From the second that I put on that black Champion jersey with Orlando emblazoned across the front, a bright blue number 32, and the name O’Neal on the back, I knew that I was onto something big. While I wasn’t actually Shaquille O’Neal, I sure felt like I was seven feet tall.
Jersey number one was in the books. Soon after, I would add Emmitt Smith and Charles Barkley to my collection. Some thirty years later, my jersey collection… I mean, obsession would top triple digits. Last time I counted, I was at 306, give or take.
This list is to identify the most iconic jerseys in sports, according to me. The jerseys that are recognizable worldwide, by die-hards and casual fans alike. Jerseys that are synonymous with greatness and that were popularized by the legendary players who wore them.
Honorable Mention:
1995-99 Toronto Raptors, “Barney”
When the Raptors debuted these prehistoric purple pinstriped jerseys, I knew immediately that I needed them in my life. First made famous by Damon Stoudemire, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady, the “Barney” jerseys, as some have called them, featured a big red velociraptor on the front and the name “Raptors” across the chest in bold silver lettering.
1993-94 Orlando Magic, “Electric Blue”
These iconic jerseys missed the Top-5 strictly because the rest are just so awesome. Personally, these might be my favorite ever. The duo of Shaq and Penny Hardaway made these one of the most popular. Besides the cool factor of the All-Stars that wore them, the brightness of the electric blue color popped on the court. Not to mention that their aforementioned black jerseys were almost equally epic, and I couldn’t put both on the list.
The List:
5: 1946- Present Boston Celtics, “Celtic Pride”
The Boston Celtics are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world. The Celtics’ jerseys have not changed much since their inception into the National Basketball Association in 1946. Players like Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, and Jayson Tatum have all worn the Shamrock Green and white, winning a total of 18 championships across seven decades. To date, the team has retired the numbers of 23 former Celtics.
4: 1995 Dallas Cowboys, “Double Star”
At one point in the mid-1990s, you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing a Dallas Cowboys jersey. They were “America’s Team” afterall. My personal favorite incarnation of Dallas’ iconic jersey lineup is the 1995 “Double Star,” which was a throwback to the early 1960s. Both versions of this uniform are really awesome. Many people prefer the navy blue jerseys with white starred sleeves, but I prefer the white version. It is one of the cleanest-looking of all-time. Dallas still wears the modern stylings of these as alternate options.
3: 1995-97 Chicago Bulls, “Black Pinstripes”
As a kid, I had numerous sports posters hung on my wall. The centerpiece of my gallery of posters was of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. On that poster, Jordan and company wore their black alternate uniforms, black socks, and black sneakers. The black jerseys with red pinstripes looked sharp. The look was different than anything I had seen before. They weren’t the first, but the all-black look set a trend, leading to many teams featuring black alternates in their rotations. The Bulls most notably wore these during their 72-win championship season. The Bulls recently brought these back as alternates.
2: 1980’s Los Angeles Lakers, “Showtime Gold”
It’s Showtime!! Sure, Shaq and Kobe made the Los Angeles Lakers popular in the post-Jordan NBA, but when I think of iconic Lakers jerseys, Magic Johnson and James Worthy come to mind. Those 1980s “Showtime” home gold jerseys just hit different. They were the only team that wore a home jersey that wasn’t white. They brilliantly showcased the flash and flair of L.A. hoops in the 80s. Before the 1999 season, L.A. changed its design to a more modern look, but it just wasn’t the same. Since then, the Lakers have featured alternate variations of the 80s icons, in an effort to pander to our nostalgia.
1: 1915 and Beyond New York Yankees, “Pinstripes”
Is there any doubt that this would be number one on the list…? There might not be another more recognizably iconic uniform than that of the New York Yankees. Specifically, their trademark home pinstripes, NY on the chest, and a nameless number on the back. Don’t believe me? Picture the jerseys without the pinstripes… looks weird, right? You would need to go all the way back to 1914 to see pinstripe-free Yanks jerseys. They weren’t the first team to wear them, but they have kept them since 1915, five years before Babe Ruth went to N.Y. The Yankees have won 27 World Series championships in pinstripes.
Into the Rafters…
This is a list that could have easily been a Top-25 or more. Especially for someone like myself, who collects such things. I could do another jersey list in the future, by decade, era, or sport. If you enjoyed my list, be on the lookout for more Nick’s Picks in the future. Thanks for stopping by.
