What happened to helmet visors for M players?
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-
September 5th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
I have no idea but let me just say seeing all the M fans behind JT in the last pic is awesome
September 5th, 2013 at 7:03 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:06 PM ^
Weren't they banned by the NCAA? (The shaded ones, anyway.)
September 5th, 2013 at 7:10 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:48 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:13 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:20 PM ^
Gerg's shiny silver hair. Not the case anymore.
September 5th, 2013 at 7:28 PM ^
Hoke probably banned them. They really don't do much besides make it more difficult to breath and obscure your vision.
September 5th, 2013 at 7:50 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:53 PM ^
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
September 5th, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 8:23 PM ^
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.
September 5th, 2013 at 10:02 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
They'd be helpful for preventing Brandon Spikes from trying to gouge your eyes out.
September 5th, 2013 at 11:40 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:30 PM ^
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.
September 5th, 2013 at 7:53 PM ^
I wore one when I played in HS and it SUCKED when it rained.
September 5th, 2013 at 8:16 PM ^
September 6th, 2013 at 1:25 AM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:50 PM ^
Always thought those things looked sinister. And at least when you see a player's eyes you connect with the person inside the uni.
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.
September 5th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^
But this doesn't really have anything to do with the uniforms themselves. We weren't wearing visors when we wore all the alternate jerseys in 2011 and 2012.
Also, Rosenberg punches dolphins.
September 5th, 2013 at 8:24 PM ^
No. This is Michigan. Our alternate uniforms are the equivalent of Brooks Brothers after a lifetime of wearing bespoke suits from Saville Row.
September 5th, 2013 at 8:49 PM ^
Wow, you must be a Lawyer.
Where does Men's Warehouse fit in this analogy?
September 5th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^
You'll love the way you look in this Adidas Legacy Uniform-inspired merchandise.
I guarantee it.
September 5th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
Forgot to inform you that the 2013 receiver gloves came out yesterday-
I'm going to go broke on gloves.
September 5th, 2013 at 10:21 PM ^
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.
September 5th, 2013 at 10:58 PM ^
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.
September 6th, 2013 at 2:57 AM ^
dude...no.
He was joking. It was hyperbole. It's an expression.
September 5th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
Little late for that.
September 6th, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^
Bespoke suits from Saville Row..
Nice. I stand enlightened.
September 5th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^
You may think that, but please don't parrot Michael Rosenberg. Ever.
September 5th, 2013 at 7:52 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
I know some people like wearing the visor to try and help prevent the black "turf beads" from spraying into your eyes when you get tackled.
September 5th, 2013 at 8:18 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 8:36 PM ^
whatever happened to them is unfortunate. they need to return.
wore one from little league thru hs. dark until they were banned.
September 5th, 2013 at 8:56 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 11:57 PM ^
you are a coach, and you would prefer your players get their neck twisted violently while playing a physical fast paced sport? Please never let my child play for someone like you.
September 6th, 2013 at 2:32 AM ^
September 6th, 2013 at 2:54 AM ^
September 6th, 2013 at 2:53 AM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 9:48 PM ^
September 5th, 2013 at 10:08 PM ^
I thought this myself. I initially didn't remember Floyd as #12. Did he get the #8 legends jersey his senior year?!