Orange Memories: The History and Future of Auburn Football’s Throwback Jerseys
Auburn University’s football program is known for many things: its rich history, passionate fanbase, and iconic navy and white uniforms. However, tucked away in the pages of Auburn’s storied athletic past is a lesser-known chapter involving the color orange. For a brief period during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Auburn’s football team wore orange jerseys—a distinctive look that has since faded into history. While the bold color may not be part of Auburn’s current uniform rotation, the legacy of the orange jerseys remains in the hearts of some fans and players, sparking hope for a potential return.
The Introduction of Orange: A Nod to Tradition
The Auburn Tigers football team has always had a strong association with blue and white, but their association with orange began in 1927, when the team first donned orange jerseys as part of their uniform ensemble. At the time, Auburn’s athletic teams were working to craft a distinct identity that would set them apart from the competition. In those early years, the jerseys were not consistently used, and orange never fully supplanted the school’s primary colors of blue and white. However, the brief appearance of orange jerseys in the early part of the 20th century set the stage for future experimentation with the color.
It wasn’t until the late 1970s, under head coach Doug Barfield, that Auburn’s use of orange jerseys gained significant attention. Barfield, who had taken over as head coach in 1976, was looking for ways to reinvigorate the program and boost the team’s identity. The 1970s were a time of change for college football, with teams around the country looking for ways to differentiate themselves both on and off the field. Auburn, a school already with a strong fan following and a rich football history, was no exception. In the late 1970s, the Tigers began experimenting with different uniform combinations, including the introduction of orange jerseys.
The Doug Barfield Era: A Brief but Memorable Stretch
The most memorable period of orange jerseys in Auburn football history occurred during the Doug Barfield era, from 1978 to 1980. It was during this time that the orange jerseys made their most significant appearance and sparked discussions among fans, players, and the media. Barfield was a figure determined to change the perception of Auburn football. He wanted his team to look distinctive and bring a fresh energy to the program. This led to the introduction of an orange jersey in 1978, a bold move that would leave a lasting impression.
The first game in which the Tigers wore orange jerseys was a road matchup against Georgia on November 11, 1978. The game, which ended in a 22-22 tie, was a pivotal moment in Auburn football history. The orange jerseys were eye-catching and stood out among the sea of typical football uniforms. The contrast between the vibrant orange and the standard blue and white was striking, and it quickly became a point of conversation among fans and media alike.
Though the game ended in a tie, the visual impact of the orange jerseys was undeniable. The bold, bright color caught the attention of those watching, both inside and outside of Auburn’s fanbase. The jerseys were a symbol of change and boldness in a program that was trying to re-establish itself as a contender in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
In the following years, Auburn continued to wear the orange jerseys on occasion. However, after the 1980 season, the orange jerseys were discontinued, and the team returned to its traditional blue and white uniforms. The decision to phase out the orange jerseys was likely influenced by a combination of factors, including fan reception, team performance, and the general trend toward uniform consistency in college football.
The End of the Orange Era
After the 1980 season, the orange jerseys faded into Auburn football history. Despite their brief run, the jerseys never fully captured the imagination of the program or its fanbase in the way that other iconic uniforms, such as Alabama’s crimson jerseys or Notre Dame’s golden helmets, had done for their respective programs. In the end, the orange jerseys were relegated to the history books, becoming a curious footnote in Auburn’s long and storied football legacy.
However, the absence of the orange jerseys did not mark the end of their significance. Over the years, there have been sporadic calls from fans, players, and alumni to bring the throwback look back to life. These calls have only intensified in recent years as Auburn football has undergone a resurgence in its on-field success and fan engagement.
A Modern Push for Orange Jerseys
Fast forward to 2022, and the desire to see Auburn’s orange jerseys make a comeback has not faded away. In fact, it has grown stronger. The movement to revive the orange jerseys gained significant momentum when Auburn team captains Owen Pappoe and Derick Hall publicly voiced their support for the throwback look. Pappoe, a standout linebacker, and Hall, a dynamic edge rusher, were two of the most influential players on the team during the 2022 season, and their endorsement of the orange jerseys carried significant weight.
The players expressed their desire to bring back the orange jerseys as part of an effort to celebrate Auburn’s rich history and build a stronger connection with the fanbase. Pappoe and Hall’s public support for the idea sparked excitement among fans, many of whom had fond memories of the orange jerseys from the 1970s and 1980s. The push for the return of the jerseys became a rallying cry for those who believed that Auburn’s history of wearing orange should not be forgotten.
In 2022, Auburn football made an effort to incorporate orange into their game-day attire, albeit in a slightly different form. The team introduced an “All Auburn, All Orange” promotion for their home game against Penn State. The promotion featured Auburn players wearing orange facemasks and accessories, including orange socks, gloves, and cleats. While the orange jerseys themselves did not make a return, the promotional effort was a clear indication that the program was willing to experiment with incorporating more orange into their uniform rotation.
The “All Auburn, All Orange” promotion was met with enthusiasm from fans, who saw it as a potential sign that Auburn football might one day return to the orange jerseys. The combination of the orange accessories and facemasks was a nod to the past, while also allowing for a modern twist. It was a compromise that allowed the program to celebrate its history without fully committing to a complete uniform overhaul.
The Future of Auburn’s Orange Jerseys
Despite the excitement surrounding the potential return of the orange jerseys, there are still many questions about whether they will ever be worn again in a meaningful way. The challenges surrounding the return of the orange jerseys are significant. For one, Auburn’s current blue and white uniforms are iconic and deeply ingrained in the program’s identity. Changing the uniform design could create backlash from fans who are deeply attached to the traditional look.
Additionally, there are logistical and financial factors to consider. Uniforms are expensive to design, manufacture, and maintain, and a wholesale change to the jersey colors could be an expensive undertaking. Auburn would also need to carefully consider how to balance the nostalgia of the orange jerseys with the desire to maintain a sense of continuity and tradition with their existing uniforms.
However, as college football continues to evolve and fan engagement becomes more important than ever, it’s not out of the question that Auburn might one day bring back the orange jerseys for a special occasion. The uniform has a unique place in the program’s history, and as fan support for the idea continues to grow, it’s possible that Auburn football could embrace a retro look in the future.
The Legacy Lives On
While Auburn’s orange jerseys may remain a relic of the past for now, their legacy endures in the hearts of fans and players who remember their brief but memorable run in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The orange jerseys represent a time of change and boldness in Auburn football history—a time when the program was willing to take risks and experiment with its identity.
As the program continues to build on its past success and push for new heights, the memories of those orange jerseys may eventually lead to a revival. Whether or not Auburn football ever returns to wearing orange jerseys on a regular basis remains to be seen, but for now, the idea of bringing them back continues to capture the imagination of fans and players alike. Perhaps one day, the bold, bright color of orange will once again be synonymous with Auburn football—a nod to tradition and a symbol of the program’s continuing evolution.
