While the basic colors (orange home jerseys; white away) were retained, the single color, triple-stripe on the sleeve was replaced by a sleeve insert which was bordered by stripes above and below. Sleeve numbers were affixed atop this field. Additionally, this 3rd generation jersey was the first to include royal blue as a trim color. Aside from the general change in style, several specific distinctions can be noted between the 2nd and 3rd generation jerseys.
Foremost was the switch in manufacturers from Wilson to Rawlings resulting in a number of basic design changes. The 3rd generation jerseys of 1965-’66 utilized a crew-neck design rather that Wilson’s V-neck construction. Secondly, it would also appear that the color of the orange Durene material used in 1965-’66 appears to be considerably darker than Wilson’s “Tennessee” orange.
Sans serif uniform numbers and nameplate lettering were sewn-on tackle twill with letters and sleeve numbers being solid in color. The numbers on the front and rear featured a feathered edge of contrasting color.
The pant style remained mostly unchanged from the previous design aside from an apparent widening of the orange center stripe. Stockings were solid royal blue in color and this style remained in use through about 1973. The helmet remained unchanged for 1965 however the helmet underwent a change between 1965 and 1966 with the single white center stripe being replaced with a 2-color, 3-stripe pattern and consisted of a blue center stripe bordered by two thinner white stripes. Additionally, changes were made to the horse logo. A blue border was added to the horse and the round eye was replaced with a star shaped eye.
In 1994, Wilson replicated the 1965-style uniform as a “Throwback” style used to commemorate the NFL’s 75th Anniversary. However, there was one detail on these 1994 throwback jerseys that missed the mark: the collar colors. The original jerseys from 1965/1966 had blue collars on the road jerseys and white colors on the home jerseys. The 1994 throwbacks had orange collars on both the home and road jerseys.