The Short Game: A History of Football Sleeve Lengths

Over the last few years, football pant bottoms have crept upward. Most folks think the short pants trend is new, but my story, The Long History of Football's Short Pants, shows short pants have been around since at least the 1920s, and perhaps earlier in the Canadian game. Since that story is the most-read article on Football Archaeology, there appears to be an appetite for understanding the history of football's hems, and having covered players' pants, we now get to the bottom of their jersey sleeves.

Before discussing jersey sleeves, I ask you to picture an early football player wearing a short-sleeved jersey in your mind. If you have trouble imagining that fellow in your mind's eye, it is likely because short-sleeved football players were the rarest of birds until the mid-1950s. There appears to be no logical reason why football players did not shorten their sleeves until then, we only know they didn't.

Football began in the Northeast in the months of October and November. It can get chilly in those parts in the fall, so it made sense that players wore long sleeves. The earliest players wore light gymnasium gear, which tore easily and was quickly replaced by football-specific gear, particularly canvas jackets. Originally long-sleeved, many players converted them to less restrictive vests with long-sleeved jerseys or sweaters underneath.

(Foot-Ball Rules and Referee's Book. American Intercollegiate Association. Boston- Wright & Ditson. 1888)

Class of 1894 football team (1893 Oberlin yearbook)