What happened to helmet visors for M players?

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Something that just popped into my mind watching an old game. What happened to players on Michigan wearing helmet visors (or eye shields as some like to call them)?

Does Hoke not like them? I can't remember one player wearing one while Hoke has been coaching. 

Roy Roundtree in 2010-

Gardner in 2010-

J.T. Floyd in 2010-

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ericcarbs

September 5th, 2013 at 7:53 PM ^

Because its harder for the opposing team to read your eyes

So a WR could cheat and look where he is moving or running back can look at the hole first.

As for clear, it can prevent players from trying to gauge your eyes in the bottom of a pile but that's about it

Joined: 08/20/2013

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NOLA Wolverine

September 5th, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^

I know you're not replying directly to me, but I'll just add in here that my point about vision obsurement was mostly about getting sweat and marks on the visor. I wore one for a practice in my senior year and I couldn't belive how easily it marks up. 

And to the point about eye gouging, if that's the intention of the visor then I really question why you hardly ever saw them on offensive lineman. The position where they're most commonly used has to be defensive back, and I would guess they're eye gouge percentage to be less than lineman's. I get that they're effective at stopping fingers, but I kind of doubt that's the prominent reason people wore them. 

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Bando Calrissian

September 5th, 2013 at 7:48 PM ^

Besides looking stupid in most non-sunny conditions, NCAA rules now mandate that only a clear visor may be worn, unless a player has a specific medical condition that needs a shaded visor. 

"The 2009 NCCA rulebook contains two specific rules relating to helmet visors. Rule 1-4, article 5, letter L, states that visors may only have the manufacturer or distributor label present. This label should be no larger than 2 and ¼ inches. The other rule, rule 1-4, article 5, letter S, states that eye shields must be clear, have no tint and are to be made from molded material. Players who are in violation of these rules will not be eligible to play unless their equipment is changed to meet these criteria. Individuals with special eye conditions must get medical clearance and NCAA approval to bypass these rules."

http://www.livestrong.com/article/405112-rules-for-a-football-helmet-vi…

The clear ones pretty much serve no purpose as it is. And I can't imagine they'd be terribly safe if they shatter.

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NelzQ

September 5th, 2013 at 7:51 PM ^

Thank you for the info. To parrot Michael Rosenberg over at SI; Leave the best uniform in coollege football alone. All of those alternate uniforms were/are the equivalent of buying suits at JC Penney after a lifetime of Brooks Brothers. David Brandon, just stop it.

Joined: 09/17/2012

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MGoBender

September 5th, 2013 at 10:35 PM ^

Exactly.  I'm not a fan of someone spending hundreds of dollars on uniforms and freakin receiver gloves and then complain about going "broke" whether it is in jest or not.  If I had that kind of disposible income... I'd not have it because it would go right at my student loans with every other disposable cent I have.

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JamieH

September 6th, 2013 at 12:33 AM ^

His exact words were:

 

"I'm going to go broke on gloves."

 

So he WAS complaining about impending broke-dom.  Which, if true (which it probably isn't because he was probably not serious) would be pretty silly, since any fan going broke to buy a pair of over-priced receiver gloves would be ridiculous. 

Unless you are a student at Michigan playing IM football, in which case it would be totally worth it to look cool. 

 

 

Joined: 09/05/2009

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GrindToEat

September 5th, 2013 at 8:18 PM ^

I personally wore one (clear) as a lineman only in certain games during high school. Generally rivalry games that got a little heated. As a d lineman anything goes on the interior and a finger in the eyeball hurts like no other

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