HOUSTON – In a week, the Texans will officially unveil all four of their new uniforms and helmets at a reveal party.
While one uniform version, their white road uniforms was leaked before Texans principal owner Cal McNair released a photo of wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell wearing them, the defending AFC South champions are going to release all four of the uniforms at a party April 23 at 713 Music Hall following a highly fan-inclusive and transparent process. The Texans involved their fan council, other fans along with staff, current and former players to get input and ideas, incorporating much of that feedback, which included 10,000 surveys and more than 30 focus groups, into the uniform redesign.
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Texans players, some fans and local media have seen the new uniforms, which includes changes to jerseys, pants and helmets. And the response has been enthusiastic, especially from the athletes who’ll be wearing them.
“I think they’re cool,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “I don’t want to say too much, but I think people will like them. Really excited. I think that brings a new energy to NRG, which is kind of ironic, but I’m super excited just to be wearing new stuff. I liked the unis last year too, but I think it’s time for change and it’s a new era now. We’ll be able to build with these unis and look good while doing it.”
In the wake of a recent unauthorized uniform leak on social media of a model wearing the Texans’ new road uniforms, Cal McNair decided to react.
So, McNair released a photograph on Reddit of wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell wearing the uniforms.
“There was a leak!?” Cal McNair said during the recent NFL owners’ meetings with a laugh for effect. “We did see that and got huddled up really quick and came up with a plan to sort of address it straight-on. We had Nico and Tank in the uniforms.”
“Much better models,” Hannah McNair said.
The Texans will unveil four new uniforms April 23.
“The uniforms looked a lot better on them,” Cal McNair added. “They’re excited to put them on and show them off and we’re excited for the fans to see those. We just felt like it was the right thing to be transparent and straight-on and address it.”
Dell and Collins were wearing white jerseys and navy-blue pants with matching blue helmets.
“I’m fired up about the new uniforms,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It’s 2024, time for a fresh look for the Texans. I know we’ve had the same uniforms since our organization started here in 2002. I was messing with the guys earlier, talking about how I wore the same uniform that they’re wearing, and I think it’s time for an update. And credit to Doug (Vosik), Cal and Hannah, all the work and time that went into coming out with a new look that I think our fans will be excited about.
“I think the coolest part about the new uniforms is, as you guys know, having our fans’ input into the look of our new uniform. I thought that was pretty cool and pretty unique by our organization, being able to talk to our fans and get a true feel for what our fans wanted to see. And of course, our players are fired up about the new look, so it’ll be an exciting reveal next week for everyone.”
The Texans, with feedback from their fans and players, have been working on the new uniforms for over a year with executive Doug Vosik leading the team in collaboration with several entities, including the league and Nike.
“There’s been a lot of ideas and a lot of conversations,” Cal McNair said. “It’s been a lot of fun. We didn’t think we could get it done this fast. For Doug and his group to execute on a fast-paced plan, the NFL has supported us. We had great support from Nike, and we’re excited for the fans to see the whole closet in a couple of weeks.”
Discussions began over a year ago. And the organization prioritized getting it done with all of the guidelines for new uniform approval in time for next season.
“I think they’re dope,” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. “I think it really just gives back to the Houston community and I think it does a good job of getting the community back involved in football. Back involved with the Texans brand of ball and I’m really excited for everyone to see them. I’m really excited for everyone to see what we have going on here.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.