The article I originally wrote for BBI five years ago has been updated to include the recent past, as well as incorporate new information and significant changes in the 1920s and 1930s.
Some of you are already aware that I am a researcher for the Gridiron Uniform Database. Our big task this offseason has been to deep-dive into historic newspaper databases searching for game photographs for the first two decade's of pro football. I've included the new findings for the Giants into this revision.
There's a link to the Giants page at the GUD. I encourage readers to click and explore the entire site. Thousands of hours of work have gone into what you'll see there.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
(and yes, I've posted this thread with Eric's blessing!)
Becoming Big Blue - (
New Window )
...Larry!
Thanks so much for all the research and wonderful write-up!!!
My Dad started taking me to Giants games in 1960 so reading your uniform article brought back many fond memories!
Tackling technique was very different. They rarely if ever launched into the ball carrier. Also remember, it was a two-way game until the late 1940's. After a change of possession players didn't leave the field. The game was more about endurance, players conserved energy and protected their bodies,
Highly recommended viewing.
World Champion NY Giants: Know Your Football - ( New Window )
Wish I could find one of those 1956 navy blue starter jackets (with red trim and an interlocked ny on the side) that they used to wear coming onto the field. Those were bad-ass..
Have you thought about self-publishing? I don't know to much about it but, I am pretty sure they have web-based services now that are relatively inexpensive(?).
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Ironically I shopped around the concept of a book last spring. I had a publisher interested...we went back and forth with some editing...long story short, its going to need to be a total rewrite. I think perhaps next offseason that will be my focus. Rewrite everything then shop it around again. Its a tedious process to say the least, but I think I need to do it.
Have you thought about self-publishing? I don't know to much about it but, I am pretty sure they have web-based services now that are relatively inexpensive(?).
If you are interested .... "Book Baby" self publishing company.
Owned by Amazon - - ( New Window )
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With only skimpy leather helmets? They probably suffered concussions on every play.
Tackling technique was very different. They rarely if ever launched into the ball carrier. Also remember, it was a two-way game until the late 1940's. After a change of possession players didn't leave the field. The game was more about endurance, players conserved energy and protected their bodies,
I really believe that if the NFL did away with helmets all this crap would go away. Players would immediately stop using their head on tackles, and all players would stop putting their heads down on contact. Watch rugby, the runners are upright and the tacklers use arm and body techniques instead of just trying to become a missle and blow someone up. Maybe I am naive, but thats what I think
They pretty much stopped wearing the red jerseys in 1953 when it was replaced with the white jersey. For a few years the red jersey was worn for pre season and occasional night games when white jerseys were not allowed.
Essentially, for the years 1953-1956 the white jersey was the Giants primary jersey. There was no "home" and "road" designation until 1957 when the NFL passed the rule that all teams were required to have two jersey, one of which had to be white. That year was the first the Giants began wearing blue at home. Prior to that they almost always worn either red or white.
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to this. When I first started following the Giants in ‘56, there were no red unis. I’m wondering if when they moved to Yankee Stadiun in ‘56, that they consciously decided to forego them completely?
They pretty much stopped wearing the red jerseys in 1953 when it was replaced with the white jersey. For a few years the red jersey was worn for pre season and occasional night games when white jerseys were not allowed.
Essentially, for the years 1953-1956 the white jersey was the Giants primary jersey. There was no "home" and "road" designation until 1957 when the NFL passed the rule that all teams were required to have two jersey, one of which had to be white. That year was the first the Giants began wearing blue at home. Prior to that they almost always worn either red or white.
Actually Larry they did wear home blue jerseys during some of the games in 1956. In fact, my first ever home game in ‘56 was against the Chicago Cardinals and I remember the Blue. Of course i started doubting my sanity after your post, so I went to You Tube for that 23-10 home win over the Cards and we were wearing Blue. Sanity restored..:)
Link - ( New Window )
In comment 14002972 Big Blue '56 said:
Actually Larry they did wear home blue jerseys during some of the games in 1956. In fact, my first ever home game in ‘56 was against the Chicago Cardinals and I remember the Blue. Of course i started doubting my sanity after your post, so I went to You Tube for that 23-10 home win over the Cards and we were wearing Blue.
Sanity restored..:) Link - ( New Window )
Hey - you don't need to work that hard...
Right now at the GUD we have nearly every matchup displayed going back as far as 1931. There are some holes here and there for games we haven't yet discovered a photo, but we have most covered.
All you have to do is go to the Giants team page, then click on a year and scroll down.
1956 Giants week-by-week - ( New Window )
They wore their blue jerseys 2 times - at Cleveland and at Philadelphia who both wore white at home. They wore their red jerseys once - at Baltimore for a night game which was color-vs-color, as the Colts wore their blue jerseys.
1954 Giants week by week. - ( New Window )