14 replies to this topic

[John Grasso]

When did the face mask become a required piece of equipment in the NFL?
I remember Bobby Layne playing without one and I believe there were one or
two others in the 1960s.

[ronfitch]

When did the face mask become a required piece of equipment in the NFL?
I remember Bobby Layne playing without one and I believe there were one or
two others in the 1960s.

Not sure. I thought I had read it in a forum here, but cannot find it here or elsewhere online.

In the meantime, however, some fun reading about face masks:

http://sports.espn.g...ge=lukas/041216

http://www.pigskinbu...in-the-nfl-1547

http://www.pfraforum...sk&fromsearch=1

http://www.pfraforum...sk&fromsearch=1

[rhickok1109]

When did the face mask become a required piece of equipment in the NFL?
I remember Bobby Layne playing without one and I believe there were one or
two others in the 1960s.

The face mask has been required since 1955, but active players who hadn't worn one before that were allowed to go without them for the duration of their careers. Tommy McDonald was the last player who didn't wear a face mask.

[John Grasso]

The face mask has been required since 1955, but active players who hadn't worn one before that were allowed to go without them for the duration of their careers. Tommy McDonald was the last player who didn't wear a face mask.

Thanks

[Teo]

The face mask has been required since 1955, but active players who hadn't worn one before that were allowed to go without them for the duration of their careers. Tommy McDonald was the last player who didn't wear a face mask.

I know that punters Bobby Joe Green and Pat Studstill played without a face mask in the early seventies.

[John Turney]

I know that punters Bobby Joe Green and Pat Studstill played without a face mask in the early seventies.

I've seen shots of Studtill without a mask, but not sure they were regular season. Maybe in preseason rules were not as strict. But with Rams, in all the games I've seen Studstill had a mask. But, I did not see all the game. Coach TJ may know more about both as he saw lots of Bears and Rams game.

[PowderedH2O]

Tommy McDonald started in 1957, so how was he exempted?

[conace21]

Tommy McDonald started in 1957, so how was he exempted?

"The First 50 Years" stated that the facemask became mandatory for all players in 1954. As far as McDonald goes, I looked to my all-time favorite book, "The Pro Football Chronicle," which had a tidbit about Eagles defensive tackle Jess Richardson, the last lineman to play without a facemask.
"He got special permission from commissioner Bert Bell to continue playing au naturel after facemasks were made mandatory." Perhaps McDonald did the same?

[luckyshow]

1926:
http://www.luckyshow...926headgear.htm

1926 Stapes helmet

[John Turney]

Tommy McDonald started in 1957, so how was he exempted?

McDonald also began with a facemask, this is purported to be 1960 . . .

http://www.gstatic.c...d0f724985_large

[coach tj troup]

McDonald also began with a facemask, this is purported to be 1960 . . .

http://www.gstatic.c...d0f724985_large

...11-19-67 nyg beats steelers 28-20, and in the game dick hoak switches helmets depending on situation. when he is the holder, helmet with no mask. when he is at runningback, his usual 2bar facemask.

[John Turney]

In early 1960s Jim Norton for Oilers didn't wear a facemask, but I am not sure for how long or how often. I have one photo of him, circa 1962 sans facemask.

[lastcat3]

Technically Joe Theisman still wore a facemask. But since it was only one bar it was probably not much different than not wearing one at all.

[Citizen]

Scott Player the last guy to wear the single-bar. Likewise, the way the bar was situated under his chin left his entire face exposed, so he might as well not have bothered.

[Jay Z]

..11-19-67 nyg beats steelers 28-20, and in the game dick hoak switches helmets depending on situation. when he is the holder, helmet with no mask. when he is at runningback, his usual 2bar facemask.

 

Twice in the 1969 Detroit Lions highlight film, holder Wayne Rasmussen can be seen in action without a facemask or a chinstrap.

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