The evolution of the NFL facemask

[Apefist]

So, I've always been interested in the myriad facemasks used over the years in the NFL. They became mandatory for any players entering into the league after 1958, with the players who entered prior to 58 able to choose whether they wore them or not. By the mid 1960s, every player in the league had at least a one bar facemask, and from then, the evolution of face protection took off:

They've gotten quite elaborate over the years...

Chris Canty, current Cowboys' DL:
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/07-07/0731canty.jpg

From the 70s-80s LA Rams OL, Jackie Slater:

And while, not a facemask, who could forget the shortbus helmet:

The one favored by Jaworski, Bradshaw, and Greise:

The current weird face mask favored by some NFL players:

The fact that linemen used to wear this facemask cracks me up:

And the rest...

<<<when I played, my facemask was like this one

Those last two are like Imperial Stormtroopers helmets or something.

Yes,I am a geek, but I just think they are interesting.

 

[Temo]

Nice post. The ones worn by Jaworski, Bradshaw, and Greise could also be labeled "helmets worn by guys who got beat up a lot and may or may not be functional retards because of the abuse their heads took" (ok, so that's mostly Bradshaw, but you get the point).

You know, like this:
http://storage.msn.com/x1pGHpas_o48...-4kWTShFxJtC3pfL3-zMBeYGFXS6ql2THR3mp8VbnZ28w

Imagine if they did to QBs now... it'd be an international incident.

 

[Hostile]

Coolest thread I have read all week.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Nice stuff. Those leather helmets are crazy IDK how they played with those on.

 

[Achozen]

Nice stuff. Those leather helmets are crazy IDK how they played with those on.

They played the same way players play now, just without a facemask.

 

[Apefist]

...with fewer teeth...

back when Dunham & Miller first took over mornings when Skip Bayless left the Ticket, I used to call in and derail their topics by talking about facemasks, because they are big fans of "the football helmet." You could derail them with helmet talk or "strange but true football stories," those books in your school library.

 

[JPM]

Coolest thread I have read all week.

Hos. did you play with this one ?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Hos. did you play with this one ?

No that would have been Cbz.

 

[tomson75]

Love it. Great thread.

 

[Apefist]

This might just be the very first ever football "facemask":

Turn of the Century Football Noseguard.
This exceptional piece of vintage football equipment was designed to protect the nose of early football players. The strap of the noseguard went around the head and the was held in place by clenching one’s teeth on a rubber bit. The football noseguard represents one of the more unusual pieces of antique football memorabilia.

 

[MisterPinstripe]

This might just be the very first ever football "facemask":

Turn of the Century Football Noseguard.
This exceptional piece of vintage football equipment was designed to protect the nose of early football players. The strap of the noseguard went around the head and the was held in place by clenching one’s teeth on a rubber bit. The football noseguard represents one of the more unusual pieces of antique football memorabilia.

Now thats cool...

 

[BAZ]

Never seen the clear plastic before, interesting.

 

[Apefist]

Here is one crazy facemask:

NY Times did an article based on my original post:

This is just funny:

It came from an article like my original post, too.
http://www.pigskinbuzz.com/the-five-weirdest-helmets-ever-worn-in-the-nfl-1547

This is just cool if you dig facemasks:

I wish they'd bring these back:

You must be joking:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6726143_draw-football-facemask.html

football evolution:

Riddells

Custom electric football players. When I got mine in 1978, It came with the stinking Raiders and the 0-4 (Super Bowls) Viqueens.

Longhorns are trippin'

The ******bag mask:

 

[Yeagermeister]

I've always liked the bulldog ones

 

[Seven]

Coolest thread I have read all week.

Indeed...........