Notre Dame adidas Shamrock Series Alts Unveiled

Field turf, Jumbotrons and alternate uniforms that would make Oregon take notice. Brian Kelly’s version of Notre Dame football has certainly bucked tradition. It seemingly could not have been any more outlandish than the kaleidoscope helmets the Fighting Irish wore late last November against Maryland, but consider the ante upped for UND’s foray into Soldier Stadium for a match-up with Miami.

The Irish will don a two-tone helmet that half maintains the nickname Golden Domers, albeit the aforementioned glimmering version from the Maryland game. The helmet’s dark side features the leprechaun logo. Implementation of the Leprechaun on a uniform is a first for the football program.

Traditionalists may need smelling salts, and there’s no shortage of those in the UND fan base. Irking the traditionalists implicitly puts added pressure on Kelly to produce wins. Such departures from the history of Notre Dame can be easily overlooked when the Irish are reaching BCS bowls and finishing in the top 10. Changing the look and feel of the program, without matching the immense success that sealed its history is less so.