Top 20 Obscure Football Helmets

Before beginning my list, I’d first like to thank The Helmet Project for doing such an amazing archiving job and providing these images. Thanks! Here’s the link, highly recommended: http://www.nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/.

With that being said, here are the top 20:

20.  California Redwoods: This team is from the newly formed UFL, and has moved to Sacramento and will be changing their name to something else.  Frankly, they’re just on this list because I find it a bit funny that even their helmet design looks environmentally friendly.  Sort of the polar opposite of the Steelers.

19.  Cal State Northridge: The helmet has a sword on it and a letter that appears as though it was sliced into the helmet by the sword.  It’s like the Zorro of football helmets.

18.  Long Beach State: I think it’s safe to say that most things associated with Long Beach State and/or Football are cool.  This helmet is one of them.

17.  Barcelona Dragons: The best helmet in NFL Europe (or at least it was)!

16.  New Jersey Generals: A five star helmet for a five star USFL team!

15.  San Antonio Gunslingers:  This helmet made the list if only for the little cartoon gunslinger guy that is a part of the design.

14.  Washington Federals: This appears to be the most Washington, DC-looking design I’ve ever seen.  If we add red and blue and get rid of the green, then that’s about as federal of a helmet as you can get, and arguably a new US Postal Service logo.

13.  Sacramento Surge: I don’t know where they got this color scheme, but it must have been in the 1980s.  Notably, this team played in the “World League of American Football.”

12.  Sacramento State Hornets: Another Sac team, another cool design.  But, of course, I am partial to these plain designs, so I’m a bit biased.

11.  Orlando Rage – Straight from the XFL, that angry red incredible hulk really will intimidate opponents.

10.  University of the Pacific: That ain’t Princeton!  That’s a team from Stockton whose school is known for its terrific pharmacy program.

9.  UC Santa Barbara:  Of the now defunct California teams, this helmet design has to be one of my favorites for both simplicity and uniqueness.  It also seems to fit the school quite well.  Gauchos!

8.  Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks: It appears this team included a visual reference (or two?  or more?) to the “Research Triangle” region that they are located in.  While not quite the most endearing helmet design, I could see myself rooting for this team either due to their enthusiastic, visual shout out to their region or their use of Christmas colors on their uniforms.

7.  New York-New Jersey Knights:  Best. Logo.  Evaaaaaar!

6.  Santa Clara:  Not USC, but SCU!

5.  Shippensburg – The college is named Shippensburg.  The logo?  A ship.  Need I say more?

4.  UC Berkeley: The classic Cal helmet.  I say, bring it back.

3.  College of San Mateo: This helmet reminds me of the ESPN logo, and because it’s one of my local community colleges, and has really nice views (all things I like, really), it makes this list.

2.  University of La Verne: The U!!!….of La Verne!!

1.  Sonoma State: Of course, this one is number 1.  I mean, we probably will have an alum in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in short order.

Winter Olympics Recap, Sort Of

With the arrival of the XXIIVMXwhatever Winter Olympiad came a great deal of excitement this year.  Perhaps it is simply because I actually had the time to watch the games somehow, or that I was determined to figure out curling, or that chants of “U-S-A!  U-S-A!” are just my thing.  Or maybe it’s merely because I find Katherine Reutter incredibly attractive.  Regardless, the excitement was there.

Bobsledding

I would like to begin with a discussion of what I believe to be uniforms that are up there with the best uniforms in sports history, and continue into a discussion of some awesome sports uniforms from history.  Here are the epic bobsledding uniforms of these Olympics:

SO epic.  Designed in the classic “Evel Knievel” style, the uniforms of the US bobsledding team are my pick for the greatest uniforms of the olympics.  They’ve got stars, stripes, and awesome.  That’s everything you need.  Along with a badass bobsled named “Night Train,” of course.  Not to mention, the Evel Knievel style uniforms perfectly fit the image and arguably persona of the pilot of the US-1 bobsled, Steve Holcomb.

The man looked like either a trucker or a biker, or perhaps an offensive lineman.  But somehow he has the skills to pilot a SLED at about 95 miles per hour.  For an Olympic gold medal.  With style.  Congratulations, United States of America bobsled team!

Now, let us look at some baseball uniforms, starting with Bay Area teams:

As well, the baseball world has given other classics, including the timeless Yankee pinstripes,

the White Sox uniforms of the 1980s

the modern marvel of the Marlins’ aqua blue,

this version of the Padres’ uniforms:

and a couple more favorites:

One might also consider the wonders of the world of football.  Indeed, just this past season we were left to consider the awe of neon green jerseys, thanks to our friends I Seattle.  I rate these jerseys “BOOOOOO!!!!”

We also have the New England Patriots of the 1980s to thank for one of the greatest helmet designs of all time.

Arguably, however, the crazier looking Patriot in their old logo is even better:

Moving along, we must of course stop to consider the timeless uniforms of the NFL, including the classic 49ers, Bears, Steelers, and Packers.

And, just to make sure I do not forget, the old Seahawks, Oilers, L.A. Rams, and Falcons:

Arriving now at basketball, we might consider the jersey of the Chicago Bulls of the Michael Jordan Era as a top uniform for the history of basketball.  But consider the Lakers, Celtics, and Jazz (my favorite from the 1990s at least) as well.

It would also be foolish to forget the greatest basketball jersey of all time – “The City,” by the Golden State Warriors.,

I would also note that I believe that to be the Cow Palace lurking in the background of that picture of Rick Barry.

Let us now consider hockey.  Obviously, the sharks have a fantastic jersey and mascot.

But, let us not forget the timeless Oilers jersey, made famous by Wayne Gretzky

Nor let us forget the Hartford Whalers of old!

Now I am aware that this entire section of this post went far off topic and probably excluded many great uniforms.  But it’s my blog, so, to quote Eric Cartman, I’ll do what I want!  But seriously, if you have any great uniform requests, just comment and I’ll try and add it here.  Also, feel free to comment on my own favorites.  Notably, I didn’t care to search out college uniforms for this.

USA Hockey

Since we are on the subject of classic and/or awesome uniforms, I must be sure to mention the most classic Olympic uniform of them all – that of the United States men’s hockey team.

Obviously, I am referring to these uniforms due to the famous “Miracle on Ice” team of 1980.  And although this year’s men’s hockey team was not the legendary team that defeated the Soviets and squeaked by the Finns for a gold medal, they nonetheless are worthy of great discussion.  They earned a stunning victory over the highly favored Canadians in the preliminary round, and were able to score with a pulled goalie and about 24 seconds left to take the Canadians to overtime in the gold medal game.

Furthermore, Brian Miller had one of the most badass goalie helmet designs ever.

Though sadly they came up short, the United States men’s hockey team showed heart, and grit, in their efforts.  Here’s to you guys!

Katherine Reutter

Speaking of good looking and cool, it’s high time I mention Katherine Reutter.  Not only did this woman win a silver medal and a bronze medal, but she looked damn good doing it.  See below:

Now, aside from her brilliant performance to win that silver medal, Ms. Reutter is gorgeous.  I was won over long ago, after seeing her appear on the Colbert Report, but one particular moment she had during these Olympics was especially endearing.  The intensity of her silver medal race was followed by the oh-so-cute, girly scream, of “Eeeeeeeeeeee!!” after crossing the line, and was perhaps the cutest, sexiest thing I have ever seen watching sports, ever.  If, by some chance, she is reading this right now, she is officially invited to Durham for a date, if she has any interest at all in a fairly out-of-shape law student who nonetheless looks damn good in a suit.  I could also use some motivation to get back in shape, and a beautiful Olympian would probably provide both the requisite motivation and a very high standard of fitness to aspire to.  I can offer witty legal banter, knowledge of another fairly obscure sport (rowing), and eagerness to learn at least three winter sports (speed skating, of course, as well as hockey and curling).  I’m just saying.

Curling

I love curling.  I still don’t know quite how it works, but between the Canadian MILF lady, various European women’s teams, and the awesomeness of the sport in general, I wholeheartedly approve of curling.  I even played like, just the other day in Raleigh.  Throwing stones is awesome.  I will do it again sometime.

Joannie Rochette

Just wanted to tip my hat to this woman who lost her mother just before the competition and still won a bronze.  Incredible performance.

Snowboard Racing

I’m not into snowboarding, but this was some cool shit.

Other

I’m sure that I forgot some awesome moments and/or uniforms and/or details.  Feel free to remind me and I will add them in.

Edit:

Wait, I forgot the Buccaneers old uniforms: