Denver Broncos introduce new uniforms for first time since 1997

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos unveiled new uniforms Monday with their first major changes since 1997. The “ Mile High Collection ” maintains the current helmet logo and features a total of 10 uniform combinations, four jerseys and three helmets.

The collection integrates elements of Colorado's landscapes, features a new dark blue helmet — a color the team calls “metallic satin” — and introduces a throwback orange uniform that includes the legacy blue “D” helmet, paying tribute to the Orange Crush era and the Broncos' first Super Bowl appearance in 1977.

Former linebacker Randy Gradishar will become the first member of the Orange Crush enshrined in Canton when he's inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July.

Gradishar was featured in a video alongside star cornerback Patrick Surtain II introducing the collection.

The rest of the collection uses the Broncos' current helmet logo and colors — sunset orange (home), summit white (away) and midnight navy (alternate) — along with metallic satin helmets in navy for both home and away games and white (alternate).

“As we honor the championship tradition of the Broncos, we’re also committed to innovation and growth during such a transformative time in franchise history,” team president Damani Leech said. “Our new uniforms — the Mile High Collection — boldly integrate elements of our past, present and future while paying tribute to Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region we proudly call home.”

After getting feedback from more than 10,000 fans, team co-owner Carre Walton Penner led a contingent that included Leech and chief marketing officer Hailey Sullivan to Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, to meet with designers.

Among the changes:

— The front helmet bumpers display an orange “5280” to mark Denver’s mile-high elevation.

— The font featured on the back nameplates is a nod to national parks signage located around Colorado.

— The outer neck tag is now a triangle label inspired by the iconography of summit markers found throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The inner neck tag has “Broncos Country” emblazoned across the back along with “5280” embroidered vertically.

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New uniforms that the Denver Broncos NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season hang on display in the team store before a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos president Damani Leech stands amid the four new uniforms that the NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos president Damani Leech stands amid the four new uniforms that the NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos president Damani Leech stands next to two of the four new uniforms that the NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

An employee looks at two of the four new uniforms that the Denver Broncos NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos senior director of executive operations Zohere Tabrez, center, stands amid the four new uniforms that the football team will wear starting in the upcoming season during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Two of the four new uniforms that the Denver Broncos NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season are on display during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The number 5280 to mark the elevation of the city of Denver is displayed on the bumper of one of the helmets to go with the four new uniforms that the Denver Broncos NFL football team will wear starting in the upcoming season during a news conference at Empower Field at Mile High, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Denver. The update is the first major change to the team's uniforms since 1997. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Henry Davis will try to work out of his early season funk in the minors.

The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned the former first-overall pick to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday and activated catcher Yasmani Grandal off the injured list.

Davis is hitting just .162 with no home runs and four RBIs in 23 games for Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old, the top selection in the 2021 amateur draft, has struck out 29 times in 83 at-bats.

The Pirates drafted Davis as a catcher but he spent the vast majority of his rookie season in 2023 working in right field and as a designated hitter. He has worked almost exclusively at catcher this season in part because of injuries to Endy Rodriguez and Grandal, who signed a one-year deal in February.

Davis has been passable defensively but the power he showed flashes of last year has vanished. Only three of his 11 hits went for extra bases and his slugging percentage is a woeful .206.

“With Grandal coming off the injured list, it’s a chance for Henry to catch his breath a little bit,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "I think the thing that we know about Henry is that he’s probably one of the hardest workers I’ve been around at the major-league level. He’s going to go down there with a task and work on it.”

Grandal, 35, missed most of spring training with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The two-time All-Star hit .257 (9-for-35) with two doubles, a home run and 11 RBI in nine games while rehabbing in Indianapolis.

The Pirates have cooled off following a strong start. Pittsburgh entered Friday night's game against Colorado, losing 13 of 16. The offense has been the biggest problem. The Pirates have scored two runs or less 12 times during their slide.

"He will continue to help with our pitch sequencing and our planning because he’s been here with the exception of his time in Indy,” Shelton said of Grandal. “He gives us a left-handed hitter, with him being a switch hitter. I think there’s a lot of things that he brings.”

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Pittsburgh Pirates' Henry Davis walks to the dugout after striking out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)