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The Oklahoma Sooners unveiled a set of alternate uniform on Tuesday afternoon, which will be worn sparingly throughout the 2014 season. The alternate combinations will not replace the Sooners' current look, but will add to the team's uniform repertoire moving forward.
The football program's media release states that the uniforms were inspired by the rich heritage of the state of Oklahoma, as well as the Sooners' storied football history. The seven-time national championship program has worn the same uniforms since the 1960's, but will pay homage to the past with an alternate white helmet. Worn under coach Bud Wilkinson, the white-helmeted Sooners were dubbed national champions in 1950, 1955, and 1956.
The helmets, as well as the shoulder of each jersey and stripes along the pants, feature a wood-grain pattern, which symbolizes the texture of the Sooner Schooner, the celebratory Conestoga that the famed Ruf/Neks drive onto the field after every Oklahoma score. In addition to the white helmet, Oklahoma has an alternate crimson helmet that features a wood-grain pattern and enlarge, interlocking "OU".
The newly unveiled jerseys have the pattern on the sleeves, as previously noted, but also have other various references to the program's rich football history. On the inside collar of the "Rough Rider" uniforms is the slogan "47 straight", in reference to the Sooners' 47-game winning streak, which took place from 1953-1957. For the first time, however, the word "Oklahoma" will replace "Sooners" across the front chest of Nike Chain Maille uniform.
The university is unsure when, specifically, these uniforms will be worn, but will be worn on several occasions. As fans will recall, the Sooners have worn special throwback uniforms in the past, for the 2003 game against North Texas, as well as the 2009 matchup with Texas Tech. Both uniforms were a nod to the Wilkinson-era teams. The Sooners also wore commemorative uniforms, with gold trim, for last year's Red River Showdown with Texas.
More images of the Sooners' alternate uniforms are below:
