LOOK: Florida Gators unveil black uniforms to be worn for first time ever on Nov. 4 vs. Arkansas

Football

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Image Credit: UAA

Winning championships and building a top-tier roster are chief among the desires of Florida Gators football fans as the program seeks to take a major step in Year 2 under head coach Billy Napier. But if there’s one trivial request that many in Gator Nation have hoped to be filled, it’s the team occasionally wearing black uniforms as the basketball team has worn in years past.

Buy the Florida Gators’ new Jordan Brand black alternate uniforms: Adult | Youth

Napier claimed 18 months ago before his first spring game that such uniforms would be on the way eventually, and while there have been indications over the last few months that Florida would wear black for the first time during its Nov. 4 game against the Arkansas Razorbacks inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Gators on Tuesday finally showed off what their freshest gear will look like.

Buy the Florida Gators’ new Jordan Brand black alternate uniforms: Adult | Youth

“I know Gator Nation is excited about the team wearing black uniforms, but I don’t want us to lose sight of the intent relative to creating awareness and showing gratitude and appreciation for all branches of our military and first responders,” said Napier. “We’re doing something that’s going to be a lot of fun, but ultimately, we’re hopeful that we can recognize and show appreciation for a lot of selfless people that have chosen a profession of service and put their lives at risk each day.”

Florida is promoting the Nov. 4 game as a “Salute to Serve” event. Player nameplates will display one of five words — commitment, courage, excellence, honor, integrity — to recognize the core values of military members and first responders. Members of U.S. service academies will also visit practice throughout the week.

Back in 2022, Napier suggested that auctioning off each of the jerseys would be part of the plan. That was not indicated as part of the Gators’ release Tuesday.

Sources told OnlyGators.com that it took a full year for the jerseys to be conceptualized due to Florida’s contract with Jordan Brand and plans already being in place for the 2022 season.

Buy the Florida Gators’ new Jordan Brand black alternate uniforms: Adult | Youth

The Gators have long been traditionalists when it comes to football uniforms with options solely consisting of blue and white jerseys; blue, white and orange pants; orange helmets and the occasional specialty set of threads from Nike.

However, over the last few years, Florida has expanded its uniform options to include orange jerseys and both white and blue alternate helmets, which are all now permanent parts of its collection. The Gators have also worn throwback uniforms, 9/11 anniversary American flag helmets, and other one-off specialty uniform combinations with the Swamp green alternates in 2017 largely being panned.

Other Florida athletic programs, including men’s and women’s basketball, have worn black uniforms previously, but the style never made its way to the football program until now.