Purple and gold, the color scheme representing the Minnesota Vikings since the team’s inception in 1961, has become one of the most iconic color combinations in the NFL.
Although the team’s branding frequently features the two colors, the uniforms have rarely had more than just a few stripes of yellow. However, with a stylized serif made to resemble a Viking font, it sports a classy and professional look.
Minnesota’s primary home uniforms since 2013 have been solid purple jerseys and helmets with white pants and jersey numbers. The away uniforms have been essentially the same but inversed, keeping the helmet the same shade of purple.
The team brings out an all-white or all-purple combination about once a year, just to please the fans. Occasionally for primetime games, the all-purple fit is worn with the “color rush” variant that first appeared in 2016. The uniform goes out with the old and in with the new, with yellow numbers that pop out on the classic purple. For such a traditional theme, it is a nice change of pace.
Earlier this season, the Vikings encouraged fans to wear all white to the home game versus Indianapolis, causing speculation among many fans. Most assumed the team would be decked out in white jerseys, white pants, and white cleats. Some fans, however, thought the team would be debuting white helmets for the first time in franchise history. Prior to the 2022 season, the NFL changed the rule requiring one helmet shell per team for the entire season, and there had been a photo seemingly leaking the model helmet. All signs pointed to a much-requested winter concept uniform being set to action, but alas, purple helmets yet again.
This raised the question for many fans of if Minnesota would ever drastically change the design. One of the most requested concepts is a throwback to the 1990s-era uniforms worn by the likes of Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss. Though the design is much simpler, nostalgia would be the main draw. Others have suggested a throwback even further to the Purple People Eater days, the 1970s team that wore what looks like a modern-day middle school football team uniform scheme.
The team has not indicated any future changes, but if they were to, you would think they would be the introduction of white helmets. Fitting Minnesota’s harsh winter stereotype, going together with a Norse theme would be too perfect to pass up. Do not be surprised if an announcement is made in the next few years, as the team is well-aware of the fans’ requests.
