Angelo Cataldi: Why the Eagles can’t just change to kelly green

The Eagles have talked about returning to their kelly green jerseys for years. Credit: Getty Images

Eagles fans love Chip Kelly, and they also love kelly green. In fact, they think this a perfect time to bring the two together. If only it were that simple.

Last week, I did something really, really stupid. I asked Eagles president Don Smolenski on my WIP radio show if the organization was considering a return to the kelly-green uniforms of their past. I didn’t expect him to say yes – or to imply, at least, that a change in the color scheme was under consideration.

But he did, triggering an outpouring of fan emotion. Although details are still sketchy, it appears that the Eagles want to introduce a third uniform that would bring back the old color. The request – still years away from approval – requires a redesign of the helmet because kelly green clashes horribly with the current midnight green. And that’s when the situation gets complicated.

The growing concern over concussions has led to major changes in the design of helmets, and an entire new set would require all sorts of extra production and testing. No one is ready to sign off on that extra work right now, so the idea of a new kelly-green uniform is nothing more than that.

What the outcry proved, however, is just how strongly fans feel about the original color of the Eagles uniforms. Many callers said last week they would welcome the chance to replace all of their midnight-green jerseys with a new kelly-green one if the change is made.

In short, there’s money to be made by the NFL – big money. So don’t rule out a change. The NFL never passes up a way to make more money.

As for me, I’m just sorry I asked the question.