NJ @ NE Official's Uniforms
 

Did anyone else notice the pants the officials were wearing in the New England game? They looked like some sort of black wind-pants with belt loops and a thick white stripe down the side of the leg. Anyone know why they were wearing them?

See this thread...

http://forum.officiating.com/showthread.php?t=29871

PS- NO GOAL!

In short, layering more available for comfort.

The pants are made out of the exact same material that are the Honigs elite knickers. Layering isn't an issue, as you can layer under the elite knickers just as well as under the pants. All the pants do, other than look very silly, is eliminate the socks. While that's a good thing, it doesn't outweigh the silly look.

Hopefully, the pants won't be back.

How baggy do you wear your knickers?

What I thought was most interesting was that the New England coach had short sleeves on and the officials had black pants. I guess somebody thought it was going to get cold and wanted to be ready. I don't think the pants look that bad but it is harder to pick out the officials on tv when they don't have white pants.

If you have never actually worn the uniform in a cold situation, I don't know how you can possibly state they provide no difference from layering under regular knickers. If you don't like the look, then just say so. Of course, I'm sure the only people who really care are other officials. I'd bet the players, coaches, and fans don't care, so the League probably doesn't care either. I'm sure the only thing they do care about (other than the endorsement money) is do the officials on the field like them.

You might be right about no one else really cares. But the issue did make the segment on NFL Live on ESPN called "What were you thinking?" They did criticize the look and blamed the officials for the look. It amazes me that a major media outlet would not know that this was the NFL's doing and not the officials themselves. ;)

Peace

Wow! ESPN finding something...anything...new over which to criticize the officials. Who woulda thunk it!!

The NFL didn't change the official's uniforms. The NFL officiating department proposed the changes and they were accepted by the "Brass" of the NFL.

The thick white stripe down the side, to me, makes them resemble a prison uniform.

White Stripe
 

I think if they eliminate that stripe, they would look better. However, they then look no different than a pair of black wind pants with an added belt-thus not destinctive. One of the reasons the NFL changed the uniform design was to copyright and protect their "look".

I guess basically, they're just a high-tech pair of black coaches slacks with a stripe down the side.

Exactly.

Saying that layering is the same as with knickers is kind of strange considering knickers go just below the knees and the new NFL gear goe to the shoes.

There is also the issue of how tight knickers are. I have huge legs and a 44 inch knicker is tight. I can't do much layering underneath. The NFL pants appeal to me because of the looser fit giving me more layering options.

I don't think they look bad, just different. Sometimes bucking tradition is a good thing.

Eric

Just imagine that you are at a flag football game being officiated by college guys trying to make a couple of bucks. That's what the pants remind me of.