The Aesthetics of a Football Helmet

Football equipment has been going through changes since the inception of the sport. These changes have been made as a result of more safety data being collected through various studies conducted, but I wanted to focus more on the aesthetic aspect of certain pieces of equipment. Since most of the protective equipment that is required by the NFL is worn under the uniform, I wanted to take a look at the one piece of equipment that is not worn under clothing. The helmet is a cornerstone of a football player’s outfit, as well as a team’s uniform, but players have just enough agency to add some of their personality to what goes on their heads on Sundays.

  • 1960s
  • 1980s
  • 2010s

https://www.gq.com/story/evolution-of-the-football-helmet

First and foremost, the purpose of the football helmet is to protect player’s heads in a sport that is violent by nature, and in which contact is unavoidable. That being said, I have always been interested in how players style their helmets to complement their uniforms and to show their individuality while on the field. Currently, there are a variety of helmet brands that are approved by the NFL and within those brands there are a number of different models that cater more to position-specific needs, as well as stylistic and protective qualities as well. The most well known are brands such as Schutt, Riddell, and Vicis, which is a newer brand that has pushed helmet safety to a new level. 

https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/equipment-and-innovation/equipment-testing/helmet-laboratory-testing-performance-results

Despite the purpose of the football helmet which has always been safety first, it is undeniable that the effect of the helmet influences how a player looks. I think the players below do an excellent job of choosing safe options that also allow them to look the way they want. How players adapt to the rules and regulations of the sport to create their own unique look is a concept that I have always thought much about, and it is one that I wish to explore more and more.

From photos 1-3 (in the order that they appear): Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers in a Riddell Speedflex, Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City Chiefs in a Schutt F7, and Doug Baldwin formerly of the Seattle Seahawks wearing a Vicis Zero1.