Michigan unveils 'legacy' road uniforms moments before kickoff at MSU

By Rich Rezler Freelance Sports Reporter

Posted on Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.

Michigan freshman linebacker Frank Clark flashes the inside of his gloves to reveal block Ms as the Wolverines take the field with unexpected 'legacy' uniforms.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

With Michigan State wearing its Nike-designed Pro Combat Series uniforms, the Michigan football team had a a fashion surprise of its own on Saturday.

After warming up in their traditional road uniforms, the Wolverines took the field moments before kickoff in a white-over-white version of the "legacy" uniforms they wore against Notre Dame earlier this season.

The Michigan athletic department sent a press release about the switch at exactly noon, the time of the kickoff in East Lansing:

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Prior to kickoff of the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the University of Michigan football team unveiled a legacy uniform designed by apparel provider adidas.

"Our players really enjoyed the uniforms from the night game with Notre Dame so we decided to surprise them and the country with a new-look design for the Michigan State game," said head coach Brady Hoke. "This is such a great in-state rivalry that we decided to honor the former players that played in this game."

The legacy jersey is a compilation of design elements from different eras of Michigan football. It features player numbers on the front and back of the jersey with a block M above the heart and repeating striped sleeves. The shirts under the uniform have "Victors" on the left bicep and "Valiant" on the right bicep.

The white pants are a throwback to the 1974 and 1975 seasons when the program wore all white on the road. In addition, the Wolverines wore two-tone socks with blue on top (calf) and white on the bottom.

Player numbers continued to appear on the famous winged helmet that first appeared in the late 1960s. After wearing them on the helmets for the Notre Dame game, head coach Brady Hoke decided to continue the tradition before the start of the conference season to pay homage to the former players that represented the program in the past.

Michigan warmed up in its traditional road uniforms but returned for the start of the game in the new legacy uniforms.