There are weird football kits — and then there’s the Caribous of Colorado retro jersey.
In 1978, this short-lived NASL team made history not with goals, but with a shirt that still sparks conversation decades later: a cowboy football kit complete with leather fringe across the chest.
It’s a story that feels like a fever dream of American soccer in the 1970s — where showbiz met sport, and style mattered as much as skill. Today, the Caribous of Colorado fringe kit has become one of the most famous NASL rare shirts, a symbol of both eccentric creativity and football nostalgia.
The Caribous of Colorado were founded in 1978 as part of the North American Soccer League (NASL) expansion wave. Based in Denver, they represented an ambitious attempt to blend local identity — the cowboy culture of the American West — with global football flair.
They played only one season in the NASL 1978 season, finishing last in their division before relocating to Atlanta (where they became the Chiefs). Yet their impact outlasted their existence, all because of one unforgettable design decision.
So what did the Caribous of Colorado retro jersey actually look like?
Imagine this: a deep brown shirt with beige shoulders, golden accents, and — most famously — a line of suede fringe running across the chest and sleeves. Yes, real fringe, like something straight out of a Western movie.
The idea was to celebrate Denver’s cowboy roots. The owners, who wanted to appeal to the American public, thought the best way to connect soccer with the West was to make their players look like modern cowboys.
“It was part football, part rodeo — and completely unforgettable.”
The fringe kit wasn’t just decorative; it was the club’s marketing identity. The design was meant to stand out in a league where teams were competing not only for trophies, but for attention.
This was the 1970s America — an era of disco, bold colors, and marketing experiments. The NASL, with legends like Pelé, Beckenbauer, and Best, embraced entertainment as much as sport. The Caribous simply took it one step further — and crossed into fashion folklore.
The Caribous’ design drew directly from cowboy culture and football’s growing Americanization. Denver, known for rodeos, ranch life, and open plains, became the visual DNA of the club.
Their fringe jersey echoed the same cultural icons that made the city famous — ruggedness, freedom, and frontier style.
But not everyone loved it.
Some fans found the jerseys ridiculous; others loved their boldness. Opposing players reportedly joked about getting “tickled” by the fringe during tackles. The team’s poor performance didn’t help either — one win, and a season to forget.
Yet ironically, the very thing that made them a laughingstock in 1978 turned them into cult heroes decades later.
Today, the Caribous of Colorado retro jersey is seen as a retro soccer collectible, embodying the experimental spirit of early U.S. soccer.
The original Caribous of Colorado fringe jerseys were produced in extremely small quantities. Because the team folded after just one season, only a few authentic examples survive — making them one of the rarest soccer jerseys in the USA.
According to vintage soccer memorabilia experts, fewer than 25 verified originals have surfaced in private collections. A handful are preserved in NASL archives and sports museums.
In collector circles, these shirts can fetch anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on condition and provenance. They are often described as the “holy grail” of retro NASL jerseys, not only for their rarity but for their cultural audacity.
The Caribous of Colorado fringe kit is part of the larger mythos of the North American Soccer League jerseys — a league that blurred the line between sport and spectacle.
NASL gave us other eccentric designs too: the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ psychedelic kits, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ bold diagonal stripes, and the New York Cosmos’ iconic simplicity. But none carried the personality of the Caribous.
Their story is a snapshot of what made NASL special — a time when football was finding itself in America, fueled by imagination rather than conformity.
Today, the Caribous of Colorado retro jersey frequently tops “weirdest football kits in history” lists.
Publications like FourFourTwo, The Guardian, and ESPN Classic have all featured it as a case study in design excess — but also as a beloved artifact of football’s global story.
Yes — a few small independent brands and collectors’ shops have released modern remakes of the Caribous fringe kit, keeping the design faithful but using modern breathable fabrics.
They remain highly sought-after in the retro soccer collectibles community, often selling out within days.
If you love football heritage, eccentric designs, or the bold spirit of the 1970s, this is the shirt that belongs in your collection.
It’s more than apparel — it’s a conversation piece, a slice of football Americana, and a tribute to creativity without limits.
👉 Explore it now in the NASL Retro Collection
👉 Or request your own Caribous of Colorado replica jersey
Own a part of NASL’s wildest moment. Ride into football history.
The Caribous of Colorado fringe kit proves that football history isn’t written only by champions — it’s written by those who dare to be different.
Once mocked, now legendary, the Caribous of Colorado retro jersey stands as a reminder that the North American Soccer League was about more than sport; it was about imagination.
A true cowboy football kit, stitched with the soul of the American West, and forever remembered as one of the most iconic NASL rare shirts of all time.
Discover our collection of limited-edition retro football shirts, inspired by legendary kits and unforgettable eras.
