Defence Of

This isn't the first time I've been in the corner of UnderArmour and the University of Maryland, College Park on a uniform, and it probably won't be the last. But the "1812" uniform that will be worn this weekend as the Terps take on WVU may be instant one for the ages.

This coming college football weekend - the one that sits closest to September 11 - has for years been one that has invoked patriotic-inspired uniforms in teams. UnderArmour has often been the supplier, and at times the culprit of ill-advised uniforms. Here, they went a slightly different route with their flagship program, and the result is nothing short of amazing. This weekend also commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812; it is this battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry," which would ultimately become the Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem. The uniform features the text of the poem on its sleeves, helmet, and cleats. Players will wear a red belt reminiscent of those worn by American military officers of the day, and the helmet logo is a star-spangled outline of Fort McHentry, which conveniently resembles a turtle. UnderArmour took what had become an old meme in uniforms and gave it a refresh that's positively Maryland, and I love it.