Welcome back, sports fans, to Throwback Thursday, a time to look upon our past with equal parts nostalgia, pride and a healthy dose of shame. For as casual style goes through awkward changes and redesigns so do football uniforms and logos.
This week we take a look at the 1980 North Carolina Tar Heels:
In 1980, North Carolina coach Dick Crum was coming off a season that saw the Heels upset three ranked opponents, mainly due to their stout defense. Much of that defense was set to return, including star Lawrence Taylor. The 80 Heels kept opponents out of the endzone in six games and only allowed 14 or more points twice. They finished the season 11-1, capped by a 16-7 win over Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl.
UNC was named ACC champion in 1980 as well, having finished its conference slate undefeated. Six members of that Heels squad were taken in the 1981 NFL Draft. Not only did UNC win consistently in 1980, but they looked good doing it. The traditional Carolina blue uniforms weren't too different than what we see the boys in Chapel Hill trot onto the field today, but the 1980 helmets with the retor U-N-C logo are classic.
The Heels have yet to bring back those helmets for a recent game, but, with UNC playing for what could be its first conference title since 1980, maybe they'll surprise us --and Clemson-- with some new threads in Charlotte.
