WASHINGTON – The Redskins kicked off their 80th anniversary season at the Redskins Park new indoor practice facility on Thursday evening.
The team unveiled an alternate uniform, designed by Nike, that will be worn at two home games this season. There’s no word yet on which two.
This was the first event held at the new facility, to which Dan Snyder joked, “We’re naming it the Joe Gibbs bubble, in honor of Joe.”
That got a laugh from the crowd, because we all know that the former coach never wanted an indoor facility. I know, Dan is a funny guy isn’t he?
Mike Shanahan also took to the podium and declared, “I’ve never been more excited for a season to get started.”
He’s definitely a different person these days, more relaxed. I guess I would too if I realized that I have a new franchise quarterback, to which Shanahan said, “He’s going to do things you’ve never seen quarterbacks do.” Shanahan is referring to Robert Griffin III of course.
“He’s going to be here for the next decade or so,” coach added. I’m sure Redskins fans like to hear that.
The team also announced that in honor of the 80th anniversary that it will add ten more players to the list of the 70 Greatest Redskins. The list was put together ten years ago to create the 80 Greatest Redskins of All Time. Voting begins at midnight for what the team is calling, “10 For 80.”
It was then time for the unveiling of the uniform. Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan modeled the uniforms for us.
“Great look, great feel, they’re going to look good out there with all 53 men wearing them and representing,” Orakpo said.
I like the throwbacks, I think they did a good job with these because we all have seen some of them around the league and can’t believe that teams would let players out in public in them.These are very basic, almost looking like the ones the team wore in 1994 as a throwback. They definitely honored the tradition with the colors and when you see pictures of Sammy Baugh, you will see these uniforms.
“The Redskins are an amazing organization focused on team, unity and tradition. This new alternate uniform design for the Redskins is a very special one that truly speaks to the team’s long rich history,” said Nike Football Creative Director Todd Van Horne.
The excitement is there, now we just need some football on the field and we will be ready to go.
Follow George and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
