National Football League - Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Yet to Use Gold Jerseys

By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW

If Dan Rooney had his way, the Steelers would strike gold when they visit Miami, Jacksonville and Tempe, Ariz. In fact, he wouldn't rule out San Diego, either. "We designed a gold jersey last year to wear when teams in hot weather cities make us wear black," Rooney said. "We showed it to the NFL, and they told us we could wear the jerseys at home, but not away ... so we never went through with it."

Rooney said the Steelers' proposed alternate jersey "would have looked exactly like the regular one, only gold."

Slight alterations were to include black, rounded numbers, white surname lettering, and black and white Northwestern striping on the sleeves. The Steelers logo would remain on the left shoulder.

And, in at least one owner's opinion, the jersey looked good.

"We would have worn them with the gold pants," Rooney said, "and I know what you're thinking ... but, trust me, the gold on gold went well together."

The NFL allows teams to propose designs for alternate jerseys that introduce a secondary color or slightly modify jerseys from the past.

Dan Masonson, the NFL's corporate communications manager, said that when the Steelers proposed their gold alternates to the NFL last year, only home teams had the option of wearing a third jersey. This season, however, visiting clubs are allowed to wear alternate jerseys if the home team chooses to wear white -- as was the case earlier this season, when the Carolina Panthers donned their light blight jerseys against the white-clad Buccaneers in Tampa.

So, it's a good thing Rooney didn't burn the original alternates. "I still have a few of them ... somewhere," he said.

The Steelers could conceivably introduce a gold jersey next season. Just don't expect them to go gold at Heinz Field.

"We feel our uniforms are the best in football, and we're not going to change from wearing black at home just because it would help merchandising sales," Rooney said.

"The only reason we designed the gold jersey is because when we travel to places like Miami, Jacksonville, Arizona, and sometimes, San Diego, we almost always have to wear black because of the heat. We thought wearing a gold jersey for those games would help us out a little."

It still could.

Rob Rossi can be reached at rrossi@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5635.

This article was taken from www.pittsburghlive.com.  All rights reserved.