Maya Ellison
The evolution of the NFL face mask is a fascinating one, with the first plastic facemasks appearing in the early 1950s. Before this, players wore leather helmets with an executioner design that covered the nose and much of the face. Plastic helmets were introduced in the 1955 Spalding catalogue, and the NFL recommended that players wear face masks in the same year. The single-bar facemask was an important innovation, but it was soon replaced by more complex designs. The NFL formally banned single-bar facemasks in 2004, but some players were grandfathered in. The last single-bar helmet appeared in a professional game in 2007.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | Face masks were first used in the NFL in the 1950s |
| Inventor | Cleveland Browns founder Paul Brown |
| Reason | Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns suffered a facial laceration, so Brown invented a mask that could be permanently affixed to the helmet |
| Material | Plastic |
| Previous attempts | "Executioner" helmet, nose guard |
| Rules | In 1957, the NCAA made face masking a penalty, and the NFL followed in 1962 |
| Single-bar face masks | Banned in 2004, but some players were grandfathered in |
| Multi-bar face masks | In the late 1970s, John Williams created a homemade facemask with multiple bars made of masking tape |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic face masks were first used in the NFL in the 1950s
- The Cleveland Browns founder, Paul Brown, asked for a face mask to be created for player Otto Graham
- The single-bar face mask was banned in 2004
- Face masks were first used in the leather helmet era
- Face masks are now made of metal with a plastic coating
Plastic face masks were first used in the NFL in the 1950s
The adoption of plastic face masks in the NFL was a gradual process. In the early 1950s, Cleveland Browns founder Paul Brown asked equipment manager Leo Murphy to create a device that would allow star quarterback Otto Graham to continue playing after suffering a lacerated mouth. This led to the creation of the first dedicated facemask, which could be permanently affixed to the helmet. Other teams soon followed suit, and by 1955, face masks had largely become part of the standard NFL uniform.
The NFL recommended the use of plastic face guards in 1955, specifically mentioning the RIDDELL plastic face guards used by the Cleveland Browns in 1954. These early face masks were often made of clear plastic with cushions between the mask and the player's face. However, the increased use of plastic helmets and protruding face masks also led to more facial injuries for players who did not wear face masks. As a result, manufacturers designed and sold more mask-like face coverings that rested on the player's face.
The evolution of NFL face masks continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with the introduction of the double-bar Kralite-2 facemask, which became the most popular design by 1966. By the 1980s, cage-like designs had become the norm at all levels of the game, offering improved protection for players. The NFL also introduced rules to enhance player safety, such as banning the grabbing of face masks during play, which was outlawed in 1956 and carried a severe penalty.
While plastic face masks underwent various design iterations, they remained a staple of NFL equipment, with players given the freedom to choose helmets and face masks that suited their preferences and positions. The focus on player safety and equipment standards in the NFL has continued to evolve, with the introduction of new helmet designs, such as the Riddell Revolution, which aims to reduce concussions by moving the side clip attachments to the jaw area.
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The Cleveland Browns founder, Paul Brown, asked for a face mask to be created for player Otto Graham
The mask created for Graham was made of Lucite, a clear plastic material. It was the first mask designed to attach to a helmet and was considered the first official facemask. It was produced by the helmet manufacturer Riddell, who would later create the first mass-produced facemask, which became standard in the NFL.
Paul Brown had been thinking about facemask designs prior to Graham's injury. He was aware of the shortcomings of Lucite, including its tendency to become brittle in cold weather and shatter on impact. After the 1953 season, Brown approached Riddell again with a revised concept, requesting a mask that could withstand impacts and deter players from punching each other.
Riddell developed a single gray bar made of rubber and plastic, which Brown mandated for all his players. Other teams followed suit, and the use of face masks became widespread in the NFL by 1955. The NFL recommended the use of plastic face guards in that year's rule book, and the adoption of face masks helped to prevent injuries and protect players.
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The single-bar face mask was banned in 2004
The single-bar face mask was a prominent symbol of the NFL in the 1970s, featuring on all sorts of team merchandise. Single bars were the only available design when face masks were first introduced in the 1950s. However, the single-bar face mask was officially banned in professional football in 2004, with the remaining players still using them allowed to continue under a grandfather clause.
The ban was implemented due to safety concerns. Plastic helmets, which became commonplace in the 1950s, led to an increase in facial injuries for players who did not wear face masks. As a result, manufacturers designed and sold more mask-like face coverings that rested on the face. These often included cushions and were made of clear plastic.
Single-bar face masks did not offer the same level of protection as the newer designs, and by the early 1980s, cage-like designs had become the norm at all levels of the sport. The last player in professional football to wear the single-bar was Scott Player, who finished his career in 2009.
The position of the player on the field also influenced the design of the face mask. For example, quarterbacks, receivers, and kickers/punters needed good visibility and often opted for a single horizontal bar or a two-bar face mask. In contrast, linemen might have several bars on their face masks, both horizontal and vertical, for added protection.
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Face masks were first used in the leather helmet era
The leather helmet era in the NFL ended in 1949 when the league officially adopted the plastic helmet. However, the use of face masks in the NFL dates back much earlier, to the leather helmet era.
In the leather helmet era, there were early attempts at face protection, such as the "executioner" helmet, which covered the nose and much of the face, resembling traditional executioner masks. Another early form of face protection was the nose guard, which simply covered the player's nose. These early attempts at face protection paved the way for the development of more advanced face masks in the NFL.
The adoption of plastic helmets in the 1950s also led to the increased use of face masks in the NFL. In 1953, Cleveland Browns founder Paul Brown asked equipment manager Leo Murphy to devise a face mask for star quarterback Otto Graham, who had suffered a lacerated mouth. This face mask was permanently affixed to the helmet, and other teams soon adopted this practice. By 1955, the facemask had largely become part of the NFL uniform.
While the adoption of face masks in the NFL was a significant development, it also presented new challenges. The use of plastic helmets and protruding face masks led to an increase in facial injuries for players who did not wear face masks. As a result, manufacturers designed and sold more mask-like face coverings that rested on the face, often made of clear plastic with cushions between the mask and the player's face.
In summary, the leather helmet era in the NFL saw the early development of face masks, with the "executioner" helmet and nose guard providing initial forms of face protection. The transition to plastic helmets in the 1950s accelerated the adoption of face masks, with teams recognising their importance in protecting players from facial injuries. By the mid-1950s, single face bars were added to helmets, further advancing the evolution of face protection in the NFL.
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Face masks are now made of metal with a plastic coating
The evolution of NFL face masks has come a long way since the early days of the sport. Initially, players wore leather helmets, with some sporting improvised face masks as early as the 1920s. These early attempts at face protection included "bird cage" masks, "executioner" masks, and even transparent plastic masks. However, the dedicated face mask as we know it today didn't come about until the 1950s.
In 1953, Cleveland Browns founder Paul Brown asked equipment manager Leo Murphy to devise a face mask for star quarterback Otto Graham, who had suffered a lacerated mouth. This innovation sparked a wider adoption of face masks in the NFL, and by 1955, they had largely become part of the standard NFL uniform. The NFL recommended the use of plastic face guards, similar to those used by the Cleveland Browns in 1954, to reduce facial injuries.
Over time, the design of NFL face masks has continued to evolve. Single-bar face masks, which were initially the only available design, gradually gave way to cage-like structures. By the early 1980s, cage-like designs had become the norm at all levels of the sport. Single-bar face masks were officially banned in professional football in 2004, with the remaining players allowed to continue using them under a grandfather clause.
Today, NFL face masks are made of metal with a plastic coating, ensuring both protection and visibility for players. Different positions require different types of face masks to balance these two factors. For example, quarterbacks, receivers, and kickers/punters require good visibility, so they typically wear a two-bar face mask, while linemen may have several bars for added protection.
The evolution of NFL face masks reflects the league's ongoing commitment to player safety and comfort, while also adapting to the changing nature of the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
Cleveland Browns founder Paul Brown asked equipment manager Leo Murphy to invent a face mask for quarterback Otto Graham in 1953. Brown's design, known as the BT-5, was produced by Riddell.
The first NFL face mask was made of pure plastic. It featured a single horizontal bar and was affixed to the helmet.
Face masks were introduced to protect players from injuries. Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns began wearing a face mask after suffering a facial laceration.
Face masks were adopted universally in the NFL by 1962.
No, the single-bar face mask was banned in 2004 due to safety concerns. However, some players were grandfathered in and continued to wear them until 2007.
