Throwback Weekend
Steve King, Staff Writer 11.22.2006
On Sunday, past meets present, literally.
The uniform the Browns will wear against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend may surprise younger fans, and could cause some older ones to reminisce. This Sunday, the team will wear the uniform worn during the first three years of Jim Brown's Hall of Fame career - from 1957-59.
The helmet that Charlie Frye will wear this weekend looks the same as the one put on by Milt Plum. The same pants worn by defensive lineman Bob Gain will be put on by Orpheus Roye. The striped socks worn by Walt Michaels will be worn by Andra Davis.
The change you'll notice first is that player numbers appear on both sides of the Browns helmet. In addition, a single white stripe will run down the middle of the helmet, with the brown stripe on both sides removed.
The last time that numbers appeared on either the side of the helmet was from 1957-60, and the last time a single white stripe was used was from 1952 until 1960, when the two brown stripes were added.
There are some other subtle changes. These include the return of a thin brown stripe, surrounded by two orange stripes, on the side of the white pants. Also, instead of solid brown socks, the team will wear the brown, white and orange striped socks they wore in years past.
There are no "TV numbers" on the shoulders of the jerseys, since they were not used in that era nearly 50 years ago.
Due to NFL rules, last names appear on the back of the jerseys being used on Sunday. These were not used in late 1950s.
The "AL" patch the Browns normally wear, which honors late Browns owner, Al Lerner, won't be on the sleeve, nor will the 60th anniversary patch appear on the front of the jersey.
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