We all get a little bored around the holiday season, but CFL fan Nelson Hackewich found plenty to entertain himself with.
The graphic designer and digital media specialist took the time to reimagine all nine CFL team uniforms — while also taking it upon himself to design one for the proposed Atlantic Schooners — in what he called the CFL City series.
The native of Regina revealed one uniform set a day on Twitter over the Christmas season to rave reviews and 3DownNation has collected them here for you to enjoy in their entirety. Make sure to give Nelson a follow and show him some love for the great work!
Let’s look at them from west to east.
B.C. Lions
#CFLCity Launches with the #Lions – 1970's stripes – the black base and neck pattern of the 90's – 2019 Numbers and topped off with a chrome orange helmet with the new BC mark. #CFL pic.twitter.com/xfRxVbWiVa
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 20, 2021
B.C.’s current jersey is all about the orange, but Nelson flips the script to bring back a black base. The old school lettering on the helmet provides a nice touch.
Calgary Stampeders
#Stamps "Wild Ride" concept is day 2 of the #CFLCity series – Matte black helmet from their signature series uni, 1980's helmet stripe with added barbed wire from 2021 – 1970 shoulder stripes and silver accents #CFL pic.twitter.com/Ud8dD8AhV0
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 21, 2021
This Stampeders look is crisp and clean, with a design that accents the barbed wire on the helmets and makes the band of silver really pop.
Edmonton Elks
#CFLCity day 3 – The #Elks: 90's collar, 2000's 3 tone numbers, Elks helmet logo used this season VS SSK, use of traditional helmet stripe, worked in the EE mark on the bumper, use of antler mark as a pant stripe. #CFL #AntlerUp pic.twitter.com/FRCwXtwtzj
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 22, 2021
The Elks just re-designed their whole look in the name change process, but it’s never too early to start fresh. Nelson’s take will keep the fan base happy, bringing back their iconic gold numbers.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
#CFLCity Day 4: The Green and wheat. The colour comes from what is believed to be a prototype sweater from 1948 when the then Regina Roughriders were in process of changing their colours – shoulder stripe style is borrowed from 1989 combined with current elements #Riders #CFL pic.twitter.com/4BE6k6DvSe
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 23, 2021
Based off a 1948 prototype, this Riders’ jersey somehow makes us feel nostalgic for something that never was. It begs the interesting question: are the Green Riders simply too green?
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
#CFLCity Day 5: The Gold Standard – Chrome gold helmet, 1960's lightning bolt fashioned into 1958's one tone shoulder stripe, with the gold numbers of the 2000's #ForTheW #Bombers #CFL pic.twitter.com/JzLcl4EC2z
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 24, 2021
It may be based on a throwback, but that doesn’t stop us from getting Colour Rush vibes from this Bombers look. Look good, feel good, complete the three-peat, am I right?
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
#CFLCity Day 6: Steel Town – Steel grey from the #Ticats signature unis, shoulder cap, and stripes from the 70's #CFL pic.twitter.com/cSx0zt2ok1
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 25, 2021
Nelson puts the ‘steel’ back in Steeltown with this silver look, complete with ‘The Hammer’ emblazoned on the helmets. A perfect ode to the city.
Toronto Argonauts
Part 2 "The 6ix" – Matte black helmet with gold A from 91' this time with one-tone 1970's stripes. #CFL #Argos #CFLCity pic.twitter.com/u8LmdrFZZE
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 26, 2021
A team so old, they needed two new looks. Nelson goes with the controversial Oxford blue for the more traditional of the two uniforms, before breaking the mold with matte black and gold to honour ‘The Six’.
Ottawa Redblacks
Day 8 of #CFLCity: Rideau Red – everything borrowed from the glory years, with a current twist. 1960’s style saw blade shoulder stripes, single plaid helmet stripe with front and back numbers, and of course. The stand alone R #Rnation #CFL pic.twitter.com/Pt9QhtGRpD
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 27, 2021
More red, less black was the rule of thumb for Ottawa. Plaid is tacky, so Nelson keeps it to a minimum for his version of the Redblacks.
Montreal Alouettes
#CFLCity day 9: Defend The Island – 1974 Delta style shoulder loops with a nod to the 425 Squadron. 1999, 2-tone collar, Red/White numbers from the 2009 Alt. And helmet stripes from the 2000’s. A nod to all eras with the logo cluster on the bumper and pants #CFL #MontreAls pic.twitter.com/Yhvr9qpATq
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 28, 2021
This jersey feels like a nod to every era in Montreal football at the same time, completely encapsulating the history of the franchise right down to the hidden past logos.
Atlantic Schooners
#CFLCity Day 10: Ready Aye Ready – The connection between the Schooners and the Royan Canadian Navy needs to be strong when launching their brand and they should wear that motto proudly, meaning "Always Ready" #CFL #Schooners pic.twitter.com/xPkEwDgsQx
— Nelson Hackewich (@NelsonHackewich) December 29, 2021
Well there you have it CFL, the Atlantic Schooners have to be brought into existence. It would be a crime to have a uniform design this nice and have no one wear it!
