Originally sports jerseys were just seen as a part of a team's regular equipment. In fact, traditionally, football players had no option but to wear jerseys that were plain with long sleeves and much heavier than their modern National Football League equivalent. From a critical standpoint, it was invariably argued that the reason for the equipment's lack of popular appeal was that it was only part of the team equipment with no fancy embellishments. The equipment was regarded just as work clothes in the same way that a house painter wears coveralls.

The modern popularity of the National Football League and the advent of football teams' personalized jerseys have imbued team equipment with a new lease of life and chic credibility. Team uniforms have become a trendy and desirable fashion accessory culminating with the simple jersey once-and-for-all laying the ghost of its work-clothes image, and becoming a symbol of heroism, achievement, team spirit and triumph in the face of adversity.

NFL players' jerseys now have shorter sleeves, more interesting and fashionable colors and innovative patterns. A great deal of attention is now given to the design, appearance and appeal - not to mention marketing - of team equipment.

A note about football jerseys:

From 2010, visiting team's jerseys will need to meet a standard criteria. The yoke of the jersey (from the neckline to the seam at mid-chest including the shoulders) and the body (the area below the yoke) will be white and will contain only allowed adornments and accessory patterns:

Stripes: May be placed on the sleeves to a maximum of 1 inch in width.

Border: Maximum of 1 inch in width may be placed around the collar and cuffs.

Side seam: An insert from the underarm's to the top of the pants to a maximum of 4 inches in width.

Also beginning in 2010 the home team jersey will need to meet a standard criteria. The yoke and body of the jersey must not include white except as the number of the jersey, a decorative stripe, a border on the collar or cuff or a side seam.

National Football League fans wearing replica matching jerseys to support their team is not a new occurrence. However, with the positive changes made to team apparel in recent years, a huge number of fans now wear National Football League authentic jerseys both at and away from the footbal venues. Wearing the apparel of their favorite team or player has become an indispensible style statement of all generations. This huge change is the main reason for the increase in the clamor for sports gear generally and football apparel in particular.

Take into consideration the fact that the vast popularity of football as a major North American sport has increasingly enhanced the popularity of the jersey. There are a myriad of opportunities for football lovers to follow their chosen sport. NFL Football, College Football, NCAA Football and the unbelievably popular Monday Night Football.

Due to all this we now are seeing an ever increasing demand for team jerseys and team equipment. Everywhere, in music videos and on television we see an ever-increasing multitude of people in all age ranges who are totally passionate about collecting and wearing replica and authentic game-worn jerseys of their favorite football, baseball and basketball stars.