“The best throwback in the NFL is the ‘Steelers’ bumblebee jersey,” said Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey.
When you think of fierce NFL rivalries, few matchups hold a candle to the long-standing feud between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. These two AFC North powerhouses have clashed in countless hard-hitting, emotionally charged games over the years, building one of the most intense rivalries in professional football. The players, the fans, and the cities all live for these matchups. So when a star player from one of those teams makes a surprising compliment about the other—especially regarding something as polarizing as the Steelers’ infamous “bumblebee” throwback jerseys—people take notice.
That’s exactly what happened when Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey recently declared the Steelers’ bumblebee uniforms to be the best throwback in the NFL. On the surface, it may sound like a lighthearted statement, but given the context of the teams involved and the history of that uniform, it’s a moment that captured attention across the league and fan bases alike.
A Surprising Admiration Across Enemy Lines
Marlon Humphrey’s exact words—“The best throwback in the NFL is the Steelers’ bumblebee jersey”—caught many by surprise. Ravens fans were shocked. Steelers fans were smugly delighted. And NFL fans in general couldn’t help but smile at the irony. Why would a standout defender from one of the Steelers’ most bitter rivals go out of his way to give such an endorsement?
The answer lies in Humphrey’s personality. He’s long been known as one of the NFL’s more candid and entertaining players, frequently taking to social media to share his thoughts on everything from matchups and music to fast food and fashion. He doesn’t shy away from sharing opinions, even if they go against conventional wisdom or might raise a few eyebrows among his own fanbase.
When it comes to football aesthetics, Humphrey clearly has a soft spot for uniforms that stand out. And the Steelers’ bumblebee jersey, like it or not, definitely stands out.
The History of the “Bumblebee” Jersey
The now-retired Steelers’ bumblebee uniforms were first introduced in 2012 as part of the franchise’s 80th-anniversary celebration. The jersey was a replica of the team’s original 1934 design—gold and black horizontal stripes paired with tan pants and blocky numbers on a white background. The look was striking, bold, and for many, downright bizarre.
It didn’t take long for fans to label the kit the “bumblebee” uniform, due to its unmistakable resemblance to—you guessed it—a bumblebee. It instantly became one of the most talked-about alternate uniforms in the league, generating a mix of amusement, confusion, and ridicule. Some fans absolutely hated them, calling them the ugliest uniforms in NFL history. Others, however, came to embrace the quirky aesthetic, appreciating the nod to the team’s long and storied history.
Between 2012 and 2016, the Steelers wore the bumblebee jerseys in a handful of regular-season games, always sparking debate. In 2016, the team officially retired the uniforms, replacing them with more traditional throwbacks paying homage to the team’s dominant 1970s squads. But the bumblebee look had already earned a lasting place in NFL lore.
Why the Jerseys Were So Controversial
The bumblebee uniforms were divisive for a few key reasons:
- Unorthodox Design: The thick, horizontal stripes—combined with the tan pants and unique number plate—were drastically different from the modern, sleek looks of most NFL uniforms. The design looked more like an old-time prison uniform to some, and a Halloween costume to others.
- Color Contrast: The black and yellow stripes were bold and jarring, unlike the more subtle or classic combinations teams typically favor in throwbacks.
- Fit and Form: Football uniforms today are designed to be as form-fitting and functional as possible. The bumblebee jerseys, with their vintage design, lacked that tailored look and sometimes made even the most athletic players look a bit… awkward.
Despite the criticism, the jerseys drew major attention and engagement every time they were worn. For the Steelers, it was a branding move that worked. Even those who hated the uniforms couldn’t stop talking about them—and that alone made them iconic.
Marlon Humphrey’s Take: Honesty and Style Over Rivalry
Marlon Humphrey’s admiration of the bumblebee jersey is fascinating, especially considering how passionate the Ravens-Steelers rivalry is. These are two teams that truly dislike each other on the field. Their matchups are brutal, hard-hitting, and almost always decided by a razor-thin margin. It’s a rivalry built on respect, but not exactly one where you’d expect players to praise their opponents’ fashion choices.
But that’s what makes Humphrey’s comment even more genuine. He didn’t care about the rivalry in that moment—he was being authentic. In a league where players often speak in clichés and toe the line when it comes to rival teams, Humphrey’s willingness to give credit where it’s due is refreshing.
“I know it’s crazy, and people might hate me for it, but those jerseys are fire,” Humphrey said in a follow-up interview. “They’re old-school, different, and you just can’t forget them. That’s what a throwback should be about.”
It’s that kind of candid appreciation that has made Humphrey a fan favorite not just in Baltimore, but across the league.
Fan Reaction: Mixed but Entertained
Ravens fans were understandably stunned by Humphrey’s comment. Many took to social media to jokingly revoke his “Ravens card,” while others chalked it up to his quirky sense of humor. “Of all the throwbacks he could’ve picked, he chose those?” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “You gotta be trolling, Marlon.”
Steelers fans, meanwhile, loved it. They jumped at the chance to highlight the quote, posting clips of players wearing the bumblebee uniforms with captions like “Even the enemy respects the drip.”
But beyond the banter, there was a general sense of appreciation for the fact that a player in today’s NFL was willing to voice a fun, honest opinion—even if it went against the grain.
The Throwback Jersey Landscape in the NFL
Throwback jerseys are a cherished part of NFL culture. They provide teams with an opportunity to celebrate their heritage, honor iconic eras, and delight fans with unique designs that contrast with the modern uniforms they’re used to seeing every week.
Some of the most beloved throwback jerseys in the NFL include:
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ creamsicle uniforms
- The Houston Oilers powder blues (now worn by the Tennessee Titans)
- The Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day throwbacks
- The New England Patriots’ red “Pat Patriot” uniforms
- The San Francisco 49ers’ 1994 white-on-white throwbacks
Each of these jerseys evokes nostalgia and fanfare. The Steelers’ bumblebee uniforms, while more controversial, achieved that same level of recognition—perhaps for different reasons, but recognition nonetheless.
In that context, Humphrey’s claim that they are “the best” makes more sense. From a visibility standpoint, few throwback uniforms made as much noise or sparked as much debate.
A Touch of Respect Between Rivals
While the Ravens and Steelers will always be rivals on the field, moments like this show the mutual respect that exists between the players. Rivalry doesn’t have to mean hatred. Sometimes, it’s built on admiration for each other’s toughness, tradition, and even—believe it or not—uniforms.
For Marlon Humphrey to step up and publicly praise a part of Steelers history shows a bit of that mutual recognition. As heated as the battles are between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, both teams have helped define AFC North football over the past two decades. And both organizations pride themselves on their history, physicality, and resilience.
Will We Ever See the Bumblebee Jerseys Again?
While the Steelers officially retired the bumblebee uniforms in 2016, Marlon Humphrey’s comments have reignited a conversation about their legacy. Could they make a one-time return? In an era where retro and alternate jerseys are more popular than ever, it’s not out of the question.
With the NFL allowing teams more flexibility on alternate and throwback uniforms in recent years, fans—and now even rival players—might one day get to see the iconic stripes back on the field.
Whether loved or hated, the bumblebee jersey made an impact. And in the end, that’s what makes a throwback uniform great.
