Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍
NFL pulls plug on customize face masks
- Thread starter Wolf
- Start date
Shweww..... for a minute there I was worried about the integrity of the game.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
They are allowing them if you get a note from your doctor. Two players have already had them approved.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
It's hard for me to think of a reason for this rule except the league may have a concern over the player playing with "blind spots" or opponents' fingers getting caught and twisted/broken in the small spaces, or in the case of visors, creating reflection into the opponents eyes. With that said, I'm starting more and more to warm up to the idea that face masks should be removed altogether. Have the players think twice before they engage their skulls and faces........without first engaging their brain.
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
Undoubtedly for the same reason they need to have their socks pulled up and their jerseys tucked in. (Please don't ask me why they would need to have their sock pulled up and their jerseys tucked in). (Thanks!)
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
Not really the same thing and there are already a number of available face mask, having a few more designs does nothing to the overall look such as an untucked jersey or socks around your ankles
Showtime100
Got JJ?
Every time I look at those particular face masks I think that very thing. I instinctively retract my fingers to my hand...lol.
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
You don't think those face masks draw more attention than the "standard" ones? You don't think it differentiates those wearing them from those not wearing them (working under the premise of course that "different is bad")
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
Draw more attention? From who? I think it may be an overreaction on your part
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
You asked a question and I gave a facetious answer, and then you get all "well what about this and well what about that" over it. Jeez - look in the mirror and then decide about overreactions.
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
I'm pretty sure I didn't get all "what about this or that" and your overreaction came by way of a face mask being a distraction
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
From speaking to a League official last year , this is what I essentially walked away with. Most of these I had already surmised.:
Rules for jerseys, pants and socks are based on 2 premises.
1)NFL players and team personnel are expected to dress in a professional manner while representing the League.
2)All of these uniform pieces are designed to fit like a second skin over pads and the body parts to minimize the ability for these apparels to be caught on one's own other body parts or your opponents'. This would apply to such examples as cleats on socks or a player being able to pull the top part of the untucked socks when lower limb tackling. The requirements of pants fitting over the socks and specifically fitting over the knee is there because once the pant ends ride up over the knee, they tend to continue to ride up further, eventually releasing the underlying socks. In that the league does not allow easy to tear away jerseys, they expect their jerseys to be skin tight with no loose ends to be grabbed and used to an opponent's advantage either and possibly to the players detriment such as simulating a whiplash in the form of a mini-horse collar. Once the jerseys are no longer properly tightly tucked, the entire jersey tends to become loosened.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
The National Football League says so. That's it. No further reason necessary and the players need to STFU and cash their checks. It's no different from the NFL telling us that we can only bring approved transparent bags in the stadium or any of a countless number of of other sort of pointless rules that exist "because the NFL says so".
The NFL says no facemasks they don't approve. That's all the explanation necessary. Obviously there are justifications for things (re: Cloak's post about the uniform being designed to fit like a second skin) but beyond that these guys work for the NFL and the NFL says you have to wear what they say when you come to work. Sometimes it's silly and sometimes it's annoying but that's what they want so that's how it is.
The NFL says no facemasks they don't approve. That's all the explanation necessary. Obviously there are justifications for things (re: Cloak's post about the uniform being designed to fit like a second skin) but beyond that these guys work for the NFL and the NFL says you have to wear what they say when you come to work. Sometimes it's silly and sometimes it's annoying but that's what they want so that's how it is.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
You want to keep your job? So, I must have it wrong. You aren't really complaining about the dress code here, are you?
BullBlitz
Section 331
Because there are plenty of options, from QB masks with very little iron to line and LB masks with plenty of protection.
The ones they are banning aren't adding any extra protection in the design. These guys are pushing the envelope to try to do anything they can to visually set themselves apart. They have a number and a visible name on their jersey unless they wear their hair so long that it can't be read. That's enough.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Speaking of which, I would have no problem if the NFL would start fining players for not properly strapping up their helmets.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
You're right. This rule "oversight" has never made sense to me in the days of "safety." A helmet coming off leaves that player set up for concussion (hitting the ground or knee or helmet of another player). A loose helmet can lead to the helmet being twisted or pulled back, with a very great risk of neck injuries.
I figured those masks were to keep other players from poking their fingers in to gouge eyes, noses, and mouths.
My oldest son played OL in college for several years, and he said it is an on-going thing in just about every dog-pile. One of his friends came out of a pile with a bloody eye from a defender jamming his finger in it on purpose at the bottom of a pile.
Pretty much what most players know what happens in dog-piles since pee-wee ball.
From the article:
So there are legit reasons to wear a tight pattern mask.
But, the NFL being the anal-retentive naval-gazing league it has become, will not allow any expression that might be considered individuality, and as such, uniformity is paramount for presentation of their product to maximize advertisement revenue.
My oldest son played OL in college for several years, and he said it is an on-going thing in just about every dog-pile. One of his friends came out of a pile with a bloody eye from a defender jamming his finger in it on purpose at the bottom of a pile.
Pretty much what most players know what happens in dog-piles since pee-wee ball.
From the article:
So there are legit reasons to wear a tight pattern mask.
But, the NFL being the anal-retentive naval-gazing league it has become, will not allow any expression that might be considered individuality, and as such, uniformity is paramount for presentation of their product to maximize advertisement revenue.
I don't have a problem with it. The league is going to approve masks that are legit.... they're just being proactive about it before this turns into the NHL & their customized goalie masks.
If we're talking one mask per team (ala the goalie in the NHL) that's one thing, but when you can have 3 or 4 different custom masks on one team.. that's just too much & distracts from the game.
Seriously?
Are you so easily distracted that someone's facemask renders you unable to focus?If the NFL was truly concerned with "distractions" away from the GAME itself, they would not have beautiful women in hot pants on the sidelines.
No, this facemask issue is the typical image-first agenda by the NFL. But hey, it is their league, they can do what they want. However, they are not above criticism for those decisions.
If the goal is to reduce CTE, this would accomplish that goal.
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
Seriously?
If the NFL was truly concerned with "distractions" away from the GAME itself, they would not have beautiful women in hot pants on the sidelines.
No, this facemask issue is the typical image-first agenda by the NFL. But hey, it is their league, they can do what they want. However, they are not above criticism for those decisions.
What I find more distracting is all the damn pink they decide to wear although Im not sure it impacts the game at all
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
And because you think its enough it should be enough? Not the people actually playing the game?
It doesnt set anyone apart anymore than hairstyle under a helmet
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
Seriously?
If the NFL was truly concerned with "distractions" away from the GAME itself, they would not have beautiful women in hot pants on the sidelines.
No, this facemask issue is the typical image-first agenda by the NFL. But hey, it is their league, they can do what they want. However, they are not above criticism for those decisions.
this is what I think as well. All the uniforms and helmuts are the same, so except for the facemasks and some of their shoes, they all look the same. I just don't see any problem with players having custom facemasks (as long as they are SAFETY approved).
The NFL should focus on other things that might ruin their image. Like local TV stations that can't ****ing broacast a simple ****ing preseason game.
I'll bet you want to ban QB audibles also because that might lead to individual thinking.
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
ugh, I agree. While it is certainly a worthy cause, I think they have gone above and beyond "awareness" and now fall into the pit of pandering.
So, NFL, facemasks = distraction, but everything pink = awareness.
Agree completely with both points.
That ABC broadcast was beyond horrible. Excruciating and frustrating and every other negative -ing all rolled into one. It was painful to even try to watch.
eriadoc
Texan-American
Well, I don't think any player has been that melodramatic about the facemask thing, have they? Either way, people do that with ties all the time. I did several years ago. I have a job now where I wear jeans and a t-shirt to work, and the only thing I sacrificed was the tie. Better career, better people, better job. Of course, the NFL has a monopoly, so they get to dictate.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Seems like the melodrama is all by the fans. This is a guat issue which doesn't make the NFL the evil empire nor the players prima donnas. There is a medical exception.
Last edited:
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Evidently, the League has found that most of these custom masks are designed to make a player "stand out" or appear more "ominous." The ban of such masks seem to follow the trend of banning excessive celebration. It appears the NFL prefers the players to remain faceless numbers on jerseys. The medical exceptions such as with Canty and Justin will still be recognized.
Justin's reason was that opponents were grabbing his facemask and twisting it knowing that he had a neck issue.
Justin's reason was that opponents were grabbing his facemask and twisting it knowing that he had a neck issue.
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
If anything it only stands out because a select few are approved for medical reasons. If you opended it up to more people it wouldnt stand out. I also chuckled about players being more ominous
BullBlitz
Section 331
First, the LEAGUE thinks it's enough. I happen to agree.
Second, the league happens to allow hair that hangs halfway down players' backs. I happen to disagree. But, I will still watch.
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
BullBlitz
Section 331
Code:
No. Occasionally it's an obstacle when trying to read names on jersies, especially in the preseason when there are so many new players, and with opposing teams during the regular season. Why? Is it an attraction to you?
2012Champs
Hall of Fame
both are a total nonevent for me as I am watching the game rather than the facemask design or the hair of a player
BullBlitz
Section 331
Congratulations on your high level of achievement.