Under Armour is the official apparel company for the University of Maryland football program. Fair enough, but Monday night the debut of the teams new uniforms was a more intriguing subject than the game itself.
The Terrapins hosted the Miami Hurricanes at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium, and ultimately won the game. The victory was significant in that Randy Edsall began a new chapter as head coach after leaving a 12-year tenure with the UConn Huskies.
Miami was without star quarterback Jacory Harris who served a one-game suspension for violating NCAA rules.
But, back to those uniforms.
One thing is for sure — the uniforms are unique. I don’t think the Terps have to worry about being noticed or forgotten. To be honest, the uni’s have a test crash dummy feel to them, and watching the players fly around the field didn’t make that visual any less plausible.
Twitter was abuzz with all sorts of comments. Some good, most perplexed.
Under Armour’s CEO, Kevin Plank is a Maryland alum and former Terrapin football player. He is also a staunch supporter of the university and its athletics, much in the same vein as Phil Knight is for Oregon. If Plank is going to give his creative all to outfitting college sports teams, why not begin with the team that holds your allegiance and heart.
Under Armour and the Terps might be on to something, though. The uniforms could be their golden goose this season. Ones confidence has to be sky high to run out on the field that way, week after week. And, that’s exactly what they displayed when they beat Miami, 32-24.
Long live the dare to be different.
