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The Birth of the Browns Facemask

browns facemask splash

By Phil Hecken

I’ve never been a “helmet” guy, I’ll be the first to confess that. Honestly, I can’t tell the difference between a Riddell and a Schutt, much less the various models and straps and masks. But I do love the history of the NFL, and anytime I can learn something new (which is quite often), I’m grateful for the opportunity. Now, I was vaguely familiar with the “history” of the facemask, having really first been introduced to the topic with this little primer, written by some guy named Lukas a half-dozen years ago. And I ever so vaguely remembered something about the Cleveland Browns being the first team to make use of the facemask (although they did not introduce it into the league).

Shortly after I got my Twitter (@PhilHecken) account, I began to be followed by @sportsdesign, who identified himself simply as “Browns Designer.” Intrigued, I immediately began following his tweets. Within days, some incredible old school Browns photographs began to be tweeted, so after a few exchanged tweets (I’m still not altogether with the lexicon of the Twitterer), I decided a more formal introduction was needed.

It turns out the man on the other side of @sportsdesign is Chris Modarelli, and lets just say he’s got quite the treasure trove of Browns-related information and photographs. And I’m sure this will be the first of several articles which will feature Chris. After discussing some topics, it was decided that Chris would bring us a bit more in-depth information on the birth of the facemask on the Browns in the NFL, replete with several excellent historical photographs. So, without further ado, let me introduce you fine readers to Chris, who is kind enough to bring us this little ditty:

The Browns & The Facemask
By Chris Modarelli

The Cleveland Browns helmet is called boring by some and a classic by others. Through the years the Browns helmet has gone through some changes, most not drastic enough to make you think twice. Although the original helmet was once solid white, (they began to introduce a solid orange helmet for night games in the early 1950’s. The helmet stripe pattern has changed slightly over the years, numbers were added to the sides for a few years and the facemask has gone from grey to white, back to grey again. However, it is the facemask itself, which is the real story of the Cleveland Browns helmet.

With all the talk this past season about concussions and player safety, it’s easy to forget that players used to play football with leather helmets. In this day and age of visors and multi-bar facemasks, I’ve heard it suggested that maybe if we went back to those early days of the NFL, player collisions wouldn’t be so violent. Players would be less likely to instigate helmet-to-helmet contact if they were wearing a leather helmet without a facemask to protect themselves. Perhaps, but football is a violent game and back then an open helmet was an invitation for violence.

It was during one such game in 1953 against the San Francisco 49ers, that linebacker Art Michalik’s late hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Otto Graham would lead to the development of the facemask. The hit came minutes before halftime and caused Graham to require stitches on the inside of his mouth. “I had this big gash on my mouth and they gave me 15 stitches, but I wanted to play,” Graham said.

In an effort to protect his star quarterback in the second half, coach Paul Brown worked with equipment manager Leo Murphy to quickly come up with a device that would offer protection to Graham’s mouth and allow him to finish the game. Graham finished the game by completing 9 of 10 passes in the second half to lead a Browns comeback and secure a 23-20 victory. He also secured a place in history as the player who was the inspiration for a permanent facemask.

Based on Otto Graham’s improvised mask, Riddell, the helmet manufacturer, made the very first Lucite mask. It was the first mask that was designed to attach to a helmet. Crude facemasks had existed prior to this, but they where only meant to offer protection for healing injuries and had to be tied onto helmets after making holes to accommodate them. The new Lucite mask was used by the Browns later in the 1953 season and is considered the first official facemask. Unfortunately, the Lucite masks could become brittle in cold weather and would sometimes shatter on impact.

Paul Brown went back to Riddell at the end of the 1953 season and described a revised facemask concept to their technical consultant: “Give me something that will fit across the front of a helmet and will be about as big as my little finger, with tensile strength. I want it so it can withstand a stray foot, or a deliberately thrown fist or elbow, and take away the inclination to punch someone. But keep it light enough to weigh less than an ounce.”

Based on Paul Brown’s description, Riddell came up with a single gray bar made of rubber and plastic. Brown soon mandated facemasks for all of his players. The other teams eventually followed, as they did with the Lucite facemask, and this first mass-produced facemask became standard in the NFL over the next few seasons.

Eventually multiple bars were introduced offering even more protection, but the single-bar facemask continued to be used by several die-hard players. Punter Scott Player, who was grandfathered in after the single-bar facemask was banned in 2004, was the last NFL player to wear the facemask in 2007. It was so loosely attached to his helmet that he would swing the bar down completely when punting. It is ironic and also very fitting that the last NFL team Scott Player played for was the team that inspired the single-bar facemask in the first place ”“ the Cleveland Browns.

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Thank you Chris. Great story, and one that I’m not sure too many people know, at least not in that depth. Yet another proof of the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

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Ninja Powers

Matt Powers’ ASG Shoe Revue

Who is that masked ninja sporting the MOTB (that’s “Mark Of The Beast” for the uninitiated)? Why, it’s none other than Uni Watch’s own favorite sneakerhead, Matt Powers, who is here to bring us his annual NBA All-Star Game sneaker preview/review. That’s right, the post you’ve all been waiting for all year long is finally here. So, let’s get right to it. Here’s Matt:

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Packers and Steelers? Nope! The Super Bowl of Sneakers is this coming Sunday at the Staples Center In LA. For the sneakerhead community, this is when and where the big brands break out their extra special super-duper gear. Growing up, my eyes would be glued to the tube as players like MJ and Sir Charles would preview their playoff edition kicks.

Times were different then. Back in the day there were no “The East” or “The West” uniforms. Players represented the teams that they were chosen from, and we liked it that way.

Well, without much further ado:

Here’s a prediction as to what the All Stars will be wearing:

West Roster

–Starters–

Carmelo Anthony (Jordan Brand–Melo M7): Melo will be wearing a special version of the shoes that he has been wearing all season. Perhaps, Nike could begin making them in Knicks colors as a bit of motivation. All Star prediction.

Kobe Bryant (Nike–Kobe VI): The Black Mamba will be wearing the special Western All Star version of his Zoom Kobe VI, which has already been released in a multitude of colorways. Along with Lebron James and Kevin Durant, their shoes will feature lenticular pods and holograms on the tongue which are designed to make the player seem as if he is that much faster. All Star prediction

Chris Paul (Jordan Brand–CP3 IV): CP3 will be wearing the AS version of the JB kicks that he has been wearing all season. In the past, he has strayed from plans and worn the flagship Jordans. All Star prediction.

Kevin Durant (Nike–KDIII): The First time All Star will be wearing his very popular KDIII, another example of the Motion pod group. All Star prediction.

Yao Ming (Reebok–Omni Pump?): Hey, if I could have a billion countrymen vote for me, maybe I would be starting too! This is what he will probably be wearing this Sunday. All Star prediction.

–Reserves–

Tim Duncan (Adidas–Big Fundamental): Much like the game of “the big fundamental”, the shoes he wears are very pedestrian, yet effective. Big man shoes are never sexy, sorry! Look for a red version of his Frankenstein boots. He should have stuck with Nike and the Total Foamposite Max. All Star prediction.

Manu Ginobili (Nike–Air Max Closer IV, Air Max Fly By, Air Max 360 BB): Manu has been wearing the Air Max Fly By as well as a Player Exclusive pair of the Air Max Closer. If I were a betting man, I would guess that he will be wearing the Air Max 360 BB which has flown under the radar. All Star prediction.

Pau Gasol (Nike–Hyperdunk 2010): Gasol has worn the Hyperdunks exclusively this year in both home and road colors. Look for him to either break out Red HD’s or the Air Max 360 BB in his home gym. All Star prediction.

Blake Griffin (Nike–Air Max Fly By): I’m guessing that we’ll all get a good glimpse on what this kid is wearing considering that they’ll so often be at eye-level. The Air Max Fly By has been his shoe-du-jour of late, but can see him going with the AM360BB as well. All Star prediction.

Kevin Love (Peak): Love is in the stable of NBA players who have decided to join the Chinese company Peak alongside Shane Battier and Jason Kidd. Don’t know much about them, don’t care to. If they could help me to pull down rebounds like Moses Malone maybe I’d think about wearing them! He will most likely wear a pair similar to the PE’s that the Warriors Dorell Wright wears. All Star prediction.

Dirk Nowitzki (Nike–Hyperdunk 2010): Dirk, like Gasol has been wearing the HD all season, and will likely break out a very tame, red based pair for the ASG. All Star prediction.

Russell Westbrook (Nike–Air Max Fly By): This ASG newcomer has been rocking the AMFB in Thunder colors, so look for him to don a red edition for The West squad or possibly go with the stock AM360BB. All Star prediction.

Deron Williams (Nike–Air Max Fly By): As of late, the point guard extraordinaire has been wearing the AMFB in Jazz colors. In the past, he has been a Hyperdunk fellow whose color combinations never disappoint, so I am looking forward to what he shows up in this Sunday. All Star prediction.

East Roster

–Starters–

Lebron James (Nike–Air Max Lebron 8): He brought his wonderful shoes to South Beach as well. Another shoe that is widely produced in many special colorways, the Lebron 8 will feature the fast pod and a hologram on the tongue. The 8 is much more of a big man shoe than his previous sigs, thus it doesn’t interest me at 5’10” too much. All Star prediction.

Amar’e Stoudemire (Nike–Air Zoom Huarache TR, Hyperfuse, Air Max Fly By): My favorite non-specific basketball shoe of the season so far has been the revamped Bo Jackson that Amar’e Stroudemire has been wearing. Besides the fact that he has single-handedly revived basketball in NY, his choice of kicks has been interesting. From the Durants to the Hyperfuse and the AMFB, the Knicks colorways with his logo are always a treat. I would love to see him in the Air Max 360 BB this Sunday, considering that is what he once wore almost exclusively in Phoenix. All Star prediction.

Dwyane Wade (Jordan Brand–Air Jordan 2011): DWade has become the face of Jordan Brand. He will be wearing the AJ2011 in a blue colorway. Since Christmas day, he has been wearing similar versions to match both his home and road uniforms. Jordan purists/sneakerheads have been praising the look of this shoe for the obvious nod to the beloved AJ XI. All Star prediction.

Derrick Rose (Adidas –adiZero Rose 1.5): Not as cool as the TS Heat Check or anything that Raymond Felton wears but pretty neat nonetheless. This guy could wear Jimmy Choos and still light it up. All Star prediction.

Dwight Howard (Adidas–Super Beast East): Howard”¦big man”¦shoes with support”¦ a few ASG bells and whistles”¦doesn’t do it for me. Perhaps if I was his size, but alas I’m not. All Star prediction.

–Reserves–

Ray Allen (Jordan Brand–Air Jordan 2011, Evolution 85): Newly crowned, King of the three, Mr. Shuttlesworth has been with the Jordan Brand for some time now. He has worn a variety of models of late, including a PE version of the XIII, the Evolution 85, as well as the XI and IX in a bit of tomfoolery. He will most likely be wearing the AJ2011 along with Mr. Wade. All Star prediction.

Chris Bosh (Nike–Nike Air Max Hyperdunk 2010): Being a big man, Bosh follows suit and keeps his shoe choices pretty close to the vest. This season , he has been wearing an air max version of the popular Hyperdunk. Look to Bosh to wear my All Star prediction.

Kevin Garnett (Anta–KG1 ASG): KG is somewhat of a sneaker mercenary. Mind you, he’s no Gilbert Arenas but he’s got potential. First, he was with Nike wearing very iconic shoes. Then he left for the three stripes and we just sighed. Then, when he left the Dassler brand and chose to sign with Chinese Anta, we sat scratching our heads. I am not the first and definitely the last to say that these shoes are actually pretty cool. Anta understands the special edition craze and has outfitted Garnett in some great shoes this season. The kicker is the forefoot Velcro strap which makes any shoe a keeper, in my book and also means that every one of the Boston big three is wearing a shoe with them. All Star prediction.

Al Horford (Nike–Air Max Fly By): This lunch-pail player has been spotted wearing the AMFB in both home and road colors and probably won’t hit us with too much of a surprise this Sunday. All Star prediction.

Joe Johnson (Jordan Brand –Evolution 85, Air Jordan 2011): Another JB guy, JJ will most likely be sportin’ a pair of the AJ 2011 as well although, he too has been wearing the Evolution 85 in the wonderful Valentine’s edition. All Star prediction.

Paul Pierce (Nike–Air Legacy 2): One would think that a Paul Pierce signature shoe would appeal to the masses and sell well. If so, one would be mistaken. Unless of course, you wear a size 6.5 or below. For years, Nike has maddeningly refused to release the Pierce shoes for adults. This has got to stop because, I for one LOVE his shoes. Look for a blue version of his latest kicks this Sunday. All Star prediction.

Rajon Rondo (Nike–Hyperfuse, Air Zoom Kobe VI): One of the more interesting personalities in the league right now, Rondo has been wearing home and road versions of Nike’s Hyperfuse since last year’s playoff run. However, he has been spotted wearing Kobe’s sig in the Rice HS makeup. Look for him to go with a blue ASG version of the Hyperfuse or the AM360BB. All Star prediction.

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And thank you Matt. We always enjoy the annual ASG preview. If only the game can be as good as your research.

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Benchies Header

Benchies

Of course, we have football and basketball today, so of course today’s Benchies is about … hockey:

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d-puck ALT 2

And of course, here is the full size version. Enjoy!

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all sport uni tweaks

Uni Tweaks

Lots and lots of tweaks keep pouring in, so obviously this is a popular feature. A bunch new to get to today. If you have a tweak, change or concept for any sport, send them my way.

Remember, if possible, try to keep your descriptions to ~50 words (give or take) per tweak. You guys have been great a keeping to that, and it’s much appreciated!

Got a nice of tweaks today…so lets get right into it:

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Starting off the show is Bryan Hathaway, who opens with this updated FSU Seminole football concept:

Ok.. so this is version 2.0 of my design for new every game uniforms. I had numerous and numerous good responses from the first time, however people didnt read and couldnt tell what the difference in them was.. so i did a little graphic with a table. Again ***Disclaimer*** I think we have the best unis in college football. However, I think they could use a tad bit of an upgrade. We arent alabama we havent had the same uniforms for years, ours have gone through numerous changes and tweaks.. and this is just the same. Enjoy, and feedback is appreciated. I’m also working on a throw back design as well. stay tuned.

1. The Pro Combat Feather design shoulder pads which are consistant with the Nike Pro Combat design.

2. FSU logo n the sleaves. Old school people arent going to like the number being removed… but i designed it, and i like it.

3. Number gone back to more of a block style rather than the rounded look now.

4. Seminole Head moved from side to front of pants.

5. Feather added to side of pants.

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Next up is Dan Taylor who has a new look for the T-wolves. Jim Vilk would be proud:

Here is my idea for a new and improved Wolves jersey. its lo-Tech, but awesome. It’ll be next years must have item when the wolves are on their way to a perfect season in these stylish new jerseys.

-Dan Taylor

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Moving along, we have Justin Kline, who isn’t quite happy with the new Tampa Bay Lightning kit:

Hi I’m Justin Kline, and after seeing the new Lightning unis I felt that there was room for some improvement. To bring a little more energy to the new look, I made a few tweaks here and there, adding extra striping and bringing back the black and silver into the color scheme. Without it, they just look like the Maple Leafs with talent.

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And closing out the tweak show today is TJ Cunniff, who has four NFL (well, three plus the “Gamblers”) for us:

Rams — Used the current colors with the old unis And just for fun, gave them about 500 combinations because there is always a team in the league that does

Texans — Darkened the blue, tweaked the shoulder stripes and changed the helmet to white and used another logo

Seahawks — got rid of the god-awful green and used just one blue and used a lot of gray

Gamblers — Got bored and created a new team — colors are based on the Las Vegas city flag Named Gamblers because what else are you gonna name a team from Vegas

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And that will do it for this week’s tweak show. Check back next weekend for more.

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NBA/

Because this will be…

…probably the only photo ever of Bieber on Uni Watch…that’s why.

So, the Celebrity & the Rookie/Sophomore game was played last night, and really, who cares? But…the Rooks/Sophs were actually wearing some pretty interesting socks. They’re a little difficult to make out here in this portrait, but it looked like almost each player was wearing socks with some kind of “checkerboard” pattern on them. Depending on the sneaker colorway, the socks’ colors varied as well. They were almost all awful. Actually, the socks by themselves don’t seem too bad — but when combined with the garish sneakers they didn’t look so hot. Sideshow Craig Sager held up a couple pairs, but they’re not on the NBA store site, so I’m not sure where they came from. Wonder if the regular ASG will have more of the same.

UPDATE: More views of the socks here, here, and here.

But, it was good to see that Dirk Nowitzki can still pass the rock and Scottie Pippen can still take someone to school.

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OK, boys and girls — that’s a wrap for today’s post. Webmaster John Ekdahl will take the reins tomorrow as he brings us a guide to the Daytona 500, and Paul will be back for Presidents’ Day on Monday. Special thanks to Chris Modarelli for that wonderful bit on the birth of the Browns facemask, and Matt for the ASG rundown. No “Colorize This!” for this week, but there will be a special one next weekend — I’ve already received one fantastic colorization (from George Chilvers, natch) of “The Single Most Amazingly Awesome Photo in the History of Ever”, but I’d love to see a few more of you try your skills at it.

Everyone have a fantastic Saturday and a great long weekend. See ya next Saturday!

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I want to live in the alternate universe where that 1985 World Series pennant hangs on every Toronto fan’s wall. Sox fans have Bucky Effing Dent, we have Jim Effing Sundberg. — “Ben G.”

 
  
 
Comments (58)

    Good morning all…the absoute easiest way to tell a SChitt from anay other brand of helmet is the 8 circular holes on the top of the helmet…crown vents.

    link

    It’s a little more tough with the DNA, except for the longer length of the horizontal bars:

    link

    and Ion:

    link

    But they are so unique looking that

    Ah, Matt, you never disappoint.

    And I’m not referring to the Schutt “typo” here. Two of the five links I clicked on in your new shoe review were bogus.

    The Browns & The Facemask piece from Chris Modarelli was terrific. More please.

    AS for today’s quote – …and Yankees fans have Boston effing Hypocrites.

    -30-

    Awesome stories today fellas.

    The first link about the checkered socks in the “Because it will be…” section is saying access denied.

    works for me, but you might need a twitter account (although i didn’t think one did) to see it

    Great post today… kind of fitting that the single bar started and ended with the Browns… interesting tidbit I’d never known before.

    Couple things from a fellow sneaker head….

    My money is on Kobe wearing his special 3D sneakers:
    link

    And what’s with all the yellow sneakers?? did I miss something?

    I really like the 3D Kobes but highly doubt that he’s not gonna wear the red AS makeup.

    Most of the Nike guys in the Rookie/Sophomore game with the Air Max Fly By in Team specific colorways which would lead me to believe that the same will be done tomorrow, however the AM360BB hasn’t had an ounce of advertising which would lelad me to believe that they’ll be broken oit tomorrow by anyone without a sig shoe.

    I think you’re right, was just watching a Kobe interview on Conan where he basically laughed at them and said he’d never wear them haha

    these are awful

    seriously…i know i’m not a sneakerhead, (and even i’ll admit to liking some of what matt showed us) — but those 3D things are just … horrible

    I believe I was in 7th grade when those foamposites came out. All my buddies on our basketball team had them. I was a rebel and wore these…
    link

    And something interesting…during the pregame warmups against the Lakers last week, Ray Allen wore one Air Jordan IX Premio and one Air Jordan XI PE.

    link

    He then changed into Celtics XIII’s for the game.

    link

    One theory is that he wore the 9 and 11…to match his number 20!

    I would love to get the story on that one!

    Two other beauties that are favorites of mine are the

    Flightposite 1, made popular by Ricky Moore of UCONN against Duke in the 98 Final and KG:

    link

    And the kicks I wear every time I play indoors, the Air Zoom Flight 95, worn by Jason Kidd:

    link

    Facemasks and sneakers…two of my favorite topics.

    Back in the mid 70’s I wore a single bar facemask on my practice helmet. It was a 60’s era suspension model helemt, the kind with the sides flaired out, like the Otto Gramham is wearing in the photo against the Eagles. I should’ve kept that helmet, since by 1975 is was quite outdated. Man am I old!

    I wore a Ridell suspension helmet through most of my football playing days (1970-1979). At the time, it was the best available tech. I think I remember our HS team starting to get “air cell” helmets (can’t remember the brand) in about ’77. The equipment coach had to go around with a little squeeze-bulb pump and adjust the interior padding to your head. I wouldn’t get my own air helmet until my Sr. year. I have to admit, it was much more comfortable than my leather and web-strap Ridell.

    Re: Facemasks

    My recently departed Dad played HS and college football in the pre-facemask era. He told me that the only time guys would get facemasks was when they had a broken nose or laceration. The only problem was that (according to him), there was no foul at that time for facemasking. Therefore, the facemask became a big handle for the defense to throw you around with. He said many of his teammates with masks and injuries would be begging to have their facemasks removed early in the 1st quarter…they were being crucified by the defense on every play due to the facemask. I miss my Dad.

    Oh…and I still have my Ridell helmet! I also have an older helmet from my HS that was pretty snazzy. It is a clear plastic helmet that’s striped/painted on the INSIDE. I remember that was what we all thought was just the coolest thing ever…but they were all leaving active service, having been bought after the ’73 Louisiana State Championship when our program was very flush with funding.

    My dad was at that game when Otto got his jaw broke vs the 49ers.

    He was a lifelong Steeler fan from SW Pa but moved to NE Ohio for work in the late 40’s.

    He had a seat close to the field that day and told us how he could remember hearing the pads clashing and crashing in the game.

    Awesome article today.

    Saw this pic of Magic and noticed that his uniform doesn’t match – purple top and blue shorts. Is that planned or bad lighting or what. Looks horrible.

    link

    That was a common problem in the 80’s. Look at some of the Sports Illustrated covers with the Lakers in road uniforms and you’ll see it was par for the course.

    For the record, Deron Williams usually wears a PE of the Hyperfuse, not the Air Max Fly By. There may have been a few of the ~50 games where he wore the AMFB, but even in the picture you linked to he’s wearing one of his Hyperfuse colorways.

    Thanks, Phil, for the post. That Lucite bar looks like it could do a wicked snag.

    Paul Brown was quite the innovator. People forget that.

    As far as the Browns go, basically, their uniform was as good as it got. Love the orange helmet w/ the brown/white/brown stripe. But gimme the white face mask link the gray looks dingy.

    For many years the orange/brown/orange stripe on the pants drove me daffy. I’ve come around and love it. Just return to the full set of stripes on the sleeves and socks.

    While searching for something, anything, that might get Phil all wadded up, I came across this nice photo. Probably airbrushed, but still interesting….check out the Pilots/Brewers hat.

    link

    not really related to today’s post but.

    I need help with a DIY project.

    I haven’t worn my Favre jersey since the Packers fell behind 17-0 in last year’s wildcard round (they turned the game around at that point, also I put it on right about the time the Packers fell apart in the NFC championship game back in the 08 playoffs). I’m looking to retire it, at least until he’s mended his relationship with GB (only a matter of time).

    I’m wanting to replace it with an Aaron Rodgers jersey (home), but I don’t want just a replica, I’d prefer the real deal. Catch is the cost, and the bootleg ones are so obvious (not only are the numbers overly shiny, the jerseys aren’t always the correct shade of green, and the stripes are more yellow than “gold”).

    How true would a modified replica be to the real thing if I were to add cuffs, and apply tackle-twill lettering/numbering? I’m okay with the material used in the replicas, I’m mainly trying to replicate the look of the authentic version.

    It never ceases to amuse me how someone who hasn’t won a title goes around calling himself “King James”.

    Exactly.

    Matt, nice work. It inspired me to do a 5&1 for the ASG shoes.

    5. Chris Paul link

    4. Russell Westbrook link

    3. Tim Duncan link

    2. Kevin Love (as shown by Dorell Wright) link

    1. Derrick Rose link

    And a tie for the bad one, between Kobe link and LeGone. link

    He did have that nickname when he entered the draft, and he did win a title, not an NBA title but a title none the less.

    I didn’t know of the last single bar face mask but I [i]have[/i] gotten faced in a singles bar.

    By the way, last player NOT to wear a facemask, WR Tommy McDonald, who finished his career in 1968 with, you guessed it, the Browns.

    I should say last position player to not wear a facemask. I believe Mike Weger wore a helmet without one while holding for extra points and FGs with the Lions in the early 70s. Might be Weger, might be Wayne Rasmussen.

    “Next up is Dan Taylor who has a new look for the T-wolves. Jim Vilk would be proud”

    Yes I would. Nice job, Dan, and all the other tweakers, too.

    So I take it Rose was wearing the black uni to to minimize the clashing with those shoes because I noticed that Taj Gibson and Steve Kerr were link in that Shooting Stars deal.

    The warrior head on the Seminoles tweak looks like hes staring at the players crotch. The only tweaks I’d give to my Noles is getting rid of the helmet stickers, wearing black shoes, and pulling the socks up to the pants. GO NOLES!

    Really cool history on the facemask. Didn’t know it was because of the Cleveland Browns, but I wasn’t surprised finding out it was because it was of an injury by a star player.

    Well, I found myself talking to one of the baseball coaches of the junior college where my wife teaches, Three Rivers College, and was greeted with some great news. They are dumping jammy pants and going high cuffed this year. Not only that, they are going with stirrups. Not only that, they are putting stripes on them. Not only that, they are also putting their 3R logo on it too. He promised me a pair. I demanded at least 5. We’ll see what they look like. Colors are Black and Gold (more athletic gold than vegas gold but school colors seem to be trending toward vegas so again, we’ll see).

    The same as somebody else talked about what a fantastic blog this is. Generally I dont make an effort with a remark however , for your effort and hard work you will get 1. Good job

    I heard one time that a steel company based in Cleveland once proposed that the Browns where the “steelmark” logo on their helmets. When the team refused, the company proposed the idea to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the team has been wearing it on their helmets ever since. I’m not sure how true that story is and, unfortunately, I can’t remember where I heard it.

Comments are closed.