Today in Philly Sports History: Flyers Don the Orange and Black, 1966

Of the four major Philadelphia sports teams, I always thought that the Flyers stood head and shoulders above the pack in terms of team logo and colors. There's something to be said about the classic looks of the Phillies and Sixers (though certainly not at the turn of the millennium for the latter), and there's no screwing with the Gang Green's look either, but there was something about that Orange and Black look that separated the Flyers for me--it was bold and intimidating, but also kind of quriky and modern. In any event, it's a look that's endured, with little alteration, for almost half a century now.

And we have an April 4th, 1966 decision made by Bill Putnam, a member of the original Flyers brain trust, to thank for it. Putnam was enamored with what he called "Hot" colors, and the Orange and Black also happened to largely comprise the look of his Texas Longhorn alma matter. The Flyers' official team colors were announced the same day that the contest to name the team was first mentioned--eventually won by nine-year-old Alec Stockard, although he spelled it "Fliers" on the application. ("Flyers" looks much better, I'd agree).