Last year, the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrated 100 years of their collegiate football program. To commemorate the milestone, Illinois unveiled a throwback uniform, featuring a helmet designed to look like the old leather helmets worn in the early 1900s.
Fans debated back and forth on whether or not they actually liked the uniform combination, but they were worn during a 14-point victory over the then-No. 24 Michigan Wolverines, so ultimately, nobody could truly complain.
Now, ahead of the 2025 season, the Green Bay Packers have unveiled throwback uniforms of their own, and they look nearly identical to the Fighting Illini's.
Look just like Illinois. Only difference is the Illini won 10 games and the Packers won’t win more than six. https://t.co/SFMncHA15x
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) July 24, 2025
With an NFL franchise supposedly taking notes as to how to design a good throwback jersey and helmet combination, Illinois fans are more than happy to claim the original idea as their own.
#famILLy appreciate you @AVStudios and all you did to create such a special memory for so many people #ILL https://t.co/dO4XZX7Xzq
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) July 25, 2025
Before the kickoff of the NFL or college football season, teams have continued to unveil their latest (and supposedly greatest) uniform designs for the year. Illinois has yet to announce if the team will repeat the use of its centennial combination.
Last season, the Illini went on to win 10 games, finishing with an impressive 10-3 overall record, including a four-point victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Meanwhile, the Packers earned an 11-6 overall record, including a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card matchup.
Illinois will kick off its 2025 campaign with a game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Friday, Aug. 29. The game will be streamed on Peacock and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT.