'Chain Maille Mesh?' Nike pulls wraps off new Ducks uniforms

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Forget who's going to play starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks on Sept.1, the really important question of what that quarterback will be wearing has finally been answered.

Nike issued a press release Wednesday with a photo of the new uniforms, or at least one iteration of the dozens of combinations available to the players.

The image provided by Nike shows a player wearing No. 6 (speedster De'Anthony Thomas' number) in a classic "Heisman" pose in front of a stadium backdrop obscured by smoke where the text "Oregon is Faster" appears.

The uniform in the photo features a yellow jersey with black feathers on the shoulders and gray pants. The player's helmet is gray with a carbon-fiber texture. Photos on the Nike website show other colors including black, white, yellow and green.

Nike said it's the same uniform the Ducks wore in their Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin on Jan. 1 and the new uniform and "lightweight padding provide athletes with a complete on-field suit of armor."

In the press release, Nike said the uniforms feature "Nike Chain Maille Mesh, a lightweight ultra-breathable material." Nike said the material gives players "enhanced thermoregulation" and "the ultimate in breathable uniform design."

“Our goal is to help build better athletes by providing them with state-of-the-art-innovation combined with a deep knowledge and understanding of Oregon’s heritage and the uniform chassis that the Ducks will wear is the next evolution in football innovation” said Todd Van Horne, Nike’s Creative Director for Football, in the press release sent out Wednesday.

“With the integration of Chain Maille Mesh into the jersey as well as the functional winged pattern on the shoulders, this is truly the lightest, fastest football uniform we’ve ever made,” Van Horne said.

Images courtesy of Nike