The Memphis Grizzlies unveiled new alternate uniforms on Wednesday, a new “Pride” kit that, in keeping with recent league guidelines, features short-sleeved jerseys. While the silhouette might seem similar to many of the variant looks we’ve seen introduced in recent years, though, it’s the details — and where they come from, and what they evoke — that make this one uniquely compelling:
Developed in partnership with Adidas and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, the Grizzlies’ new “MLK50” Pride uniforms pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in recognition of the museum’s upcoming remembrance of the 50th anniversary of his assassination on April 4, 1968. Several key elements of the uniform aim to honor “the history behind the ongoing movement forward for social justice that defined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in life and death,” according to the Grizzlies, including:
• The black base color of the uniform, a break from the Grizzlies’ standard home white, road blues and lighter alternates, “chosen as a sign of respect for the moment, the movement and a reminder of the dignity of Civil Rights marchers who led us forward wearing dark suits.”
• The “MEMPHIS” wordmark across the chest, which evokes “the historic Lorraine Motel sign on the south side of the building,” which is now the home of the National Civil Rights Museum.
• The piping on the sides and shorts of the uniform, which “replicates the railing surrounding the exterior walkways and balconies of the historic hotel and museum.”
• The sea foam color of the lettering, numbers and accents, “pulled directly from the doors at rooms 306 and 307, where Dr. King spent his last moments on April 4, 1968.”
• The wreath icon near the neckline of the front of the jersey, “designed to represent the wreath that hangs where Dr. King was slain, and placed in the center of the uniform to remind us of his sacrifice and work for social justice and equality.”
The decision to develop an alternate uniform specifically inspired by and in recognition of as awful and painful a moment as the assassination of Dr. King has struck some as awkward and uncomfortable. As the Grizzlies and the Museum see it, though, the project has the potential to serve multiple purposes: to mourn the loss of one of America’s great leaders, to celebrate the contributions he and his colleagues made to our society, and to inspire a new generation of fans and observers to continue following King’s lead in a nation still very much grappling with issues of social, economic and racial inequality.
“The MLK50 Pride uniform to be worn for the first time on January 15th during our annual weekend Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is a means of both furthering our partnership with the National Civil Rights Museum and creating awareness of the Museum’s vital message of social and economic justice in our city, our nation and the world,” said Jason Wexler, the Grizzlies’ president of business operations, in a team statement.
“When the idea first came about of creating a jersey, I was so excited about it because I could see the potential for something like this,” added National Civil Rights Museum President Terri Lee Freeman. “As we created it, we wanted it to have a level of integrity, so we included the wreath and included the railing and the sign. I think it has come out as a wonderful product, and think it will be great for the Grizzlies and the National Civil Rights Museum, but also messaging that we need to always remember what happened and not forget about the work that has yet to be done. That’s exactly what the Museum does.”
Since moving to Memphis from Vancouver, the Grizzlies have taken particular pride in their role as something of a host and centerpiece of the NBA’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day slate of games. This season, however, the Grizzlies will not play on Jan. 16, 2017, a scheduling choice that irked many in the city; instead, Memphis will host the Chicago Bulls the day before, on Sunday, Jan. 15, in a prime-time game that ESPN will televise nationally and that will serve as part of a “celebration weekend.”
For his part, though, new Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale views the lack of a game on the actual Martin Luther King Jr. Day national holiday not as a slight, but as an opportunity. From Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
“We’re going out into the community the next day,” he said. “We’re going to do what Dr. King set out for everyone to do, and that’s to get out there and serve the community. Instead of a basketball game, we’re going to get our hands dirty. Our team is going to get out there and we’re going to do everything we can to show people how important it is.”
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