Jets 1963 preseason uniforms

Film footage of the Raiders vs. Jets preseason game from August 1963 seems to show the Jets wore a plain preseason uniform with no TV numbers or shoulder design at all, and it even looks like the Jets helmets are a light color with a dark center stripe flanked by white stripes (old Titans gear? seems odd). No Jets pant stripes either. The Raiders of course are in their 1963 preseason black and gold uniforms which predated the new Al Davis era silver and black versions introduced during the regular season.

The video is at a site called criticalpast.com (also appears on YouTube). Some of the photo thumbnails  on the site show the Jets helmets quite clearly. Note: Images on the site are proprietary.

Excellent find!





link to video -   http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675039212_Football_American-Football-League-preview_Oakland-Raiders_New-York-Jets

Well, keep in mind, the '63 Jets wore a single-striped (green) white helmet that year and added the 'Jet' logo on the side. It wasn't until 1964 when they adopted the white helmet with 2 green stripes. That aspect of the pictured uniforms isn't that unusual. The plain white jersey was definitely a staple of their preseason wardrobe in 1969 and 1970 but this is the first evidence we've uncovered earlier than that. The basic plain white pants is also unusual.

Thanks for the find!

The game itself had some drama behind it, which likely explains why this seemingly obscure exhibition game had film taken of it--besides the 27 unanswered points by Oakland in the fourth quarter to win 43-16. It was originally scheduled for August 23 in Mobile, Alabama, but four of the black Raider players refused to play if there was segregated seating. The game was moved to Oakland at the last minute and played on August 25. The late notice and the fact that the Browns and 49ers were playing at Kezar at the same time resulted in a crowd of just 8.317.