Something needs to be done about the helmet stickers (pic)

Submitted by Maizen on

I'll admit that when coach Harbaugh announced the return of helmet stickers I was lukewarm about the idea because a) I grew up in an era where Michigan did not wear them and b) I prefer the clean and classic look of the winged helmet. 

As the season has gone on they have grown on me a bit, however it's becoming clear (just take one look at Jabrill Peppers helmet) that the criteria for the stickers is either too lax or that the stickers themselves are too big. I mean this looks ridiculous and cluttered no? 

Yes, I realize life is good when this is what we have to complain about, but can we get some smaller stickers next year so our beautiful helmets don't look so busy? I don't think that's too much to ask. Perhaps something like this (EDIT: for Firstbase's idea for helmet stickers)

Alton

November 11th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^

So I certainly understand the argument that having helmet stickers motivates the players more than no helmet stickers.  Don't know if I agree, but obviously people who know more about that than I do have said that.

But...do you really think these oversized helmet stickers that we went with this season are more motivating than normal sized helmet stickers?

Saint_in_Blue

November 11th, 2015 at 1:54 PM ^

Harbaugh is an old school, throwback kind of guy. And these are the same stickers they used in the 80's/early 90's. But that's not really the point. I'm sure Harbaugh makes it a motivational tool. Probably has a nice presentation set up for those that earn stickers. And he's going to do things his way. And if his way leads to players being motivated to earn those stickers and perform in games, I'm all for it.

Alton

November 11th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^

I think that's false:  did they have a case of the old stickers sitting around after 25 years?  I am certain that the design is the same as one of the several designs used back in the '70s and '80s; I am not certain that the size is the same.  Mr. Harbaugh never had to place the stickers he earned in between the helmet stripes, nor did any other player in Michigan's history. 

Again, I agree that only Mr. Harbaugh knows how to properly motivate his players.  That is not the dispute.  The only dispute here is between the oversized stickers they are using now, and a regular sized sticker with the same design (or a different design).  I do understand that it might be possible that today's helmets are smaller than those in Mr. Harbaugh's day.  If so, a proportional shrinking of the stickers would be logical.

xtramelanin

November 11th, 2015 at 8:29 PM ^

coach harbaugh or JH, or most commonly and simply, harbaugh.

helmet size hasn't changed much if at all.   their interior padding has, air bladders, things like that, but fairly similar over the last 30-40 yrs.

 

 

Maizen

November 11th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^

Well, I think we should be aware of how we present ourselves. It's clear in today's era of college football uniforms, helmets, etc matter to recruits. We have a beautiful helmet, the best in football, and I'm proud of our kids who earned their stickers. I just don't think it should take up the entire helmet and distract from the legendary wings.

bmacjr11

November 11th, 2015 at 6:51 PM ^

Agree that unis, helmets, looks matter to recruits.  But other things that matter to recruits are winning, and coaches...  So I will happily take Harbaugh and the stickers over Hoke/Rodriguez/Carr and no stickers any day....  Both for my sanity and recruiting purposes..Plus we have Jumpman uniforms coming.. I think recruits will be happy with uniforms... The first time I hear a recruit say "I chose Oregon over Michigan and Harbaugh because of the uniforms"  I will retract all of this. 

bmacjr11

November 11th, 2015 at 11:57 PM ^

Because it seems very clear to the obvious bystander that with Harbaugh comes helmet stickers.... Maybe he will change the size, maybe he will make them harder to earn, I don't know... But he obviously uses them, and the other coaches obviously didn't.. That seems pretty clear.. It's not my or your call as to whether they happen or not, it's Harbaughs... So there are threeways you can go once that conclusion is drawn...1. You can talk to Harbaugh about your disliking of the helmet stickers and demand that they be removed due to the fact that you think it will hinder recruiting. (This option is a little far fetched) 2. You can accept that with Harbaugh, comes helmet stickers and hope that recruits are at least somewhat logical and want to play for The University of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, and the rest of the NFL experienced staff that we currently boast, despite the "helmet stickers", or 3. You can hate the helmet stickers, continue to let it bother you while you wish for the best of both worlds, and continue living your life... With any of these options, my guess is the helmet stickers are here to stay as long as Harbaugh is the coach and I for one would take that over some coach that chooses not to use them.

justingoblue

November 11th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^

The last two national championship winning coaches, including the man credited with the design of the actual helmet, seem to agree on no helmet stickers.

I've got no problem with people arguing tradition, but it's not like helmet stickers disappeared out of nowhere with RR or Hoke. There's plenty of tradition without them.

justingoblue

November 11th, 2015 at 2:56 PM ^

My mistake/oversight. Still, Crisler, Oosterbaan, Elliot, Carr, RR and Hoke all fielded Michigan teams with winged helmets and no stickers, regardless of whether the first three were aware of the concept.

Neither Tom Harmon nor Charles Woodson ever had stickers, and they're as big tradition wise as anyone who did.

bmacjr11

November 12th, 2015 at 12:12 AM ^

I too don't have an opinion on the matter but if the three coaches prior to a Bo didn't know they existed, then our population is a lot of coaches that I certainly don't mind disagreeing with.. If our extensive tradition without helmet stickers consists of basically Carr/RR/and Hoke... The the only part of that "tradition" I want to remember is Carr and Denard and I'll gladly take the helmet stickers.