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View Full Version : How to spot a real NFL jersey



steelerdude15
09-12-2010, 06:19 PM
Hello everyone, are some of you like me, who likes to wear and buy real NFL products? Do you think that fake products look bad and don't like the feel of them? Well, I'm here today to teach you on how to tell a fake from a real authentic jersey. (I sound like a salesmen :lol:) This thread is going to have videos, pictures, etc. I hope you enjoy this and can use this when your looking to buy your real authentic jersey. O and one more thing, if your going to comment and bash this about buying real jerseys and things like that, don't comment. Thank you. Credit will be given to the original writers at the end of the page. This is a short-guide.

If you plan to purchase your authentic from the NFLshop.com, any team's official website or stores, or in our case, the Steelers official website and stores, you will buy a true authentic. Google and auction sites is where you need to be careful. Alright first off, there are many ways to tell the difference between a real and fake jersey. Unfortunately, fake jerseys are getting better and better at looking real every year. To start things off, let's look at what country the jerseys are made in. Many of today's jerseys are made in Vietnam, while some are also made in other countries. From what I know, Steelers jerseys are made in Vietnam. My new Heath Miller authentic is from Vietnam. Jerseys from China are fakes. Speaking of that, let's look at the tags on the back. The front blue Reebok tag will be shorter than the back white tag that has all the information on where its from, how to wash it, etc.
http://www.thumper300zx.com/jersey/auth_gates/100_9447s.jpg http://www.thumper300zx.com/jersey/auth_gates/100_9446s.jpg
Now these pictures are a little older and are on Charger jerseys. The real tags are the ones that are longer than the fakes.

Next, lets look at the stitching of the numbers, nameplates, etc. For Steelers jerseys, the numbers are going to be slanted a little to the right for all players. The numbers are also not block-like. For all jerseys, the numbers on the front are smaller than they are the back.
http://nfl.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p6936320dt.jpghttp://nfl.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p6936331dt.jpg
Now, since we have the Miller and Harrison jerseys up, let's look at them more closely and for all Steelers jerseys. The Steelers logo or also known as the Appliqué, will be stitched on the upper left side of the jersey. If you run your finger on the logo, you should feel a little definition between the white background, the lettering for Steelers, and the three astroids (By the way, the astroids have meanings, but I'm too lazy to post them). There should be a silver lining around the white background and a very thin black line around the silver lining. You should also feel the definition between the white and silver with your finger. The replica and premier jerseys are screen printed on. With fakes, there could be too much definition, the colors could very bright, our the circle could be too big/small. Next, the NFL shield on the collar. Here's a picture showing a real and fake:
http://www.thumper300zx.com/jersey/real_shields.jpg http://www.thumper300zx.com/jersey/fake_shields.jpg
The real is on the left while the fake is on the right. The newer jerseys have four stars on each side of the football. Another thing are the sleeves on our jerseys. Two things to look out for are that real jersey sleeves are cuffed on the end and the yellow/white stripes are actual material and aren't printed on our anything like that. Premiers and replicas are printed on. Fakes could also be printed on as well. So, about the name plates. On the home jerseys, as you see in the pictures above, the lettering is a darker yellow than the sleeves and don't have any trim around them. The away jerseys, have a black lining around the lettering for the last name. Things to watch out for is nameplates that are bigger than normal or the yellow could be very dark or very bright. Another thing to look out for is that the name plate could be a little crooked. The Reebok emblem on the side for Steelers jerseys on the home jerseys are also stitched and appear to be a gray or silver color. One more thing, all patches like captain patches, SB patches, etc are not available to the public on real authentics! You can get these on replicas like the SB patches.

Now, to end this cause I'm tired of typing all of this are the jock tag, swing tags, and material. For real authentic jerseys, they are made out of one hundred percent polyester. They have small breathable holes on the front and back. The sides, shoulders, and sleeves have no holes and are a little stretchable. This is for the padding for the players. The Reebok swing tags have changed over the years and just recently changed again to a more rectangular gray tag. Older ones are usually square in dark blue. Two big things to watch out for are the hologram stickers and white NFLPA swing tags. The NFLPA tag should not come with the jersey, they were never made and were never used. A true authentic will not have one. The stickers have also changed patterns and shape over the years. I believe there a square now and our on the back, not the front the blue or gray Reebok swing tag.

Jocktags are huge indicators of fake or real jerseys. They are the blue tags on the bottom left of the jerseys. Things to look for are spaces between the NFL and Players part, the NFLPA emblem, and the NFL shield. Here is a picture of the NFLPA emblem:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/nflbillsfan/Realfakenflpalogo-1.jpg
Billsfan has already done the comparing (this is from him).

Even though this isn't the best page on jerseys, here are a couple of videos from NJUFP that will help clarify. The first one is the older one and the second one is the updated version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgxTbQZkqE&p=B795D3F4FAFF27DE&playnext=1&index=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVmVtpJRdwM&feature=related

Here are the credits and links:
To Billsfan from NFL Jersey Fan Paradise, thank you for all the information you have provided for everybody in the world about jerseys. If you ever come across this thread, please join us here.
The link to their forum:
http://nfljerseyfanparadise.forumotion.com/forum.htm
The videos are also provided by NJFP.
To whom ever wrote the article on Ebay about fakes and reals. Thank you for your advice and in-depth knowledge on the jerseys. Pictures also come from this individual. Here is the link to that page:
http://www.thumper300zx.com/jersey/fake_vs_real.htm
One more and of course the NFLshop for the pictures of the Miller and Harrison jerseys.
© 2010, NFL Enterprises LLC. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League. The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.


If you have anymore information, just type a reply!

HometownGal
09-12-2010, 08:35 PM
Very well done! :applaudit:

Thank you for posting this - I'm sure going to be on the lookout from now on when I buy my sports jerseys. :drink:

BPS3akaWirels3
09-12-2010, 08:41 PM
I really do not care as long as it looks good to me.. I have bought one jersey off Steelers.com and I am not impressed. Made in Honduras..

But thanks for the hardwork buddy..

kmsteelerwr15
09-12-2010, 08:42 PM
I used to buy all the replica jerseys and have recently gone to the ones from China. They aren't perfect but I like them better then buying an over priced one from the NFL

steeldevil
09-12-2010, 08:45 PM
I used to buy all the replica jerseys and have recently gone to the ones from China. They aren't perfect but I like them better then buying an over priced one from the NFL

Amen. I got a Lambert one from China for $32. The only thing wrong with it is the color in the name on the back is a little different from the color on the sleeves. Its fake but I would much rather have it for $32 than something a little better for $250... I would never pay that much for a jersey unless it was game worn and signed....

kmsteelerwr15
09-12-2010, 08:46 PM
Amen. I got a Lambert one from China for $32. The only thing wrong with it is the color in the name on the back is a little different from the color on the sleeves. Its fake but I would much rather have it for $32 than something a little better for $250... I would never pay that much for a jersey unless it was game worn and signed....

Plus the replica are almost $100 now and the numbers begin to fade as well.

BPS3akaWirels3
09-12-2010, 08:51 PM
Plus the replica are almost $100 now and the numbers begin to fade as well.

Yep.. That is the one I have and it sucks.. What a rip...

steeldevil
09-12-2010, 08:55 PM
Plus the replica are almost $100 now and the numbers begin to fade as well.

Yea that happened to my little brother's Ben replica and is starting to happen to my Ward replica... I will be getting the "authentics" from China from now on haha.

BPS3akaWirels3
09-12-2010, 08:58 PM
BORNTRADE.COM

I have gotten all but 2 jerseys from there...

The Duke
09-12-2010, 09:23 PM
Wow, very nice job bro

I have a couple of fake jerseys but have never had a problem with them. Still, I try to always get the real deal

This should help in the future. thanks

tube517
09-12-2010, 10:11 PM
Me too. I got #56 and #43 for $25 each and they are no worse than the "official" replica jerseys.

Also, I can't afford $200+ for an authentic jersey so it's the cheap ones for me.


I used to buy all the replica jerseys and have recently gone to the ones from China. They aren't perfect but I like them better then buying an over priced one from the NFL

steelerdude15
09-12-2010, 11:16 PM
I'm not done with this thread yet, I'll still be making more updates to it soon. I did pay $289.99 (plus s/h) for mine, but I saved up for it. It's not like I just blew my money on one. Plus these jerseys last for a long time.

Wallace108
09-12-2010, 11:35 PM
Awesome work, steelerdude. I've bought all my jerseys at department stores. Some of them have held up quite well, but on some the numbers are deteriorating because of washing. I'll have to take a closer look and see if I can notice the differences you have pointed out.

steelerdude15
09-13-2010, 05:50 PM
Well, I just did some more editing and it's a little improved. Hope all like!

LLT
09-13-2010, 06:10 PM
Well, I just did some more editing and it's a little improved. Hope all like!

Very well done.

It's obvious that you took a great deal of time and effort!!!

HometownGal
09-14-2010, 08:47 AM
I want both a #3 Reed jersey and a #24 Matt Cooke jersey (both in black preferably) and I checked Born Trade's website and can't either one of them in a ladies jersey. Anyone have any suggestions on where I can find both of these?

steelerdude15
09-14-2010, 08:59 PM
Well.... you could always go to NFLshop.com for the Reed jersey and SHOP.NHL.COM for the Cooke jersey. Here is the link for the Cooke jersey: http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3172393&cp=3169596&clickid=body_bestsell_txt. The one for the Reed jersey: http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2528599&cp=2237514&lmdn=Gender&pageType=family&parentPage=family

steelerdude15
09-19-2010, 10:36 PM
Bump! Trying to make this a sticky!

BPS3akaWirels3
09-20-2010, 09:16 PM
send the mods a PM

steelerdude15
09-20-2010, 09:42 PM
send the mods a PM
Been doing it sir.

BPS3akaWirels3
09-21-2010, 09:20 PM
Done

SteeleReign
09-22-2010, 09:26 PM
I've been Borntrade-ing like a mad man & am friggin lovin' it. I've gotten 3 M&N's (Lambert, Franco, & a Lebeau Lions throwback) & they are all incredible. No complaints at all & for $32 each I can fill my closet for what it costs to buy one "authentic" from NFL shop. What a rip!

BPS3akaWirels3
09-22-2010, 09:42 PM
I've been Borntrade-ing like a mad man & am friggin lovin' it. I've gotten 3 M&N's (Lambert, Franco, & a Lebeau Lions throwback) & they are all incredible. No complaints at all & for $32 each I can fill my closet for what it costs to buy one "authentic" from NFL shop. What a rip!

Please do not temp me.. I am holding out... I know I am due for another 3 or 4 jerseys. Trying to hold out for my B-day..

SteeleReign
09-24-2010, 11:12 PM
Please do not temp me.. I am holding out... I know I am due for another 3 or 4 jerseys. Trying to hold out for my B-day..

Yeah, I hear ya...it's tough. Obviously, I'm no Lions fan, but I love Lebeau. His Lions throwback is SHHHHWWEEEEETTTT!!! I got the white one & love it!

Wallace108
09-25-2010, 12:12 AM
I never thought about getting a jersey other than a Steelers jersey ... but I'd definitely wear the Lebeau Lions jersey. Might have to do it ...

SteeleReign
09-25-2010, 09:44 AM
I never thought about getting a jersey other than a Steelers jersey ... but I'd definitely wear the Lebeau Lions jersey. Might have to do it ...

I hear ya...I kinda thought the same way, but my respect for Lebeau goes waaay beyond football. And, the Lions throwback looks awesome. Do it - you won't regret it!

SMR
09-25-2010, 09:56 PM
I'm not done with this thread yet, I'll still be making more updates to it soon. I did pay $289.99 (plus s/h) for mine, but I saved up for it. It's not like I just blew my money on one. Plus these jerseys last for a long time.

Good job for all the hard work and research you've put into this thread. Too bad it seems to degenerate into some second-hand quality jersey talk, lol. No hard feelings to the others since I do respect their opinions, but like you steelersdude15, I'm a firm believer in the real deal authentic jerseys. Also, like you, I do save up money over time to get the good ones.

steelerdude15
09-29-2010, 11:28 PM
Thanks SMR!

SMR
09-30-2010, 03:32 PM
Thanks SMR!

You got it bud!

steelerdude15
10-03-2010, 08:47 PM
BUMP

Sixburgh
06-07-2017, 10:59 PM
An easy trick I always use to tell a real authentic style Reebok jersey from '02 - '11, especially if you don't have detailed pics like above, is by looking at the shoulders & sleeves. Many other teams use a shiny "dazzle" material, PHG does not. The material is a flat white or flat black. Here are a couple pics I pulled from eBay for comparison.
(the fake example is choppy because it has been resized)

I AM UNABLE TO ADD PICS NOW FOR SOME REASON, I ADDED ONE EASILY TO MY ONLY OTHER POST. BUT THIS INFO COULD STILL BE USEFUL WITHOUT IMAGES.

Another easy tell is the placement of the jock tag located near the bottom hem. Counterfeit jerseys tend to have them placed too high. The authentic ones' tags are ALWAYS about 1 3/4" from the bottom and about the same distance in from the side as well. Some fake may however have the tag in the proper place.

86WARD
06-08-2017, 04:21 AM
The numbers on fake ones tend to be spaced too close or too far apart and the font, although the same, is thicker. Think bold as compared to regular.