The Pittsburgh Steelers social media team sure knows how to set the internet on fire. They tweeted out a two-line post that set fans scrambling trying to decipher the meaning of the cryptic message. Are they possibly hinting at a potential uniform change and could it be a sign that they are resurrecting ones that many fans have never seen in person?
Gene J. Puskar, AP
In this Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 file photo, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, wearing 1934 throwback uniforms, huddles during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the then-Washington Redskins in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers are ditching their "bumble bee" throwback uniforms for something with a more 1970s feel. The team announced it will wear replica jerseys of the 1978 and 1979 clubs that won Super Bowls when the Steelers host the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 28, 2018.
Are The Pittsburgh Steelers Bringing A Little Gotham To Pittsburgh?
The tweet released by the Steelers simply showed a backlit outline of a football helmet and uniform with the lines, "They think I'm hiding in the shadows. But I am the shadows." It took fans no time at all to recognize the Batman reference from the movie starring Robert Pattinson.
Graphic from thedirect.com
Robert Pattinson played Batman in the 2022 version of the hit film.
The tweet was clearly a Batman reference and some die-hard fans recalled that the Steelers had a "Batman uniform" back in the 1960s. That had the comments going crazy with speculation. Many fans had never even heard of the Batman uniforms and there was mixed sentiment regarding whether that would be a positive change or not.
The Steelers, unlike many NFL teams, are traditionalists. They do not change their uniform design or color every time they are allowed. While other teams like the Arizona Cardinals totally revamped their whole uniform for 2023 and the Cleveland Browns changed their helmets, the Steelers are happy to stick with what has always worked. Instead of jumping on fads, they have stuck with the same black and gold colors and designs for as long as most can remember.
They think Iโm hiding in the shadows.
โ Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 28, 2023
๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ. pic.twitter.com/LzJRUiJigl
The NFL allows teams to use a "throwback" design and the Steelers have used several different iterations including the wildly memorable "Bumblebee jerseys." The tweet has some wondering if it is a hint that the next throwback will be the 1966-1967 design. The "Batman" unis showcased a diamond-shaped yolk across the chest and shoulders. If you caught the jersey at just the right angle, it appeared the player was wearing a cape.
Gridironuniforms.com
The 1966 Steelers wore these "Batman" uniforms for the first time. When viewed from an angle it appeared the player was donning a cape.
The actual design had nothing to do with Batman, instead, it was a display of pride from Steelers owner Dan Rooney for the city of Pittsburgh. During the 1960s, the city of Pittsburgh was trying to improve its image. It had long been seen as a dirty, industrial town, full of pollution. The city was revamping the Golden Triangle area, where the three rivers meet, and Rooney decided to incorporate it into the design of the new jerseys. The players reportedly did not love the design and they didn't last long.
There has been no information released that the Steelers are working on a new helmet design or a change in jersey. For now, we will just have to wait and see if they are just toying with our emotions, or if the team is actually planning on a substantial helmet or uniform change.
@uniwatch on Twitter
The Pittsburgh Steelers used these "Batman" uniforms for two seasons in the 60s. They were to pay homage to the "Golden Triangle" area of the city.
What do you think the tweet meant? Is something changing? Tell us what you think! Click to comment below.
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