In 2019, they unveiled a special throwback uniform, stirring excitement among players and fans alike, which offers a fascinating glimpse into Chicago Bears Uniform History. This wasn’t just another alternate jersey; it was a resurrection of a design from 1936, a bold and unique departure from the team’s more familiar styles.
Cornerback Kyle Fuller, who had the opportunity to model the throwback uniform at the Bears100 Celebration, shared his initial surprise and positive reaction. “The helmet is cool,” Fuller remarked. “I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t know what to expect. But to see that I think it added a little bit of pop to it.” This “pop” came from a distinctive helmet design featuring three prominent orange stripes on a navy base, a departure from the single stripe or wishbone “C” logo helmets more commonly associated with the Bears.
Fans would have the chance to see this piece of Chicago Bears uniform history in action during two home games at Soldier Field in the 2019 season. The Bears scheduled to wear the classic jersey against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 29, and later against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, December 5. These primetime matchups provided a national stage to showcase this unique uniform and celebrate the team’s heritage.
The decision to revive the 1936 uniform wasn’t taken lightly. Chairman George McCaskey explained the challenge in selecting a truly unique throwback, given the Bears’ relatively stable uniform history. “This one really stood out because it was for only one year,” McCaskey stated, highlighting the fleeting nature of this particular design within the broader Chicago Bears uniform history. “We thought it would be a great idea to bring it back and see if our fans like it. For that time, you think of uniforms being pretty drab, but this was a pretty dramatic statement, especially those socks. I love the socks. The socks make the uniform, in my opinion.” McCaskey’s comments underscore the visual impact the 1936 uniform aimed to create, even by modern standards.
The 1936 uniform had been on the radar for a while. McCaskey revealed that it was a collaborative effort with longtime equipment manager Tony Medlin. “This is the one that Tony Medlin and I kind of had our eye on from the start,” McCaskey said. “He takes his responsibilities as caretaker of our uniforms pretty seriously, so I knew that if it passed muster with Tony that we’d be in pretty good shape.” Medlin’s expertise and deep understanding of Chicago Bears uniform history were clearly valuable in the selection process.
Family legacy also played a role in the uniform choice. Virginia Halas McCaskey, team owner and daughter of legendary Bears founder George Halas, had a key consideration. “She didn’t want anything that when the team comes out of the tunnel there would be any mistaking that it was the Chicago Bears,” McCaskey shared. “So with that guidance, we think we’ve come up with something good.” This ensured that while celebrating a unique chapter in Chicago Bears uniform history, the throwback still maintained the team’s core identity.
For fans eager to own a piece of Chicago Bears uniform history, the throwback jerseys were made available for purchase. Attendees at the Bears100 Celebration Weekend had the first opportunity to buy the jerseys on-site. Shortly after the unveiling, the jerseys also became available online at the official Chicago Bears team store. This allowed fans worldwide to connect with this special moment in Chicago Bears uniform history.
It’s worth noting that this 1936 throwback replaced the 1940s classic jersey that the Bears had worn in the previous season, demonstrating a continuous exploration of different eras within Chicago Bears uniform history. In addition to the throwback and their regular navy and white uniforms, the team also planned to wear their alternate orange jerseys once in 2019, maintaining a diverse uniform rotation. The 1936 throwback, however, stood out as a particularly unique and historically significant choice, offering a vibrant tribute to a distinctive period in Chicago Bears uniform history.
