Medium: Wool

Date: c.1920

Country: USA

Credit: Museum Purchase

Early football uniforms did not include large pads or helmets, but they were made out of durable materials like wool or canvas to withstand the high-contact nature of the game. Here, the pants provide some padding, but not the top. Colors help distinguish teams—historically, team hues might flood a top, as here, or simply appear in bands around the upper arm, which remains a signature element of football jerseys.

Object Number: P89.57.36