| Leatherheads, what exactly is a leatherhead? | | | | colors or team mascots were eventually painted |
| Is it a movie starring George Clooney? Well, yes, | | | | on to easily distinguish team players. Imagine being |
| that is one definition. The leatherheads I am | | | | a quarterback attempting to find the receiver far |
| talking about are actual players who wore the | | | | down field with no identifying marks on the |
| helmets we now refer to as 'leatherheads'. We | | | | receiver! Imagine that being a mud game! how |
| may very well thank the very popular movie for | | | | difficult that must have been especially if the |
| coining the phrase 'leatherheads' as I was unable | | | | receiver was well covered! Modern day players |
| to find historical references to the general public | | | | can thank the Rams for starting the painting of |
| referring to early football players as 'leatherheads'. | | | | team logo's on helmets. In 1948 the Rams horns |
| However, there is some indication that the | | | | were painted on team helmets and soon after all |
| helmets themselves were referred to as | | | | football helmets bore a teams logo or colors. |
| leatherheads. | | | | True Grit |
| Leatherheads-The Early Years | | | | While we cannot imagine playing a game of |
| The very first leather football helmet was worn in | | | | football without protective gear the era of |
| an 1893 Army-Navy game. An Annapolis shoe | | | | 'leatherheads' shows the true grit those early |
| maker developed it for Admiral Joseph Mason | | | | players had. They took a beating week after |
| Reeves who had been advised by a Navy doctor | | | | week and often went to their regular jobs during |
| that he would risk death,insanity or paralysis | | | | the week. Their sheer determination and love of |
| should he take another blow to his head during a | | | | the game has given us the football we know |
| game. Later helmets improved design with | | | | today and thankfully our players are much more |
| padding, ear flaps and eventually face guards. | | | | protected. |
| Padding but No Helmets | | | | Leather Helmets Today |
| Players often devised their own method of | | | | If you can find a leather helmet from that golden |
| padding the body and crude shoulder and hip pads | | | | era you would be lucky! To find one that doesn't |
| were worn throughout the early years of football | | | | cost you an arm and a leg would be an even |
| particularly in the early 1900's. Helmets were a | | | | bigger accomplishment. Finding images of |
| rarity to see on players and often some player | | | | 'leatherheads' can be difficult as well. International |
| wore them while others did not. In the 1920's | | | | sports artist Andy Goralski has just finished a fine |
| leather helmets became more accepted but were | | | | art piece titled "From Leather to Legendary' that |
| still not mandatory. | | | | portrays the Acme Packers team with the |
| Logo's | | | | infamous leatherhead helmets. In the back round |
| Early helmets had no identifying marks upon them | | | | is the legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay |
| whatsoever. As with all games, fierce competition | | | | showing off its newly renovated look. This fine art |
| and team pride resulted in some colleges and high | | | | piece is available in fine art prints and also available |
| schools to paint their helmets by hand. Certain | | | | on canvas. |