Michigan State Football: Why Spartans new look is hardly worth uproar

Michigan State football’s new look has cyberspace in an uproar. But while tradition is an integral part of the sport, there is no harm in switching things up.

Tradition is an interesting thing. It is what ties together generations of a fan base, makes memories last in the collective consciousness, and adds the flavor to college football that keeps us coming back year after year.

We revel in the tradition, celebrate its existence, and get up in arms when that tradition is confronted by attempts at modernizing aspects of the game. Nowhere is that more true than when a team opts to switch up their uniforms.

On Saturday, Michigan State revealed to the world their new alternate uniforms for the 2019 season.

Certainly eye-catching, they have caused Twitter and other corners of cyberspace to erupt in furor about veering from the school’s classic colors. The addition of neon lime green to the Spartans logo, the text, and the pants is undoubtedly confronting for those accustomed to more conservative green and white that is the staple of the program.

And, it must be noted, the “STATE” emblazoned across the chest veritably screams at observers. But if the student-athletes enjoy playing in them, and the uniform supplier (in this case Nike) is willing to put the product before the public, fans will become adjusted rather quickly.

Michigan State isn’t about to give up the green and white completely. The Spartans still have their traditional home and road looks to lean on for the 2019 season and beyond. An alternate uniform is precisely that — something to pull out on rare occasions, and a marketing gimmick to stir up passions among a fan base that might or might not be receptive to the changes.

If you are a Michigan State fan, it is hardly worth getting in an uproar about this new look. As an Oregon alumnus, trust me when I say that this too shall pass.

And hey… if nothing else, at least your beloved Spartans will blind their opponents next season whenever they play in these togs.