The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

Bears Get Classic Makeover With New Nike Uniforms

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 4, 2012 2:25PM

2012_4_4_nike.jpg
Brian Urlacher models the new Bears jersey from Nike.

Nike unveiled its "Elite 51" uniforms for the 2012 season in New York yesterday and the minor changes they made to jerseys have a major impact on the Bears uniforms in both look and function.

Player numbers on the sleeves have been moved to the jersey's shoulders, and the Bears' longtime tribute to George Halas — his initials on the sleeves — is more prominent, restored to its original size when it debuted in 1984. Nike said in a statement this "represents the never-wavering memory of Halas’ impact on the Bears’ community. His legacy has never been stronger, and the bold stripes are a reminder of his legacy."

The jersey numbers are sewn into the cloth to reduce weight, have zoned mesh to provide greater cooling, and incorporate Flywire technology to provide a tighter fit around shoulder pads and keep them from popping out, which should come in handy when Jay Cutler is flushed out of the pocket. "Four-way stretch fabrication" provides a streamlined shrink-wrap fit. Bears receiver Devin Hester said the new uniforms seem to "fit a little tighter, a little more to your body type. I like the pants. It seems like they’re thinner and will allow you to be more mobile."