Chicago may value tradition over innovation — at least when it comes to uniforms.
When there are eight professional sports teams in your city there will never be a shortage of opinions or hot takes ranging from who has the best stadium, head coach, team and even concession food.
So, when the White Sox released their brand new City Connect uniforms it seemed like the perfect time to answer one critically important question in this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times Sports polls on Twitter.
We’ve seen some fresh threads from teams like the Red Stars, Sky and White Sox this year. The Sky introduced three new uniforms ahead of the WNBA’s 25th anniversary season: the Heroine, Explorer and Rebel edition uniforms. Each uniform holds a significant tie to Chicago. The Rebel Edition, for example, pays homage to women of Chicago breaking through glass ceilings and pushing beyond boundaries.
The Red Stars introduced a new kit ahead of their season opener against Gotham FC to mixed reviews. It was dubbed the momentum kit and is meant to reflect the connection from the club’s historic past to its future.
“Is it ever not the Blackhawks,” asked @LooWaters, which leads us to believe Chicago is a city that values tradition over innovation. At least when it comes to uniforms.
You know what they say? If it’s posted on Twitter, it must be true.
Poll No 1. (two-part question): Who has the best uniforms in Chicago right now?
Time again for our weekly “Polling Place” questions. Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Saturday’s paper.
This is a two-part question so only vote once! We’re watching you
Q1: Who has the best uniforms in Chicago right now?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) May 27, 2021
Q1 choices continued ⬇️
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) May 27, 2021
Upshot: The Blackhawks and Bears returned similar results in the polls. Twitter limits the number of choices to four per poll so without inaccurately deeming one a loser, we’ll say these equally traditional uniforms tied. The Bears who have used the same font since 1949, have stepped outside the box in recent years. The team’s throwback uniforms in 2019 paid homage to ones worn in 1936. They had no resemblance to its traditional jersey and helmet set and fans weren’t overly supportive of the new look. The throwback set was controversial beyond what fans thought as well because Black players were banned from the league from 1934-1945.
While we continue to see teams like the White Sox and the Sky introduce innovative looks to fans, this poll reminds us, nobody in Chicago likes change.
Commented @MurgesJohn, “The Chicago Blackhawks Jersey has withstood the test of time. No Jersey comes close in Chicago or anywhere else for that matter!”
