History of NFL Helmets

Helmets are the most important part of any NFL uniform. They keep the players' noggins safe--a vital job when game play involves being repeatedly hit by the other team--and many noted players have retired from the game rather than risk head injuries. In the early days of professional football, helmets consisted of simple leather caps, and some players didn't wear them at all. Modern technology has brought a number of advances to NFL helmets, making them far safer and more reliable than earlier versions.

  1. Early Days

    • Early helmets were made of hardened leather, with padding on the inside and flaps to cover the ears. Holes were placed in the flaps to let the players hear the calls, and there were no face masks on the early helmets.

    The Coming of Plastic

    • Plastic helmets first arose in 1939, pioneered by the John T. Riddell Company, which also created face masks and proper chin straps. The coming of World War II delayed their implementation, however, since plastic was needed for the war effort. The plastic helmets got a big boost after the war from Chicago Bears coach George Halas (Riddell was based in Chicago). "Poppa Bear" successfully lobbied the NFL to make plastic helmets official gear starting in 1949. They have been worn in some form or another ever since.

    Logos

    • Though early helmets matched the team's colors, they had no other adornment. That changed in 1948 when Los Angeles Ram player Fred Gehrke painted a pair of yellow horns on each of his team's blue helmets. (Gehrke had experience as a graphic artist.) Other teams began following suit and--with the exception of the Cleveland Browns--all of them currently wear some type of logo on their helmets.

    Face Masks

    • The early Riddell face masks had considerable problems standing up to the stress of an NFL game. They would often shatter, risking injury to both the player who wore it and the player who hit him. In 1955, the mask design was altered to include a tubular bar, which proved much more durable. The face masks soon became more elaborate to provide additional protection: linebackers today often wear elaborate cages on their helmets, while kickers may have just a single bar or two.

    Visors

    • Visors began appearing on helmets in the mid-1980s. They could shield the eyes from glaring rays of the sun, much like sunglasses, while affording further protection from injuries. They're not commonly used, but some players prefer them... most notably running back LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers.