The Philadelphia Eagles and Kelly Green are almost synonymous. For many fans, the vibrant, eye-catching shade of green is the quintessential Eagles color. But have you ever wondered about the history behind this iconic look and when the team brings it back? Let’s delve into the story of Kelly Green and its enduring legacy with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The name “Kelly Green” itself has interesting origins. As defined by Canva, it’s named after the common Irish family name, Kelly, and evokes the lush green landscapes of Ireland. It’s also deeply associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture. This bright, lively green has found its place in sports history thanks to teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.
For the Eagles, Kelly Green wasn’t just a color; it was a foundational part of their visual identity for a significant portion of their history. Starting in 1935, the team began transitioning away from the blue and yellow colors inherited from the Frankford Yellow Jackets. They introduced their first green uniforms, marking the beginning of the Kelly Green era in Philadelphia Eagles football.
Philadelphia Eagles' Kelly Green uniforms as depicted in the Gridiron Uniform Database, showcasing the team's historical color evolution.
By 1937, the Eagles had completely moved away from blue and yellow, fully embracing green as their primary color. While the exact shades of Kelly Green varied over the years, and historical representations may differ from reality, the 1960 NFL Champion Eagles are undeniably linked to Kelly Green. A picture of the legendary Chuck Bednarik during a celebration of the 1960 team perfectly illustrates this connection. He is seen wearing what is essentially a modern interpretation of the 1960s Kelly Green uniform, solidifying its place in Eagles history.
Philadelphia Eagles legend Chuck Bednarik wearing a modern version of the 1960 Kelly Green uniform, celebrating the team's championship legacy.
The Eagles continued to wear Kelly Green through various iterations until 1995. There’s some debate about whether the darker shade of green used from 1985 to 1995, as seen on Randall Cunningham in a 1990 game, truly fits the classic “Kelly Green” definition. Nevertheless, it was still considered and marketed as Kelly Green at the time, becoming a familiar sight for Eagles fans of that era.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham in the darker green uniform, worn between 1985-1995 and debated as a true Kelly Green shade, during a 1990 game.
In 1996, a significant shift occurred when new owner Jeffrey Lurie decided to refresh the Eagles’ image. Kelly Green was retired in favor of “Midnight Green.” This darker, more modern shade became the team’s primary color, and the Eagles achieved considerable success in Midnight Green, including three NFC titles and their Super Bowl victory.
Philadelphia Eagles celebrating their Super Bowl victory while wearing Midnight Green uniforms, showcasing the team's successful era with the darker color.
Despite the success in Midnight Green, Kelly Green never truly faded from the hearts of Eagles fans. The demand for a return to Kelly Green remained constant, fueled by nostalgia and a love for the classic look. This yearning for the past was partially satisfied in Week 1 of the 2010 season.
In a nod to history, the Eagles wore Kelly Green throwback uniforms to honor the 1960 NFL Champions. This game became even more memorable as it marked a resurgence for quarterback Michael Vick, even though the Eagles lost to the Green Bay Packers. This throwback game reintroduced Kelly Green to a new generation and reignited the passion for the classic color among longtime fans.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick in Kelly Green throwback uniform during the 2010 game against the Green Bay Packers, marking a significant return of the classic color.
However, Kelly Green was put on hold again for over a decade. In 2013, the NFL implemented the one-helmet rule, primarily for player safety. This rule restricted teams to using only one helmet shell for the entire season, including practices and games. This made wearing Kelly Green uniforms impractical, as pairing them with the Midnight Green helmets would have been visually unappealing.
The one-helmet rule was eventually lifted before the 2022 season. Yet, due to production timelines and supply chain issues still lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eagles couldn’t bring back Kelly Green in 2022. But the wait wouldn’t be much longer.
Kelly Green made a triumphant return as an alternate uniform in 2023 for two special games. The first occasion was a Week 7 Sunday Night Football victory against the Miami Dolphins, a 31-17 win celebrated in the vibrant throwback colors.
Philadelphia Eagles players in Kelly Green uniforms celebrating a victory against the Miami Dolphins during Sunday Night Football in Week 7 of 2023 season.
The second Kelly Green appearance in 2023 was in Week 12, an instant classic overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills, ending with a 37-34 score. The current Kelly Green throwbacks closely resemble the 1985-1995 uniforms, featuring the iconic bird logo on the sleeve and silver pants, a style element that the Eagles have used as far back as 1974.
Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts and Lane Johnson in Kelly Green uniforms after an overtime win against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12 of 2023 season.
One subtle difference between the current throwbacks and the 1985-1995 versions is the shade of green. The modern throwbacks appear to use a slightly lighter and truer Kelly Green, while the older versions leaned towards a darker, almost Forest Green. This slight variation adds to the nostalgic appeal for fans who remember both eras.
Comparison image of older Philadelphia Eagles darker green uniform from 1985-1995 era, highlighting the subtle shade difference from current Kelly Green throwbacks.
The current Eagles Kelly Green throwbacks have been a resounding success, both with fans and on the field. They even wore them for a Week 17 game against the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 season and have a perfect 3-0 record when wearing Kelly Green since their return in 2023, including a notable win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9 of 2024. As the image at the beginning of this article shows, even in the 2024 season, Kelly Green continues to be a part of the Eagles story.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson walking off the field after a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Kelly Green uniform, Week 9 of 2024 season.
Looking ahead, while the Eagles benefit financially from having both Midnight Green and Kelly Green merchandise, a full-time return to Kelly Green seems unlikely. However, Kelly Green remains an integral part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ rich history, and its continued presence as an alternate uniform is a welcome sight for fans who cherish this classic NFL look.
