How To Tell An Authentic NFL Jersey From A Fake

LAST UPDATED ON SEP. 9, 2023 AT 9:12 AM | 13 MINUTE READ

As an average NFL fan, it’s important to be able to tell an authentic NFL jersey from a fake.

If you’re dealing with a verified site such as NFLShop.com, it’s not an issue.

But if you’re on a limited budget, chances are you’ll look elsewhere in order to save a few bucks.

Or that you’re intentionally looking for a fake (thereby supporting illegal counterfeiters).

In this case, it could be that:

• After spending thousands on tickets, tailgating, & tv subscriptions, you want to clamp down.
• You already own a $150 jersey, and don’t feel the need to spend that much on a second one.
• You’re jersey shopping for your kid(s). Why spend a hundred bucks on something that he or she will outgrow by next year?

So what’s the problem? Even on “trusted” sites like Ebay and Amazon, there are over a million counterfeit jerseys in circulation.

First impressions

Ideally, you should examine any potential purchase up close, but you won’t always get the chance.  In the event that you’re viewing from a distance, or checking out photos of an online listing, a brief eyeball test will have to suffice.

Here are 2 ways to spot knock off NFL jerseys in seconds:

1. Manufacturing country – If you’re close enough to see the collar tag and it says, “Made in China”, don’t look any further. Neither Nike nor Reebok has ever manufactured jerseys in China.
2. Chest numbers – If the numbers are stitched on, they should be flat, even, with a smooth, “settled-in” look (figure A), and not resemble wrinkled bed sheets (B). They should also be matte, and not glossy. Additionally, the numbers should be large enough to cover most of the front of the jersey, like figure C, and not figure D.

Not sure if it’s the real McCoy? Then show us your jerseys! 

To be sure, these are but 2 keys when it comes to authenticating football jerseys on the fly.  It gets more involved when you take into consideration the different Nike NFL jersey types and the various legacy brands.

But first…

What is an authentic NFL jersey?

In plain context, an authentic NFL jersey is what the pro football players wear on the field. The Nike Elite is about as close to that as you can get, and it’s what every fan wants.

(Note: in the context of this article, authentic refers to any NFL jersey that is produced by a company that is officially licensed by the NFL. So in addition to current manufactures Nike and Mitchell & Ness, this includes legacy companies like Russell, Reebok, & Wilson.)

So then, what’s the problem? Nada, if you have $325 to blow at NFL Shop. Given that 300 bucks is steep for the average NFL fan, it’s no wonder that many of us consider not only the cheaper versions, but the fake ones as well.

To clarify – while the prospect of saving hundreds of dollars by purchasing counterfeit replica jerseys is enticing, it could cost you more in the long run.

”20 percent of the people who buy counterfeit jerseys don’t know they’re getting an illegitimate product” – npr.com

Worst case scenarios:

• You buy from an illegitimate website and never receive your order. Make sure the site is legit.
• You get a nice looking jersey, but it disintegrates after a few washings. Treating it as an anomaly, you order another one, and so on, until you’ve spent the cost of an NFL Nike Limited jersey before the end of football season.

What if it feels like a real NFL jersey?

For instance,  let’s say you bought a jersey on Ebay (‘Jersey A’) at a really good price, and you’re comparing it to an authentic NFL jersey you already own (‘Jersey B’).

In this case, Jersey A has stitched-on numbers, while Jersey B doesn’t.  In addition, Jersey A also feels heavier and sturdier.

But before you go thinking that your purchase was in fact not too good to be true, realize that counterfeiters usually try to replicate a certain model or level of jersey. In the above scenario, Jersey A is a knock-off of a Nike NFL Elite Jersey, while Jersey B is a genuine Nike Game Jersey.

”“Some people are not even aware it’s a fake. They’re just running around thinking they got a great deal”

As a result, Jersey A may seem more impressive than Jersey B, but it’s still a fake.

The first things to look for in an authentic NFL jersey

If you do get the opportunity to check out an NFL jersey up close, here’s what you should initially focus on:

• Stitching – Examine the stitching on all parts of the garment. If you see a single loose or frayed thread, it could be nothing. Multiple instances, however, means there’s a good chance it’s fake. Real NFL jerseys are impeccably stitched.
• Hemline tag – Aka jock tag. Although tags vary according to brand, model, & year, they should all appear clear & legible, with non-contrasting stitching. (More on jock tags to follow).
• NFL shield – The NFL shield logo at the base of the neckline should be properly aligned and bear a distinct shape and font. More on that below.
• Fabric quality – Pick up the jersey. Does it give the impression of being heavy & durable enough to be authentic, or does it feel flimsy? Additionally, you can hold it up against some light. If the mesh holes are large enough to give it a see-through appearance, you’ve got a problem.

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Nike

To repeat, if it says, “Made in China”, it’s as fake as a $50 Louis Vuitton handbag. Nike manufactures their jerseys in Guatemala and Honduras. 

The collar tag

Start by examining the collar tag. Specifically, all genuine Nike jerseys have neckline labels that are sewn on all sides, so they do not flip up.  Knockoff jersey makers have gotten better with their tags in recent years. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of real & fake neckline tags:

What’s wrong with the one on the right?

• First, note the shape of the football, stars, & lettering on the NFL shield logo.
• Then, there’s the erratic stitching, particularly on the left side of the tag.

Poll: Which type of Nike NFL jersey do you own?

The jock tag

Next, check the hemline tag. Is the material canvas or papery? Is it wrinkled??  The jock tag on an authentic NFL jersey has raised panels with embossed logos.

Examine the images below. Can you tell which ones are fake?  (Navigate by using the arrows [desktop] or by dragging [mobile]).

• The first one appeared on the earliest counterfeit jerseys, and the poor quality is obvious.
• While the second one is much improved, it’s still obviously bogus. In addition to not appearing embossed, there’s no space between ‘NFL’ and ‘PLAYERS’, and the stitching is a contrasting color.
• Note the clear stitching on the third pic, as well as the embossed look of the panels & logos.

2023 update

Here is the updated jock tag on a Nike NFL Game Jersey:

NFL shield

Is the NFL shield at the base of the neckline black & white, or red, white, & blue?  Does it have a rubbery look?

Check out the images below. Note the raised lettering in the left picture, with the stars & football having a carved in appearance. In contrast, the one on the right is flat, to say nothing of the sloppy and frayed stitching.

Pro tip: Sometimes, counterfeiters will inadvertently mix features that are distinct to individual jersey models. These mashups are easily detected.  For instance, if you spot a Nike jersey that combines stitched on letters & numbers with lightweight fabric, it’s a fake.

This is why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the NFL Nike jersey types.

SAVE UP TO 54% ON NIKE NFL JERSEYS

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Jock tag

Finally, examine the jock tag. But this can get tricky, because Reebok changed the tag design at least 4 times during its run. Specifically, there were variations with its own logo, and the inclusion of the ‘PLAYERS INC’ logo & subsequent change to ‘NFL PLAYERS’:

2001	Vertical tag consisting of the Reebok logo, the NFL team helmet logo, & the NFL shield, accompanied by some text.
2002	Horizontally oriented, with the vector logo followed by ‘reebok’.
2005	Added the multi-colored ‘Players Inc’ logo, while its own became ‘Reebok’ followed by its vector logo.
2007	Changed ‘Players Inc’ to ‘NFL Players’. ‘Reebok’ became ‘Rbk’.
2008	Basically the same, but removed the vector logo and went with ‘Reebok’.
Source:	nfljerseyfanparadise.forumotion.com

Granted, this can get confusing, so just remember this – the devil is in the details.

To demonstrate, take the following image, which is a decent facsimile of the hemline tag circa 2008, except that:

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Mitchell and Ness

Another major producer of “real” NFL jerseys is Mitchell & Ness.

While they don’t make contemporary jerseys, they continue to churn out vintage models that are immensely popular.

So while you’re not as likely to encounter a counterfeit Mitchell & Ness throwback jersey, you should still be able to tell if it’s a fake.

Here are the 3 tell-tale signs from the above photo:

Firstly, the numbers: Although not overly shiny, it’s still a noteworthy example of what we discussed above.

Secondly, the NFL shield: The shield at the base of the neckline – which didn’t appear on M & N jerseys until 1991 – should look like…

(By the way, this also applies to Reebok jerseys)

Lastly, the jock tag: The tag at the garment hemline should resemble…

Summary

• Nike, and before that Reebok, do not & did not make their jerseys in China.
• One of the quickest ways to spot a fake NFL jersey is to examine the chest numbers. This will work even with a photograph.
• Tags, stitching, logos, & the fabric itself are other things to check when verifying authenticity.
• Not all counterfeit jerseys are created equal. While some are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, others are blatantly bogus.

In the end, if you’re still having trouble telling a real jersey from a fake, post a photo of your suspect jersey and we’ll try to determine its authenticity.

Next: Reebok NFL Jerseys vs Nike: Which Is Best for You?