Helmet Stickers or not?

Submitted by umich2148 on

I would like to get an idea of who supports bringing back the helmet stickers that were reminiscent of the Bo era which seemed to end when Lloyd took office.

I'm a not-so-old blue as I'm almost 29 years old. Therefore, I've seen both the "cluttered" and "clean" look through my years of following college football's winningest program. Personally, I'm slightly torn on the debate. Part of me says adding anything to that helmet is nothing short of sacreligious. The other part of me remembers how sweeet it looked when an all american like Desmond Howard had his winged dome piece loaded up. A co-worker and fellow Michigan football fan, who is about 15 years older than myself, brought it up when he saw a background I had on my phone. He heavily favors the old stickers and of course I couldn't pick a side. He was wondering if it would ever come back. Actually, I'm now under the impression that he is willing to do whatever it takes to bring them back. I can't remember exactly what coach Carr's reasoning was for removing them. I do like the fact that without them, you are playing more for your team and less for the stickers that represent your individual statistical accomplishments. Which surprises me that Bo ever allowed them. However, I also thought it was cool when you started seeing them add up almost to the point where an opposing running back could see head on where the new sticker would find its place just before getting absolutely tattoed, ala Jarrett Irons. Anyway, just thought it would be cool to see what you guys' opinions on the topic would be.

PS, Thanks Brian for lifting the minimum points requirement for posts. I'm not at all a blogger or someone who spends much time on a computer on my own time. Sitting in front of one all day for work can do that to ya. It's unlikely I would have ever reached the 20 points. I really appreciate this site as it is the best I've found to enable my sometimes unhealthy addiction of all things Michigan. Your donation's in the mail.

HelloHeisman91

September 24th, 2009 at 2:40 PM ^

After you see your favorite players helmet fill up will all of you flip flop like you did on the piped in music? I don't mean to bash anyone it just seems this board is somewhat resistant to change until it happens.

jtlewis99

September 24th, 2009 at 2:50 PM ^

I do miss seeing the stickers occasionally, but overall I agree that the clean helmet is better. I'd be in favor of doing a throwback game once per season, like some other schools do. They could add the old numbers to the helmets (60's style) for that game, or, if it was later in the season, add the helmet decals for just that game. Of course that would entail the coaches to keep a running "great play tally" for all players up to that point, so it's probably not really feasible. But I think that doing something along those lines once a year would be received positively by the fans.

benpom

September 24th, 2009 at 3:10 PM ^

I dont know about throwback uniforms, i want our players going into every weeks game like there going to work... same outfit, nothing snazzy.

HOWEVER, in reading a prior post on why we got rid of the stickers, there was a GREAT SUGGESTION...

I think stickers would be great idea during Spring or Summer Practice. Then, even if I dont know all the new players, I can tell whose been doing well. Also, thats when your fighting for your spot.

I agree w/ Carr that once season starts its only about the team's performance.

Blake

September 24th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^

Iowa also did a throwback game a few years ago for the 75th Anniversary of Kinnick Stadium, but it wasn't just the team:

"The student-athletes for the University of Iowa and Kent State, the game officials, the sideline "Chain Gang," the UI cheerleaders, the UI Dance Squad and even the program vendors all will be outfitted with uniforms reminiscent of the 1930s."

More details can be found here:

http://www.hawkeyesports.com/kinnick-renovation/throwback-game.html

...and game pictures:

http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090504aaa.html

jtlewis99

September 24th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^

Throughout the entire Bo-Mo era, I don't think anyone ever had more decals on their helmet than All-American defensive tackle (and co-captain) Mark Messner did in 1988, and he probably earned lots more. Watch the 1989 Rose Bowl on YouTube; there's barely any blue space left on his helmet at all. That guy destroyed people on the LOS game in and game out, and was truly amazing to watch. I miss the decals when I think about guys like him.

OSUMC Wolverine

September 24th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^

Instead of helmet stickers we could go with stripes on socks or bars on the shoulders. Something needs to be done to motivate the players more. Simply giving more pt or talking them up in post game conferences is simply not enough. Better yet, lets start out with all blue helmets and each player gets yellow jigsaw pieces that slowly assembles the current helmet as they earn more stickers. Noone wants to be the hoser on the bench with an all blue helmet come November...

At what point did a pat on the butt no longer suffice?? :)

Litt1e Rhino

September 24th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^

Our helmet is to much of an icon to mess with (i do not want to see them touched). I do not want to go back to the helmet stickers mostly because our rivals down south wear their crap on their helmets. If its up to me i want nothing in common with them unless were on the same field kicking their ass up and down.

If i had to choose between Helmet stickers and maize jerseys i would go Helmet stickers all the way. I am so against maize jerseys its sick. I cringe every time i see Minn. and Cal wear all yellow and dread the day Michigan tries something new.

M-Go-Bleu

September 24th, 2009 at 5:41 PM ^

For me, it is no stickers and no yellow jerseys and keep the names. I hate team uniforms with no names. There people darn it, don't treat them like a number.

I am in the camp that liked the stickers of old, didn't like them when they went away, but now see the value in keeping the helmets clean and fresh.

Blue Durham

September 24th, 2009 at 6:39 PM ^

I didn't really mind the look of the at-a-boy stickers, but prefer the clean look.

But the one thing I did notice when we were using the stickers. In the second half of the season, when substitutions had to be made due to injuries, the n00b players, with their clean, stickerless helmets, stuck out like a sore thumb.

And I am not sure that was a good thing.

Blue boy johnson

September 24th, 2009 at 7:43 PM ^

I loved the stickers when I was a youngun, Gordie Bell had more than his fair share, but like most of the others I say no to stickers.
This Paul Mccartney song reminds me of the sticker era and it is a great song. Let the stickers remain in the past but I will love them always.

When you were young and your heart was an open book
You used to say "Live and let live"
(You know you did, you know you did, you know you did)
But if this ever changing world in which we live in
makes you give in and cry
Say "Live and let die

jmblue

September 24th, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^

I never cared for them. I always thought they cluttered up our helmets too much. They look good on some schools' helmets (like OSU's) when the basic design is simple, but our helmet design is colorful enough as it is. The stickers, on top of the wings and stripes, were too much.

Pick6

September 24th, 2009 at 9:33 PM ^

I think it would be sharp if the university of ohio state would come out with little poop filled cooler or little soiled underwear stickers to commemorate their loyal and educated fan base. Do like the throwback idea with the numbers on the helmet and a white on white uni. Clean helmet is the best in football, period.