Football Helmets

October 16th, 2008 | Football Helmets, Football Memorabilia, Sports, Sports Memorabilia

Peter Max Minnesota Vikings Football Helmet

US $4,900.00

Sale

Mike Alstott Autographed Signed Bucs Football Helmet

US $2,499.95

Sale

Sports Memorabilia -> Fan Apparel & Souvenirs -> Football-NFL

Official NFL memorabilia comes in all shapes and sizes, but some very distinctive collectible items are NFL football helmets. Whether you want to collect one from each of the 30 teams, or just your favorite team or teams, it’s a fun way to show your support for a team or the sport in general. Several helmets make a varied collection, with the different colors and team logos. Or helmets from the same team over a period of years can serve as a mini-shrine to your favorite football club.

Football helmets were first worn in 1893 in a game of Army against Navy. One of the players, Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, had been warned that to play again could kill him, and that on the other hand, by playing he risked “instant insanity” should he receive another kick to the head. A shoemaker from Annapolis created the leather helmet to protect him during the game. In 1896, George Barclay, a halfback from Lafayette College, feared that by playing bare-headed, he might develop cauliflower ear. He began wearing a headgear designed by a harness maker that was held on by three thick leather straps.

Football helmets weren’t mandatory until the 1930s. Helmets started out rather flimsy, looking more like aviator caps than protective headgear, but more padding was added as the years passed. During football’s Golden Age in the 20s through the 40s, helmets were made of leather, and usually bore no logos or symbols. Then college and high school players started painting their helmets by hand to make certain players more noticeable on the field. It wasn’t until 1948 when the first logo, a set of Ram’s horns, was painted on a professional’s leather helmet. That practice caught on and eventually helmets were wildly adorned, but not while the leather helmet was the common headgear. After 1950 when helmets were made of hard materials, then their adornment became all the rage.

Sports memorabilia like football helmets are easily found in online auctions like eBay, with so many available at one time it might be hard to choose. If you can narrow down your type of collection before you shop, you’ll probably enjoy the process much more. Decide if you’re going for (and if you have the room!) to collect 30 helmets, one from each team. Or if you’d rather collect helmets from just the American or the National conference, or just one or two favorite teams.

Many collectors opt for mini-helmets that offer the same colors and designs in a small size, and a smaller price tag. And often, one of the more interesting aspects of collecting football helmets is the history involved. Older versions of helmets add interest to any collection and are especially exciting if you’re collecting just your favorite teams. Most teams’ helmets have been redesigned at least once, maybe several times. Autographed football helmets are great additions to a collection, but are best purchased where you can get the autograph in person, or through charity auctions where you’re confident the signature is authentic.

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