SMU football uniforms through the ages

1920’s SMU football team Photo credit: SMU DeGoyler LibrarySMU’s football program has seen its share of highs and lows, especially since the team was dealt the death in the late 1980s. Yet for over a century, its team and uniforms have continued to improve dramatically.

During the ‘20s to the mid-‘40s, the uniforms were very simple, consisting of wool jerseys and pants with leather under padding. Shoes and helmets at the time were also composed entirely of leather. Helmets during this time period were considered optional.

SMU Heritage Hall Curator Gerry York said in an email interview that SMU’s earliest football uniforms were composed of the school’s official colors: red and blue.…