It was a game scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but the Indianapolis Colts went with a nighttime theme for their Week 7 contest against the Cleveland Browns. And it was a look that sparked strong reactions across the NFL landscape and prompted a new name.
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‘Indiana Nights’ Jerseys Make Debut, Sparks New Name for Colts
A hype video was first released Saturday, leading into the unveiling of the new alternate look from the Colts.
The city looking right for Indiana Nights. ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/MD9X7OdpyR
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 22, 2023
Then, before 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, the Colts officially dubbed themselves with a new name — the Indiana Nighthawks.
Indiana Nighthawks. pic.twitter.com/33E2X6GM2w
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 22, 2023
This time, their famed white horseshoe uniform was donned with a black shade, giving it the evening feel. The home uniforms were also given a touch-up with a darker blue. The shoulder pads additionally went through a makeover with a double-white stripe look. The new uniforms also brought out a singing tune.
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What was the reason behind the fresh new look? The Colts explained it in a release through their team website.
“Decades of tradition meets a new, bolder look inspired by the blue and black of the Indiana night skies. Designed to honor our home state and the resiliency that drives us every day, these threads are for you, Colts fans. These are our ‘Indiana Nights,'” the release said.
Strong Reactions Surface for ‘Indiana Nights’ Colts Look
The Colts gave themselves a 10 out of 10 rating the moment starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II went out to the field. The fan reactions didn’t take long to sprout online, including this thought from a Colts fan on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“What if we changed our name to that,” the fan asked, referencing the Indiana Nighthawks.
Dynasty Pros Fantasy Football analyst Dustin Ludke was a fan of the appearance.
“I love the black helmet with the blue horseshoe,” he said.
Not everyone, however, was convinced about the look. One fan compared the “Indiana Nights” theme to a school composition book.
Even rival fans of the Colts chimed in — one representing the Tennessee Titans fan base calling the appearance “pajamas.”
The Pajamas are out. Time to put the NFL to sleep with these boring Uniforms. 😴
— Titan Anderson Sports🎙 (@TitanAnderson1) October 22, 2023
Another fan thought they were seeing a college football team from the Atlantic Coast Conference with the appearance by the Colts.
“First thing that comes to my mind when seeing these is Duke Blue Devils,” the fan said.
Another fan thought they were seeing velvet on the field.
“These look like some created team in Madden when you relocate with terrible uniforms. Also they look they’re almost made from velvet,” the fan posted.
Turns out the Colts got off to a rough start with the “Indiana Nights” theme. In the opening play, Minshew fumbled the ball on a sack before the Colts recovered. They eventually punted two plays later.
However, since the opening miscue, Indianapolis went on to score in two of their next three offensive possessions. Josh Downs breezed through the Browns’ defense with a 59-yard stroll.
Minshew then ended up calling his own number on the 17-yard touchdown run, in a play where he “shook out everyone” inside Lucas Oil Stadium to give Indy the 14-7 lead.
Both teams were tied at 14 before halftime as the Browns’ Kareem Hunt scored on a two-yard run.
