LOOK GREAT PLAY GREAT: NFL Week 1's Best Tunnel Fits
Published
After over 240 days without National Football League action, the NFL is back in full swing. Sunday featured a slate of 14 games, with many matchups going down to the final quarter. While we obviously paid attention to the action on the field, both for the purposes of cheering on our favorite team and our fantasy squad, the pre-game tunnel fits were a highlight as always. The start of a new season is akin to the first day of school, so you know players across the league went all-in for their tunnel walks.
We’ve rounded up the best tunnel fits from week 1 of the 2025 NFL season below. Check back every Monday as we recap the best outfits from around the league, because when you look great, you play great.
Abdul Carter
Ahead of his NFL debut, third overall pick Abdul Carter from the Giants walked into enemy territory to take on the Washington Commanders rocking a nearly blacked-out fit. Alongside his Black Cement Air Jordan 3s, a satin black coat, a washed black hoodie, and a black leather bag, Carter was spotted with the giant iced-out INCRDBL chain he wore to the NFL draft.
Adonai Mitchell
Colts WR Adonai Mitchell entered the arena wearing a simple pinstripe outfit, but his sneakers stole the show. The adidas athlete, who signed with The Three Stripes ahead of his rookie season last year, was spotted in a pair of Wales Bonner x adidas Sambas.
Alohi Gilman
While we’re all excited to try and get our hands on Zion Williamson’s latest Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG PE, Alohi Gilman headed into week 1 in the original Voodoo colorway of Zion’s AJ 1 Low. The rest of the ‘fit was lowkey, pairing the sneakers with under armour sweatpants and a navy hoodie.
Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers were hoping for a good start from Bryce Young, but unfortunately he couldn’t deliver in week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While his on-field performance was lackluster, throwing two picks and holding a passer rating of 49.0, the Jordan Brand athlete wore a pair of the recently released Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Shattered Backboard.
Chase McLaughlin
Although kickers are usually last on the minds of football fans, Chase McLaughlin made his presence known pre-game. Forgive his one miss during the Bucs' W against the Falcons, he entered the arena wearing a pair of Cap and Gown Air Jordan 11s, perfectly matching his black outfit.
Chris Roland Wallace
Air Jordan 11s are always a go-to for pre-game fits, just ask Chris Roland Wallace. The Kansas City Chiefs' cornerback arrived ahead of KC’s game against the Chargers wearing a pair of Cool Grey Jordan 11s with a Louis Vuitton bag, Bottega Veneta shirt, and denim shorts.
Darious Slay
Not only do you want to get your best fit off to start out the new NFL season, but you especially want it to be noteworthy if you’re playing for a new team. Darious Slay was in this position entering Sunday as the long-time cornerback, who played for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, arrived as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG Better With Time.
Dawand Jones
Although not officially signed to Jordan Brand, Dawand Jones has made it clear he’s a fan of MJ’s sneakers. Throughout his career, he’s been rocking the Jumpman ahead of games, and for week 1, he busted out a pair of Air Jordan 12 Taxis alongside a black Jordan hoodie and a pair of black jeans.
De’Shawn Hand
Salomon in a pre-game tunnel fit? That would’ve been unheard of years ago, but thanks to the likes of Jae Tips, the heritage running brand has a place in streetwear. De’Shawn Hand of the Los Angeles Chargers entered Sunday wearing Jae Tips’ Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 To Do List Pink.
DeAndre Carter
You don’t see the Nike SB Dunk Low Freddy Krueger every day. The ultra-rare sneaker was meant to be destroyed after a cease-and-desist from Warner Bros. made its way to Nike in the early 2000s, but some pairs survived. DeAndre Carter busted out the sneaker, which fetches tens of thousands of dollars on the aftermarket, when he arrived for week 1
Deonte Banks
Supreme and Awake NY in the same outfit. That’s real New York energy, which is exactly what Giants cornerback Deonte Banks brought when he wore a full Supreme track suit with a pair of the Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 Retro in the Black Racer Blue colorway.
Devin Singletary
Another member of the New York Giants who brought NY energy (even though he’s from South Florida) to his tunnel fit, Devin Singletary rocked a grey Supreme hoodie alongside camo shorts and Gallery Dept. Asics Gel-K1011s.
Dominick Puni
It’s always great to see Kobe Bryant honored in the NFL, whether that’s through in-game cleats or pre-game fits like Dominick Puni did this week. The 49ers guard entered the arena in a pair of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro Reverse Grinch.
George Kittle
We’ve seen George Kittle take the field in some high heat, like his custom Union Air Jordan 1 cleats he wore last September to kick off the 2024 NFL season. Ahead of the first game of the 2025 campaign, the 49ers' star tight end was spotted in a pair of Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 6 Retro in the British Khaki colorway.
Haason Reddick
Setting aside the controversy surrounding its release, the Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Freeze Out is one of the best Chicago-themed Jordan 1s of all time. The high price tag on the secondary market is nothing to Haason Reddick of the Tampa Bay Bucs, who busted out a pair of the shoes in the tunnel alongside a Goyard suitcase.
Ja’Sir Taylor
Before taking the field for the Los Angeles Chargers, Ja’Sir Taylor was spotted rocking Lil Yachty’s latest Nike Air Force 1 Low collab. Lil Boat’s original AF1 was criticized for its tame white and navy color palette, so he went all out on his second pair, coating it in a Y2K BAPE-esque green, red, and yellow patent leather.
Jalen Travis
Air Jordan 8s are criminally underrated amongst the general public and sneakerheads. But Jalen Travis knows what's up. The Indianapolis Colts rookie entered the pre-game tunnel wearing the Air Jordan 8 in the Chrome colorway, a very if-you-know-you-know sneaker that originally released in 2003 and was later retroed in 2015.
Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Jarrick Bernard-Converse only found out he would be playing this season for the Cleveland Browns just a few weeks ago. His first pre-game tunnel fit made a great impression with his choice of the Travis Scott x Nike SB Dunk Low.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Ahead of the Washington Commanders' week 1 win against the New York Giants, Javontae Jean-Baptiste showed love to Drake by wearing the Canadian rap star’s Nike Air Force 1 Low Certified Lover Boy in the Pink Foam colorway.
Jevon Holland
Jevon Holland has to be feeling great. He signed a three-year $45 million deal with the New York Giants, and some of that money might have gone to his pre-game tunnel fit from week 1. His simple black hoodie and grey sweat combo was complemented by a pair of Off-White x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG in the Euro-exclusive White colorway.
Jon Runyan Jr.
Another New York Giants player on this week's tunnel fits list, Jon Runyan Jr., entered enemy territory with a pair of the Jarritos x Nike SB Dunk Low.
Josh Allen
The Buffalo Bills superstar, husband to Hailee Steinfeld, and the latest member of New Balance’s football roster, Josh Allen, arrived at his match-up against the Baltimore Ravens comfy as ever in a pair of New Balance 990v6s. More specifically, he wore the Dark Camo colorway that was just released as part of the brand’s Made in USA seasonal collection.
Kyler Murray
We’ve seen Kyler Murray get multiple player-exclusive Nike cleats during his time as a member of The Swoosh, and off the gridiron he’s got some of the rarest Nike products. He paired a pink jacket, white T-shirt, and jean shorts with a pair of all-white Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Highs.
Lamar Jackson
His Baltimore Ravens fell short to the Buffalo Bills in the Sunday night match-up, but Lamar Jackson arrived at the stadium before gametime in one of the best pairs of Asics to release this year. That’s of course Asics’ triple collab with VANDYTHEPINK and atmos on the Gel-Nimbus 10.1. Lamar chose to rock the Strawberry colorway
Malik Nabers
The New York Giants again find an entry on the best fits of week 1 with WR1 Malik Nabers. Before taking the L to the Commanders, Nabers rocked a pair of Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Air Force 1 Lows in the Fuschia colorway.
Mike Evans
The Air Jordan 3 Retro Seoul 2.0 was one of the best surprises to come from Jordan Brand this year, and it seems Mike Evans is a fan. He laced up the homage to the South Korean capital before the Tampa Bay Bucs game W against the Atlanta Falcons
Quay Walker
Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 will go down as the ultimate flex. Quay Walker of the Green Bay Packers decided to lace up a pair of the University Red LV Air Forces ahead of the win against the Detroit Lions.
Rakeem Nunez Roches
Even though this author is a Washington Commanders fan, it's quite obvious that the New York Giants as a whole had the best fits. Another entry from the team is Rakeem Nunez Roches’ choice of the eBay x Nike SB Dunk Low.
Shaq Thompson
The Buffalo Bills have entered the list again thanks to Shaq Thompson. The linebacker headed to his home stadium in a pair of the Off-White x Nike Air Presto.
Tetairoa McMillan
Jordan Brand signed Tetairoa McMillan ahead of his rookie debut, and he showed out in week 1. Not only did he grab 5 passes for 68 yards, but he entered the stadium rocking Travis Scott’s original Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG.
TJ Slaton
The only appearance of a Nike Foamposite on this list comes courtesy of TJ Slaton. He arrived for his Cincinnati Bengals in the recent retro of the Nike Air Foamposite One Cough Drop.
Wandale Robinson
It’s only right we close the list with a New York Giant right? Wandale Robinson joins several teammates thanks to his choice of the Air Jordan 4 Military Blue (or Industrial Blue if you’re Jordan Brand and want to rewrite history). He also came in holding two orange Nike boxes, though we’re not sure what was inside.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
