In a rollout of four new uniforms and three helmets with a nod to Houston culture and traditions, the Texans officially unveiled their new look Tuesday morning.
There are four new uniforms: home featuring a classic Deep Steel Blue color that’ matches the original uniforms from the inaugural season for the AFC South franchise, away Liberty White uniform with a bullhorn-inspired design alternate Battle Red version of the away jersey and helmet and Color Rush introducing the H-Town Blue as the first new color on the Texans brand in team history. The Texans became the first team in NFL history to introduce a new logo on an alternate helmet and a two-logo system across all helmets.
Previously, one uniform version, their white road uniforms was leaked before Texans principal owner Cal McNair released a photo of wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell wearing them along with a hat confirming the authenticity of an alternate H-Town Blue helmet. The defending AFC South champions are celebrating their new uniforms with a private release party Tuesday night following a highly fan-inclusive and transparent process.
“Today, for the first time since 2000, we are so proud to reveal our new uniforms,” Cal McNair said in a statement. “They are even more special because they are inspired by and for our fans. Our fans asked us to be more H-Town and we delivered. They were with us every step of the way and there’s truly something for everyone over the four uniforms.”
The uniforms are available online and at the team shop at NRG Stadium. From Wednesday to Saturday, fans can purchase merchandise at the Houston Texans Team Shop Pop Up on the first floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center. The merchandise will be available at the team’s draft party on Friday on the Plaza at Avenida Houston.
Downtown Houston and the bridges over Highway 59 will be lit in Texans colors, including H-Town Blue, in celebration of the new uniforms.
The Texans involved their fan council, other fans along with staff, current and former players to get input and ideas, incorporating much of that feedback, which included 10,000 surveys and more than 30 focus groups, into the uniform redesign.
Texans players, some fans and local media had already seen the new uniforms, which includes significant changes to jerseys, pants and helmets. And the response has been enthusiastic, especially from the athletes who’ll be wearing them.
“I think they’re cool,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “I don’t want to say too much, but I think people will like them. Really excited. I think that brings a new energy to NRG, which is kind of ironic, but I’m super excited just to be wearing new stuff. I liked the unis last year too, but I think it’s time for change and it’s a new era now. We’ll be able to build with these unis and look good while doing it."
In the wake of a recent unauthorized uniform leak on social media of a model wearing the Texans’ new road uniforms, Cal McNair decided to react.
So, McNair released a photograph on Reddit of wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell wearing the uniforms.
“There was a leak!?” Cal McNair said during the recent NFL owners’ meetings with a laugh for effect. “We did see that and got huddled up really quick and came up with a plan to sort of address it straight-on. We had Nico and Tank in the uniforms.”
“Much better models,” Hannah McNair said.
“The uniforms looked a lot better on them,” Cal McNair added. “They’re excited to put them on and show them off and we’re excited for the fans to see those. We just felt like it was the right thing to be transparent and straight-on and address it.”
Dell and Collins were wearing white jerseys and navy-blue pants with matching blue helmets.
“I’m fired up about the new uniforms,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It’s 2024, time for a fresh look for the Texans. I know we’ve had the same uniforms since our organization started here in 2002. I was messing with the guys earlier, talking about how I wore the same uniform that they’re wearing, and I think it’s time for an update. And credit to Doug (Vosik), Cal and Hannah, all the work and time that went into coming out with a new look that I think our fans will be excited about.
“I think the coolest part about the new uniforms is, as you guys know, having our fans’ input into the look of our new uniform. I thought that was pretty cool and pretty unique by our organization, being able to talk to our fans and get a true feel for what our fans wanted to see. And of course, our players are fired up about the new look, so it’ll be an exciting reveal next week for everyone.”
The Texans, with feedback from their fans and players, have been working on the new uniforms for over a year with Vosik leading the team in collaboration with several entities, including the league and Nike.
“There’s been a lot of ideas and a lot of conversations,” Cal McNair said. “It’s been a lot of fun. We didn’t think we could get it done this fast. For Doug and his group to execute on a fast-paced plan, the NFL has supported us. We had great support from Nike, and we’re excited for the fans to see the whole closet in a couple of weeks.”
Discussions began over a year ago. And the organization prioritized getting it done with all of the guidelines for new uniform approval in time for next season.
“I think they’re dope,” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. “I think it really just gives back to the Houston community and I think it does a good job of getting the community back involved in football. Back involved with the Texans’ brand of ball and I’m really excited for everyone to see them. I’m really excited for everyone to see what we have going on here.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.