Bears Players 'Proud' to Wear Controversial 1936 Segregation Era Uniforms

This coming Sunday, the Chicago Bears are scheduled to wear their throwback striped uniforms in order to commemorate the team's 100th season.

The jerseys, which were leaked online last June, are from 1936, which has sparked controversy because for much of the 1930s and 1940s, African American players were barred from the NFL.

Well, rather than permanently retire the controversial uniforms, the Bears will be rocking them against the Vikings, and it seems that the players on board and hope to change the narrative behind the kits.

Rather than consider these jerseys to be racist, Bears players are instead showing pride in donning the uniforms and want people to gain a deeper understanding for the history of the league.

"I'm just proud to be one of the first African-Americans to put the jersey on," said star running back Tarik Cohen.

Chairman George McCaskey explained to the team that while the policy back then was racist, individuals like his grandfather George S. Halas were not. Halas was the founder and owner of the team, and supposedly had nothing to do with the league policy at the time.

Head Coach Matt Nagy is aware of the controversy surrounding the jerseys, but feels that the team's handling of the situation should comfort any naysayers.

“I think the reason why we’re wearing them and then how we’re handling everything right now, absolutely,” Nagy said regarding if the jerseys were appropriate or not. “I think it’s a very positive story on a lot of different fronts, and so that’s where that’s at.”

Like it or not, the Bears will be rocking the striped uniforms on Sunday, and credit to the organization for handling the situation with understanding and class.