Tear-away jerseys and orange face masks: Auburn football uniforms through the years
Nike said, ‘Just do it’ and Auburn athletics did.
In a matter of days, Auburn will officially be a Nike school starting July 1st.
Over the years, Auburn has given us some classic looks in its traditional colors. From days of Terry Beasley to the backfield tandem of Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. Auburn football has created many memories over the years.
Here’s a list of some of the best looks the Tigers have given us over the years:
The 1950’s and 1960’s: Before the “AU”
Former Auburn running back Bobby Hoppe (20) is shown during a 1957 game. (Birmingham News file photo)bn
Auburn’s Bobby Hoppe helped anchor the Tigers first ever National Championship. In the times before helmet decals were a thing, Auburn displayed a middle strip representing the school colors on its early helmet styles.

Auburn won the game against Alabama, 10 to 8. Alabama Media Group
Auburn kicker Woody Woodall (#18) making a field goal during the 1963 Iron Bowl game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.Alabama Media Group
Six years later in the Iron Bowl, Auburn added the side decal with the players numbers. Pretty unique that Alabama still does with its helmets in the 21st century.
1970’s: Pat, Terry, and the tear-aways

Terry Beasley (88) while at Auburn
(AL.com file photo)AL.com file photo
Arguably one of the greatest wide receivers in Auburn history, Terry Beasly was sporting the classic white see through jersey with the school colors striped on the side.

Former Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan, the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at age 69. (AL.com file photo)
The 1971 Heisman trophy winner, Pat Sullivan, pictured with Archie Manning following the 1971 Gator Bowl, showing the signs of what many quarterbacks, and skill-position players looked like after a game. A torn-up jersey barely hanging on, something today’s updated athletic technology will never see again.
1980’s: Bo and orange face masks

Auburn won the game with a score of 23 to 20. Alabama Media GroupAlabama Media Group
The 80’s began to show the modern Auburn uniform look fans are used to seeing. Auburn decals on the helmet with the classic school stripes on the side.

Auburn’s Bo Jackson in action, rushing vs Texas. Auburn, AL 9/17/1983 (Photo by John Iacono /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)Getty
Bo Jackson popularized the classic navy-blue look during his time with the Tigers. The Russell Athletic Brand jerseys raised an entire generation of Auburn fans we see still screaming in Jordan-Hare Stadium today.
Syracuse QB Don McPherson was co-MVP of the 1988 Sugar Bowl against Auburn.
In the only Sugar Bowl to end in a tie, Auburn went with the classic blue and white look. However, they did not go with a colored face mask like they did in the early part of the 80’s.
1990’s: Windbreakers and ties
Standing with him are David Milord (#38), Terry Daniel (#36), and Jason Taylor (#66). Auburn won the game, beating Alabama 22 to 14. Alabama Media Groupph
Auburn went for a classic look ahead of the 1993 Iron Bowl. However, Auburn coach Terry Bowden is killing it in the Auburn quarter zip with the university-colored tie. That look in 2025 would put social media in a frenzy.
2000’s: Cadillac in a classic look

Carnell Willaims
Auburn vs. Ole Miss in Oxford, MS, on Saturday, October 30, 2004.
Todd J. Van Emst
TODD J. VAN EMST
Cadillac Williams sporting the white-on-white combination is like opening a pandora’s box for some Auburn fans. With Russell Athletic brand at the peak of its era at Auburn, every running back wanted to look like Cadillac.
2010s: Cam makes a classic look iconic

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton runs with the football during an SEC game against Georgia on Nov. 13, 2010, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.(Photo by Simon Bruty /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Cam Newton brought new levels of aura to the Tigers uniform rocking the helmet visor and the half-cut arm sleeves. Now transitioning to the Under Armour era, Newton’s field drip matched the success Auburn had that season.

Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley (1) rolls out to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP
2020’s: Modern twists on classic looks
In 2022, Auburn turned back the clock with the orange face masks against Penn State. Popularized in the 80’s, this uniform paid homage to the Tigers who laid the foundation for where Auburn is today.

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 26: Jarquez Hunter #27 of the Auburn Tigers runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on October 26, 2024 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Getty Images
No wonder Jarquez Hunter rushed for a career-best 278 yards against Kentucky. Auburn took it back with the all-white Under Armour uniforms with the classic white face mask. Shades of Cadillac Williams when looking back on this look.

Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (5) carries the ball against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP
Through the years, Auburn has kept its tradition alive repping its original colors from the golden ages of the football program. Now officially in the Nike era, the Tigers look to inspire a new generation of fans with its historic colors and stripes.
Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].