Green Bay Packers Throwback Uniforms Bite Illinois Football's Style

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The NFL's Green Bay Packers revealed their latest uniform design on social media Thursday, and just as a heads-up to brace Illinois football fans, the new threads are likely going to look very familiar.
For last year's 100-year anniversary of Memorial Stadium and honoring of former Illini All-American Red Grange, Illinois unveiled brilliantly designed throwback uniforms that were a hit with fans and received national attention for their classic stylishness. (And not for nothing, but the Illini also took down Michigan to put the finishing touch on the special events.)
So ... you tell us: Did the Packers maybe take (a lot of) inspiration for their new unis from Illinois' throwback look?
Engineered for legends in the making pic.twitter.com/eIOqNSGWTi
— Green Bay Packers Football Club (@packers) July 24, 2025
A work of art@amfam pic.twitter.com/WS7oHFV4G3
— Green Bay Packers Football Club (@packers) July 24, 2025
#UniAuthority Week 8 Uniform of the Week:
— Uniform Authority (@UniAuthority) October 21, 2024
1. @IlliniFootball #UAWeek8 | @ILLequipment pic.twitter.com/II1drZm23d
If imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, the Illini should be blushing. And what do you know? Illinois coach Bret Bielema confirmed what was already suspected via his social media account on Thursday:
They interviewed @JakeRosch (best EQ guy in the country) last year and took a few ideas from the #famILLy
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) July 24, 2025
Always good to be a trend setter in the #NFL ✅🤷♂️✅ https://t.co/mY9mpbFezn
Kudos to Bielema for shouting Illini football equipment operations director Jake Rosch. Those guys are almost never recognized for their contributions, and hopefully the Packers compensated him for his consultation services – or at least offered up free tickets to a game or two at Lambeau Field.
More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:
Colin Cowherd: Illinois Football Would 'House' Bill Belichick and North Carolina
Two Illinois Players Named to Big Ten Preseason Football Honors List
The Big Question: How Much Will Illinois Football Miss Josh McCray?

Jared Shlensky is a contributing writer for On SI and a freelance play-by-play broadcaster. Jared was previously a sports betting writer for Yardbarker, an On-Air YouTube Personality for the Sports Geek and a minor league play-by-play broadcaster.