Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Red Alert! Bills Legend (Accidentally?) Teases Throwback Helmets

Originally posted on FanNation Bills Central
By Jonathan Alfano | Last updated 7/22/23

Throwback uniforms are all the craze in the NFL these days, and Bills Mafia has been wondering - hoping? - if and when their team would join the trend.

Speculation regarding the return of the Buffalo Bills' classic red helmets dates back to last year, when star quarterback Josh Allen took the field at training camp wearing one complete with red visor. Those rumors didn't amount to anything last season, but they recently returned in full force when defensive end Greg Rousseau posted another picture of the red helmets on social media.

But now, it's an all-out frenzy as Hall-of-Fame Bills receiver Andre Reed strongly implied the return of the red helmets in a tweet on Friday.

"Sundays will be even more sweet with Bills wearing our throwbacks," Reed wrote.

Sundays will be even more sweet with Bills wearing our throwbacks … #BillsMafia https://t.co/I0kO8dq4Qd
— Andre Reed (@Andre_Reed83) July 21, 2023

However, those wishing for a return of the red helmets had their hopes dashed just a few hours later. Late Friday night, Reed clarified his earlier remarks and said he was just advocating for the throwback helmets, not that he knew they were coming.

Heads up this was just my opinion!
I just think the throwback jerseys would be sweet … #billsmafia https://t.co/NXB6rGNtz2
— Andre Reed (@Andre_Reed83) July 22, 2023

The Bills first introduced their red helmets in 1984, when they replaced the white lids the team had worn since the early 60s. Those distinctive helmets lasted 27 years, even as the team shifted to its contentious navy blue look in 2002. In 2011, the Bills brought back their classic white helmets, and the red ones haven't been seen on the field since.

With the NFL eliminating its "one-shell" rule in 2021, teams are now free to bring back classic looks in their full glory. In the past two weeks alone, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks have brought back their original jerseys with an alternate helmet, and they're far from the only teams to do so.

The Bills are more than free to join the craze as well, but for now, it remains up in the air.

This article first appeared on FanNation Bills Central and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: