Colts hope ‘Indiana Nights’ jerseys will bring an afternoon victory over Cleveland
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts hope their special Indiana Nights alternate uniform will help bring an afternoon win on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew will lead the Colts (3-3) against the Cleveland Browns (3-3) in the team’s first game in the new uniform, which is inspired by the blue and black hues of Indiana night skies.
The Colts unveiled the new gear in July. Everyone who worked on the uniform’s design — including team owner Jim Irsay and his three daughters — Stephanie Pemberton, vice president of marketing for the Colts, said Friday on Daybreak.
“We really wanted this jersey and this design to be in tribute to our home state. It’s got the patch on it with the state of Indiana outlined that all of our players will be proudly wearing. So it kind of seemed like the perfect year to launch this with it being our 40th season here in Indianapolis,” Pemberton said.
The new uniform also marks a major first for the franchise — its very first black helmet.
“We’re a team that has stayed very true to our kind of roots in history, and that is not going away in our primary uniform. You will see that blue and white on the field. But once a year, we want to give our fans something different, something that has a little more edge to it, a more modern look,” Pemberton said.
The Colts haven’t announced any plans to wear the Indiana Nights jersey again this season, but the team says it plans to bring the alternates back “for select games in future seasons.”
The first 50,000 fans inside Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of Sunday’s game will receive a new Indiana Nights jersey rally towel and commemorative Indiana Nights cups will be available at concession stands around the stadium.
Fans can pick up their very own Indiana Nights jersey from the team’s online store or at the Colts Pro Shop at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kickoff for Sunday’s clash between the Colts and the Brown is at 1 p.m. Former Indiana Pacers All-Star Rik Smits will strike The Anvil before the game and the Purdue University Marching Band will perform at halftime.