THE Baltimore Ravens have left NFL fans divided with the release of new alternate purple helmets.
The Ravens’ ‘Purple Rising’ helmet features a gold face mask and stripes, as well as a little-used forward-facing bird logo.
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It’s only the third helmet design in the team’s history – and the first that is primarily purple.
The change comes after the NFL relaxed its uniform rules regarding helmets.
The helmets have already proven popular among Ravens players.
“It’s really bad, man,” tight end Mark Andrews said in a launch video.
But the new look generated mixed reactions from fans.
“Oh my god this needed a content warning,” said one fan.
“This is hard,” said another fan.
But a third fan noted: “That front logo is a miss on these.”
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Ravens senior vice president of marketing Brad Downs detailed the design process on the team’s website The salon podcast.
“The logo will likely be a popular theme on the helmet,” Downs said.
“Although we don’t use this logo much, the eyes are very iconic to the game experience.
“Our players rush to make introductions under the eyes. We felt it was time to give this logo some shine, so to speak.
“Our fans love the shield. I know this will be one of the popular comments: ‘Why not the shield?’
“But with the existing uniform, we have the shield right on the sleeve. The shield is already there prominently.
“It made a lot of sense to bring this to the forefront on the helmet.”
The Ravens will use their new helmet in one game in 2024, Downs said.
It will be worn in the Ravens’ purple uniform.
“We pay attention to all the fan feedback, to really try to come up with something that the fans will love,” Downs said.
“I have been waiting for this day for a long time. We know our fans have been clamoring for this.
“But our uniforms have a traditional feel and we’ve had a lot of success with them.
“We don’t want to be that team that changes all the time. We like the tradition we have built.
“We’ve been thinking about this for years. I think there were at least 14 helmet options, and that’s not including changing decals, locations, stripes.
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“We’re down to two, and that’s the direction we’re going.”
Downs believes fans will love the new look over time.
“Seeing the players’ reactions was really cool,” Downs said.
“A little validation, because you never know. There will be people who wanted a white version, who wanted a different black version, maybe they wanted a gold version.
“It’s a little validating to see their reaction, it’s cool.”
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