[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]When NOB founder Scott Anderson asked me to go with him to UK’s unveiling of the new football uniforms, I was all about it. I mean after all, this was my first ever press conference as a member of the UK media. Add to that, I would be part of only a select few to see the newly crafted uni’s for the football Wildcats. It was a no brainer, I had to go. Plus, I might even run into some people I respect and admire and maybe some I don’t.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]This being my first experience with something like this, I initially had some questions. The first was “what do I wear”. I was going to go with a UK shirt and jeans. Just to be safe, I called my mentor and friend Larry Vaught to ask what would be appropriate. He told me to go with a polo and khakis. My outfit was ready and so was I (that sentence was very cliché-sish, whatev).[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]When I found the theater, I illegally parked and slipped inside. Scott was in the lobby looking for me. I found him by one of many flat screen tv’s that were playing UK football highlights. As Scott joked, many of which were occurring against Vanderbilt. Food servers were making rounds with mini-ham sandwiches and crackers with tomatoes. I quickly raided the beverage bar and shot the crap with Scott and new friend Brent Carney.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]We discussed what the jerseys may look like. We had it down to Black with blue flames and an actual horse tail on the helmet. It would resemble an Oregon football jersey but with colors the human eye can tolerate, blue and white. This could be epic. UK could have as much notoriety for their uniforms as Boise State has for their blue field. It could be UK’s niche, something that sets them apart from the rest.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]The event started with super loud music. As everyone ran to their seat, head coach Joker Phillips stepped up to the podium to introduce the official “Rise” video. I’m not sure if the video he was referring to ever played, but we did have “church up in there”. After the gospel music video ended and 2 impromptu baptisms later, Joker introduced us to the new outfits. Smoke busted out of the fog machines and the music was bumping (I believe this to be a correct term). At that moment, when the foreplay anticipation couldn’t have been any higher, out walk Brian Adams and Anthony Mosley in plain solid white and blue uniforms.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Collectively we thought we were missing something or that we’d been had. All this hype for…..this? Where’s the blue flames? Where’s my freaking horse tail? It was all explained and summed up in one phrase by the Nike Rep. “We designed this from the inside out”. Maybe, but I think they forgot about the OUT part. She went on and on about how the uniforms are lighter and eco-friendly and edible and everything else. I couldn’t help but wonder “why make everyone think that this was a big deal?”[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]I do not believe that Joker or UK really wanted to hold such an event for these particular jerseys. More than likely, Nike wanted to create some buzz and show off their newest design and technology. I’m not trying to come across like these jerseys are crap, because Adams and Mosley said they felt awesome. I am suggesting next time we have a public viewing lets actually have something to view. This could have been done much cheaper and quicker with a press release and photos. But if they did that, I wouldn’t have been able to go to my first press conference today. Altogether, it was fun, cool and…..Boom goes the sparkler.[/SIZE][/FONT]
