ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons are moving to black pants with black jerseys for their home uniforms in the 2020 NFL season as part of a redesign the team said respects past fashion choices with updates "to match the modern progression of Atlanta."
The team's first redesign in 17 years also includes white jerseys and white pants for road uniforms. The Falcons will continue to use black helmets.
Each new look features red stripes. The black home jerseys will have white numbers. The all-white road uniforms include black numbers. The chest of the jerseys features the letters ATL, a reference to Atlanta's nickname as "the ATL."
Falcons team president Rich McKay said the redesign was influenced by feedback from fans.
"Black has been a part of our organization since we took the field in 1966," McKay explained in a release unveiling the uniforms on Wednesday, "so we've stayed true to our roots and have given our fans and players what they've been asking for over many years."
Also new is a "Rise Up" alternate uniform with a pattern rising from black to red.
The new looks replace a design that included red, black or white jerseys with white pants.
Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan said "there's just a feeling to" the new uniforms. He said the home redesign with "head to toe in black is going to be good, too."
"I don't know what it is, but I know there's a feeling that comes with it for the guys, too, when we see that in our lockers," Ryan said.
Among the alternate uniforms is a throwback design from the team's inaugural season.
The unveiling of the new uniforms comes as the coronavirus pandemic has forced the postponement or cancellation of many sporting events, including competition for Atlanta United FC in Major League Soccer and the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball.
"I think these new uniforms will give us, give the city a new energy, and I think people are going to really be excited about it," defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said in the release.
"We know this is a tough time for everyone right now, but we hope this can bring some excitement and light to our city and our fans. Around the whole world, everybody knows what ATL stands for, so we're proud to represent that, today and every day."
Arthur Blank, who has owned the Falcons since 2002 and also owns Atlanta United, thanked first responders and health care workers in an open letter regarding the uniform changes and his hope that sports "will continue to be a unifier."
"Football will be back," Blank wrote, "and when it is, I can promise our Falcons will be stronger than ever for you, our loyal fans and for our city."
Blank also emphasized the redesign as a response to requests from fans and said he knows the team is about to enter "an exciting new era of Falcons football."
The Falcons have made several roster changes this offseason after back-to-back 7-9 records, but Dan Quinn is back for a sixth season as head coach with an understanding that progress is expected. Atlanta capped the 2016 season, Quinn's second, by reaching the Super Bowl, but the Falcons have just one playoff victory since losing that title game to the New England Patriots in overtime.
"I couldn't be more thrilled to see this look come together," Quinn said in the release. "Not only will the players be happy, but I think our fans will be happy. I know the head coach is! During this tough time for so many, we hope this new look gives our fans something to look forward to."
The NFL typically announces its upcoming schedule in mid-April, but according to multiple media reports, that reveal could be delayed this year because of the uncertain nature of the season due to the pandemic.
The Falcons do know their opponents for 2020, however. In addition to their regular home-and-home series with NFC South members (Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), they'll host the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks, and they will travel to face the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings.