Since 2013, NFL teams have been limited to one helmet in the interest of player safety. Teams are required to have only one helmet so players would practice and play in the same one.
That rule is changing this season, allowing teams to have alternate helmets for the first time in nearly a decade – and it’s paved the way for the Cincinnati Bengals to make a drastic improvement to their away uniform combination.
The Bengals posted a short video on Twitter on Thursday morning teasing the news that they would be adding a white helmet to their white-on-white uniforms, calling the new uniform combination “White Bengal.”
Coming soon. #WhiteBengal
Presented by Swift Meats pic.twitter.com/FGcavLdjsm
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 14, 2022
While the announcement was cryptic and the Bengals themselves have yet to release a photo of the new white helmet after announcing the news on Twitter, Pro Football Focus shared a mockup of what the uniform combination will look like.
The Bengals have announced an alternate “White Bengal” helmet to be worn next season ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/PUmayA2Xkx
— PFF (@PFF) July 14, 2022
The uniform combination is inspired by the rare white Bengal tigers, which were made famous by Siegfried & Roy, an entertainment duo that utilized the tigers in a stage performance.
As the new uniform mock-up reached the NFL world, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive with a few suggestions that Cincinnati should wear this uniform combination every game.
*applauds in Sigfried and Roy* https://t.co/VbQhsHm46f
— Ty Schalter (@tyschalter) July 14, 2022
These uniforms vs. the Patriots' throwback reds on X-mas Eve Day at Gillette. Need it. https://t.co/Qk423F7j1g
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) July 14, 2022
Oh this is just beautiful. https://t.co/qV4EZoRlYy
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) July 14, 2022
Glorious! https://t.co/BX1TbRuJ6R
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) July 14, 2022
I've never thought these jerseys were all too great, but the helmet really ties it all together. https://t.co/9rk6p0sRJY
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) July 14, 2022
17-0 if they wore these every week https://t.co/DeketVEd6f
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) July 14, 2022
Make this the default ASAP. https://t.co/RcF6rhEPS5
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) July 14, 2022
Between last year’s unlikely Super Bowl appearance and these incredible uniforms, the past couple of years have been quite the glow-up for the Bengals.
[PFF]
