NBA News: Andrew Bynum could miss entire preseason
September 18, 2013While We’re Waiting… MVUbaldo
September 18, 2013The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were slated to wear their throwback ‘creamsicle’ uniforms next week, but they announced yesterday that they will not be wearing them because of a new rule.
NFL.com posted a piece yesterday explaining the rule:
“This offseason, we communicated a recommendation from the Head, Neck and Spine Committee and the Player Safety Advisory Panel to those teams planning to wear throwback uniforms for at least one game this season. They recommended that players no longer wear different helmets as part of a ‘throwback’ or ‘third’ uniform. … Teams may continue to wear throwback uniforms under league guidelines, but players must wear their regular helmets. The outside of the helmet can be modified by removing or replacing decals, as long as it does not affect the integrity of the helmet.”
Color me surprised that players only wear one helmet all season long no matter what uniform they are wearing. This is a league in which players wear a different pair of gloves and shoes every practice, let alone games.
I could see the safety precaution in not wanting a player to switch helmet types during the season, say going from the Revolution by Riddell to the Schutt DNA Pro. However, you would think that two helmets by the same manufacturer that are the same size and fitted by the same equipment personnel would be sufficient.
Tip of the hat to Uni-Watch.
[Related: Gurley waived to clear room for Josh Gordon]
15 Comments
completely agree Rick. and, I would think that you would want multiple helmets to wear during the season to ensure the integrity of the helmet is maintained throughout all the hits.
“the Head, Neck and Spine Committee”
Translation: Lawyers.
Dear NFL Anal Rententives,
Give. Me. A. Break.
Fine, but what about chin straps? Did you ever think of that, NFL?
All straps for that matter!
I really liked those creamsicle unis but even the newer version was nice. I wish Cleveland had real uniforms but I’d settle for a real life team. Oh and cheerleaders too!
*ahem* dirty, rotten lawyers
Tom Misny would make them pay!
I don’t get it. They weren’t old fashioned helmets or anything, right? What difference does the color make? How is a new helmet less good than an old helmet? SNELL tells me that if my motorcycle helmet hits anything with my head inside, I should throw it away and get a new one. I would think the NFL would want players to replace their helmets periodically if anything.
Here’s the deal: The NFL’s lawyers said, “Don’t give future lawsuits any new basis upon which to state a new claim. We already know (and have settled) the arguments on these claims, don’t give them any new ones.” It has nothing to do with the helmets.
You may indeed be correct, but I’m a tad incredulous about that advice nonetheless. At some point a player is going to sue because they had to use the same helmet all year when there were studies out there suggesting the level of protection degrades when it hits another helmet or the ground.
So we can forget about a throwback jersey with leather helmets this year?
My guess is the NFL is more comfortable facing that music, and countering “studies” with other “studies,” than they are facing the “I suffered catastrophic head injuries because the NFL wanted to sell gear” argument. The latter is a PR nightmare; the former is arguably an indictment on every football team and league (except the Oregon Ducks) that has ever played.
What like the jock strap?
College teams were multiple helmets though out the season, Oregon has at least 5 different helmets. Besides what if a helmet were to break can the replace it or do they have to wear the same one. Helmets like skiers, cyclists and motorcyclists use are recommended to be replace after any hard impact. How many hard impacts do NFL player have every week?