‘We’re gonna ball in them’: Player reactions to Illinois Red Grange throwback uniforms

On Wednesday, Illinois football announced that it would honor the legacy of Red Grange and his six-touchdown day for Memorial Stadium’s rededication game on Oct. 19, when the Illini host the Michigan Wolverines.

October’s game will mark exactly 100 years since ‘The Galloping Ghost’ ran for five touchdowns and threw for another against the Wolverines. The game was Memorial Stadium’s “Dedication Game,” which honored those who served the nation in World War I.

In the first game ever played at Memorial Stadium, the Illini beat the Wolverines 39-14.

Earlier this year, the program also announced three different throwback helmets that the team would use this season.

The Rededication throwback uniforms feature helmets that look to imitate the leather caps that were worn when Red Grange played. The helmets are handpainted by one of two artists specializing in airbrushing football helmets.

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At Illinois Football Media Day on Thursday, The Champaign Room had the opportunity to speak with players and gauge their opinions on the throwback uniforms.

“The helmet was sick. You’ve never seen that type of helmet.” sophomore wide receiver Malik Elzy said. “I feel like I could drip them out. Put something on with them.”

“That was lit, seeing the uniforms. That was lit,” defensive back Torrie Cox Jr. said. The junior transferred in from Ohio this offseason. “I ain’t never had no special uniform as well, you know? They look nice. We’re gonna ball in them.”

Terrance Brooks, a defensive back and fellow incoming transfer, doesn’t quite share Cox’s enthusiasm.

“I love the helmet, but no I’m not really a fan of the jersey I’m not gonna lie,” junior defensive back Terrance Brooks said. Brooks is a former top-100 recruit, transferring in from Texas.”

While Brooks had his likes and dislikes about the uniform, some teammates seem to love it.

Teammate Zy Crisler, entering his third year at Illinois after starting his career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, is one of those teammates.

“It was really cool to me,” offensive lineman Zy Crisler said. I ain’t really see how they used to wear the helmets with the little flaps, like little beanie hats back in the day. “It’s kind of nice and kind of cool. It made me go read more about back when they played and stuff like that. So I was pretty excited seeing it. I like the jerseys too, they’re pretty cool.”

“I like them. Especially the helmet, the helmet is pretty hard,” freshman quarterback Trey Petty said. He also tapped into how important the uniforms is, not just how they look. “Being able to be a part of that, the 100th anniversary and being able to wear those jerseys is a big honor.”

Tight end Tanner Arkin is also on the same page as Crisler and Petty, acknowledging the historical significance of the uniforms.

“I think they’re awesome. I think they did a great job,” Arkin said. “And I just think there’s so much history here. I just feel honored that I’m able to play in this 100 [year] anniversary game. I think it’ll be an awesome experience, especially against Michigan.”

When the Michigan Wolverines, the current defending champs, make the trip down to Champaign, the Illini will do their best to recreate what Red Grange did: beat the Wolverines.

What are your thoughts on the uniforms? Let us know in the comments!