NFL's best and worst April Fools' Day pranks in recent years
April Fools' Day is Saturday, so NFL fans are advised to be on high alert for fake news.
Let's take a look back at some of the most clever gags teams have pulled off over the year, as well as a few clunkers that missed the mark.
Best
Colts unveil whiteout uniforms
In a prank some consider the best ever by a pro sports team, the Colts unveiled new uniforms featuring white numbers on white jerseys with white accents. In 2015, at the height of the "blackout" and "whiteout" trend in uniforms, they actually made some sense.
Until you saw them, at least.
All white everything. #WHITEOUT
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 1, 2015
GALLERY: http://t.co/CpkrZusw2m pic.twitter.com/LErkGi3wpm
The key detail here is that the team produced a slick video in which the uniforms were unveiled, convincing some fans that they were indeed real.
49ers launch Jim Harbaugh Collection
The 49ers may have fooled few fans with their apparent launch of the Jim Harbaugh Collection on April 1, 2013, but they still get credit for an amusing idea.
It was a supposed fashion line based around then-head coach Jim Harbaugh's trademark khaki pants and black fleece shirt.
(Courtesy: 49ers)
Worst
Bruce Irvin's phony DUI
Then a member of the Seattle Seahawks, pass-rusher Bruce Irvin made the ill-advised decision to issue an apology to his fans for getting a DUI on April Fools' Day 2015.
Before this hits the media I just wanna apologize to my fans and the @Seahawks organization once again. I made a terrible decision b driving
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) April 1, 2015
After I had a few drinks. I will do everything to get ur trust back and will become a better person after this.
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) April 1, 2015
Except he didn't get a DUI. It was a joke.
It's a safe bet Irvin got a stern lecture from his team, and perhaps also the NFL, about making light of a very serious issue.
Chiefs draft Leon Sandcastle
Remember Leon Sandcastle?
Of course you don't, because he (Deion Sanders in an obvious wig and mustache) was a forgettable character that existed just because Sanders thinks he's a competent comedic actor. Still, he was inexplicably forced down the throats of football fans for a good chunk of 2013.
Even the Kansas City Chiefs, who owned the top pick in that year's draft, got in on things by announcing they would select Sandcastle first overall.
Greg Jennings' self-own
As the first day of April approached in 2015, free-agent wideout Jennings teased an announcement of where he would sign:
Done deal!
— Greg Jennings (@GregJennings) March 31, 2015
Attention media outlets and NFL insiders: There will be no leaks inside the Jennings camp! You will all find out the same time as the fans!
— Greg Jennings (@GregJennings) April 1, 2015
Then, after midnight on April 1, Jennings posted a video of his daughters saying it was all a gag.
Jennings actually hadn't signed anywhere, and never did anything of consequence in the NFL again.
So ... the joke was on him?