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.
Originally posted 2008-10-16 14:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Types of Sports Memorabilia Items to Buy There are a number of different forms that sports memorabilia items can take, including both modern memorabilia and vintage memorabilia. Some of the sports memorabilia items that you can purchase and add to your collection include: - Autographed sports memorabilia items, including balls, gloves, bats, cards and anything else that...... -
Collect Sports Mugs as Memorabilia There are an endless variety of different items that you can collect relating to sports, depending on what your own preferences and interests are. For example, one collection that you may want to consider pursuing is to collect sports mugs as memorabilia. Learning how to collect sports mugs as memorabilia...... -
Build Your Own Sports Memorabilia Collection Some people begin to create a sports memorabilia collection to create a hobby, and other people decide to put together a sports memorabilia collection for the sole purpose of eventually selling their memorabilia off later. Some people, then, specially build up their sports memorabilia collection full of specifically chosen items...... -
Collecting Autographed Sport Memorabilia Are you thinking about collecting autographed sport memorabilia? If you are interested in creating a sports collection of some kind, one of the options that is available to you is collecting autographed sport memorabilia. If you want to add autographed collectibles to your own personal collection, what you may like...... -
Seeking a Sports Memorabilia Appraisal When you are seeking out a sports memorabilia appraisal for an item that you own, there are two ways that you can do it: The first way is to have it done in person using a specialist in the field of sports memorabilia appraisals, and the other way is to......
Related Websites -
Weekly Roundup - College Football Picks Edition Late night tonight, and I have no energy to think of something witty to write here. I would normally come up with something fun to share related to money, but it's approaching midnight, and I need sleep. When all else fails I turn to another subject near and dear to...... -
Premier League Footballers Are Underpaid This post on Premier League Footballers being underpaid was originally written and published on 09/03/2008 on my old site, 'The God Is You', and may conflict with my current philosophy. I BET THAT shocked you! English Premier League footballers, the target of so much jealousy and vitriol because of...... -
Signed Sports Memorabilia People who collect signed sports memorabilia are constantly working to come up with more creative and innovative ways that will allow them to showcase their sports memorabilia collections. The fame associated with collecting sports memorabilia is growing at a high speed on a continuous basis. For example, some collectors prefer...... -
You know you're from Ohio if... You know you're from Ohio if... -You don't think of Florida first when someone mentions Miami. -You snicker when someone's from Tiffin, because you think of the State Hospital. -You think Pro football teams are supposed to wear orange! -You've heard of 3.2% beer. -Schools close for the state basketball...... -
Your Financial Football Team I have mentioned in the past that I'm a huge fan of professional football. My wife calls this Sunday my biggest holiday - and she's right. Your personal finances have a lot more in common with a football team than you might think. Let's take it position by position starting......