Can anyone explain this Bills jersey number oddity from the late 80's?

[BLeonard]

After buying jerseys every few years, only to see the player get traded, cut, etc, I decided that, if I ever bought another jersey, it'd be a throwback.  Most likely, a Jim Kelly jersey.  

 

But, I don't want the road Super Bowl XXV jersey, for obvious reasons.  I also don't want the 1994 version with the NFL 75th anniversary and Bills 35th anniversary patches (they had a losing season that year, so not really a fan).  Essentially, I just want a blue 90's Kelly jersey with no extra patches.

 

The problem is, pretty much every other throwback Kelly jersey is wrong.  Let me explain:

 

The first picture is the "Mitchell & Ness Legacy Replica."  This is the one on the Bills shop site.  The tag on the bottom reads "1990 Jim Kelly."  But, it always looked wrong to me.  After watching a clip of the 1990 AFC Championship, I figured out why.

 

The second picture is a screenshot of that game.  Look at the "2" on Kelly's jersey.  It's a straight diagonal line connecting the top of the number to the bottom, where the jersey in the first picture is more of a "box" #2, much like the Bills wear today.

 

So, I backtracked a bit and found that Kelly only wore the "box" 2 in 1986, his first season.  But, while watching a game from 1987 (Dolphins at Bills) I noticed that there were players simultaneously on the field, some with jerseys that had the "box" 2 and others that had the "diagonal" 2.  Pics 3 and 4 show #25 & #27 (Roland Mitchell & Ron Pitts) wearing the "box" 2 and #52 (John Kaiser) wearing the "diagonal" 2.

 

So, why was this?  I know this was before the NFL decided to start fining guys for wearing socks that were too high and/or the wrong color, but I'm trying to think of a reason why they'd not replace all of the jerseys at the same time.  Even if you're gonna phase them in, or didn't wanna buy all new jerseys at once, wouldn't you change all of the home jerseys one year and road the next or something like that?

[eball]

The answer is clear:  Ralph was cheap.

 

[machine gun kelly]

B, you’re putting way too much thought into it.  Enjoy the jersey and no worries.

[BLeonard]

7 minutes ago, eball said:

The answer is clear:  Ralph was cheap.

 

Yes, that thought had crossed my mind, lol

 

But, that begs the question, why did Kelly get a new jersey after his first season?  Wouldn't Ralph had said "I just made you the highest paid player in the league last year!  Buy your own damn jersey if you want a new one!"

2 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

B, you’re putting way too much thought into it.  Enjoy the jersey and no worries.

I wish it were that easy.  I'm pretty picky and that box-looking 2 on a throwback when I know it's not right is way too far out of my comfort zone, lol

[OutOfBubbleGum]

Right now Ralph Wilson is in his grave laughing at you. Happy Halloween.

[Solomon Grundy]

You'd make Columbo proud!! 

[ChevyVanMiller]

27 minutes ago, BLeonard said:

After buying jerseys every few years, only to see the player get traded, cut, etc, I decided that, if I ever bought another jersey, it'd be a throwback.  Most likely, a Jim Kelly jersey.  

 

But, I don't want the road Super Bowl XXV jersey, for obvious reasons.  I also don't want the 1994 version with the NFL 75th anniversary and Bills 35th anniversary patches (they had a losing season that year, so not really a fan).  Essentially, I just want a blue 90's Kelly jersey with no extra patches.

 

The problem is, pretty much every other throwback Kelly jersey is wrong.  Let me explain:

 

The first picture is the "Mitchell & Ness Legacy Replica."  This is the one on the Bills shop site.  The tag on the bottom reads "1990 Jim Kelly."  But, it always looked wrong to me.  After watching a clip of the 1990 AFC Championship, I figured out why.

 

The second picture is a screenshot of that game.  Look at the "2" on Kelly's jersey.  It's a straight diagonal line connecting the top of the number to the bottom, where the jersey in the first picture is more of a "box" #2, much like the Bills wear today.

 

So, I backtracked a bit and found that Kelly only wore the "box" 2 in 1986, his first season.  But, while watching a game from 1987 (Dolphins at Bills) I noticed that there were players simultaneously on the field, some with jerseys that had the "box" 2 and others that had the "diagonal" 2.  Pics 3 and 4 show #25 & #27 (Roland Mitchell & Ron Pitts) wearing the "box" 2 and #52 (John Kaiser) wearing the "diagonal" 2.

 

So, why was this?  I know this was before the NFL decided to start fining guys for wearing socks that were too high and/or the wrong color, but I'm trying to think of a reason why they'd not replace all of the jerseys at the same time.  Even if you're gonna phase them in, or didn't wanna buy all new jerseys at once, wouldn't you change all of the home jerseys one year and road the next or something like that?

After reviewing your evidence I am convinced, more than ever, that there was a second shooter.

[BillsfaninChicago]

They probably just threw what number styles were available on to the jerseys as needed as the roster updated over the season. It was pretty hodgepodge back then. I remember the “throwbacks” worn in the 1994 season. It was just a white Buffalo sticker slapped on their helmets.
 

You probably could find a game worn jersey somewhere online if you are looking to spend a bit more. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by BillsfaninChicago

[Coldfronts]

Obsessive compulsive....I feel your pain

[MJS]

From the pictures it looks like the box 2 is always the first number and the diagonal 2 is the second.

[uticaclub]

That's the difference between “replica” and “authentic.”

[Sierra Foothills]

50 minutes ago, MJS said:

From the pictures it looks like the box 2 is always the first number and the diagonal 2 is the second.

 

I also noticed this.

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

Two…..shay……

[Son of a K-Gun]

Guess I'm burning my Kelly jerseys now, thanks a lot.

[Mango]

Really interesting catch. But weird it’s driving you this crazy.

 

My guess is that it has been 30 years since those jerseys were worn and they’re using the current number style across all jerseys both current and old. 

[Shake_My_Head]

Dave Hojnowski (retired fired Bills equipment manager) would probably know.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hojnowski-68b89262/

 

https://buffalonews.com/news/former-equipment-manager-sues-bills-alleging-ageism/article_7a72e232-b7cb-5f69-bb1d-b195d44ca01b.html

Edited October 25, 2022 by Shake_My_Head

[cage]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

From the pictures it looks like the box 2 is always the first number and the diagonal 2 is the second.

 

Nice,... adding to the mystery!!

[cwater10]

I just wrote a check and went into crisis while writing the date.  

[BLeonard]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

From the pictures it looks like the box 2 is always the first number and the diagonal 2 is the second.

Same game.  Ricky Porter, #26.  diagonal 2.

[strive_for_five_guy]

19 minutes ago, BLeonard said:

Same game.  Ricky Porter, #26.  diagonal 2.