Evolution of the Football Helmet

The First Football Helmet

Mar 1, 1893

Past time sports: history of football helmet
The football helmet was first worn in the 1893 Army-Navy game. Offering almost no protection, It was made by an Annapolis shoemaker for Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves. He claimed he would go insane if he took another kick to the head. It offered the first type of head protection in the NFL.

The First Painted Helmet

Mar 5, 1948

Helmet Hut
Former Los Angelos Rams running back Fred Gehrke painted the Rams logo on his leather helmet after feeling the leather helmets were too bland.

The First Plastic Helmets

Mar 5, 1950

The Evolution of the Football Helmet
They often cracked and offered minimal protection, causing a short ban from the NFL. But John Riddell worked with George Halas to make a safer plastic helmet. They were used again.

The First Helmet With a Facemask

Mar 5, 1953

Evolution of Football Helmets
The facemask was a single bar or two designed to lessen the impact to the jaw on big hits. First worn by Brown's QB Otto Graham after a jaw injury during a game.

The First Radio Helmets

Mar 5, 1956

The Evolution of the Football HelmetFirst used by the Cleveland Browns to communicate better with the quaterback. It made it easier to coordinate plays.

Helmets Recieved More Padding

Mar 5, 1970

Evolution of the Football Helmet
More padding was introduced to cushion hits to the head.

The Modern Facemask

Mar 5, 1980

Football Facemask History.Multiple bars and rows of bars added to improve protection of the face.