The University of Tennessee has pulled the curtain back on its latest "Smokey Grey" football uniforms, and fans can look forward to seeing the team take the field in these threads during a selected home game in the 2024 season. Unveiled last Saturday, the new gear serves up a cocktail of state pride and sporty elegance, infused with distinct symbols representing the state’s cultural and geographic identity. In a nod to Tennessee, the new incarnation of the kit flaunts the Tennessee Tri-Star emblem and includes the state flag's white stripe adorning the pants, as WATE reported.
Under the contract with sporting giant Nike, UT is not skimping on the details, the partnership, announced back in 2022, guarantees new Smokey Grey designs each season until at least 2025, this year's design marks the first time "Tennessee" is emblazoned below the Power T on a home jersey—a salute to the state that's hard to miss, the uniforms also set themselves apart with a helmet showcasing a mountain design in honor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and these design choices are more than just aesthetic—according to UT, the "three white stars that comprise the logo represent the three grand divisions of Tennessee: West, Middle and East," which the white circle symbolically unites.
But it's not just about looking good on the field. Tennessee Football's in-house creative agency, 151 Creative, worked together with UT equipment staff and Nike to tailor these uniforms, as expressed by the On3 website. Last year's iteration paid homage to Condredge Holloway, a pioneering quarterback for the Vols and a trailblazer as the first Black player to start at quarterback in the SEC, as detailed by Knox News.
In terms of the rollout, Volunteer State enthusiasts can expect to snag their Smokey Grey merch later this month and into early August, and those looking to show their school spirit can check out the offerings at the official UT sports shop or local retailers—so not only will the Vols be decked out in state-inspired glory, but the fans can match from head to toe, alongside the team they'll cheer for no matter where they call home in Tennessee, the university says that this year's campaign features landmarks across the state from Memphis to Knoxville—ensuring that every Tennessean feels included in this state-spanning sartorial tribute.
