The University of Houston’s football team plans to wear blue alternate uniforms despite the NFL’s objections.
Houston donned the alternates in last September’s 17-14 victory over UTSA. Later in the year, the NFL sent Houston a cease-and-desist letter accusing the school of “blatant copying” the Houston Oilers’ Columbia blue uniforms. The league threatened legal action.
Although Houston initially decided to stand down, telling the NFL they had “no current plans to use that uniform for merchandising,” they’ve since had a change of heart. According to the Houston Chronicle‘s Joseph Duarte, the university informed the NFL in April that they intend to use the uniforms again.
“We’re doing it,” athletic director Chris Pezman said. “We’ve reviewed everything and come to the conclusion that we are going to proceed.”
Pezman said they’ll wait two or three more weeks for the NFL to respond before organizing an official rollout. They’re currently considering deploying them for home games against in-state opponents.
The blue alternates wouldn’t be solely for the gridiron, as golf and soccer teams also wore them last year.
Pezman cited an “overwhelming” positive response to the uniforms for Houston’s decision to challenge the NFL.
“I knew it would be good,” he said. “I didn’t know it would be what it was. We found a nerve, and we’ve got to mine that vein. It’s real. What’s cool about it, it’s not about us. It’s about the city. That’s what we have to continue to do.”