There’s a post on Fast Company that points out the worst NFL helmet designs and suggests alternatives. As soon as I read it, I knew the 12-year-old football fan inside me had to respond.
Author Ken Carbone lists the Cowboys, Eagles, Rams and Vikings among the best, with the Bengals taking the top spot. I’ve got to disagree with the Bengals. The tiger stripes are cheesy. My favorite is the Seattle Seahawks.
The bird looks like an early Native American woodcut, its furrowed brow makes it look mean and it’s the only NFL logo that wraps around the back of the helmet.
Ken suggests that the Patriots need a redesign as well, and I agree. I think the “Flying John Kerry” they’ve got now would be improved if it wrapped around like the hawk does. Right now, the Pats logo always looks crooked. When seen off of the helmet — a bumper sticker, perhaps — I want to adjust it so that the face’s profile is perpendicular to ground, but that makes the trailing colors seem to hang low. When situated as intended, the face gazes down at the ground, looking defeated. It irks me.
Ken came up with an Easy Rider/Evel Knievel/Captain America design that doesn’t cut it. Yes, it’s a bold alternative and would look cool when painted inside an end zone, but the previous associations are too strong.
Besides, the Pats have a more colonial than contemporary theme. If you can suggest a new Pats design, I’d love to see it.
The worst pro football helmets come from Vince McMahon’s ill-fated XFL. Look at these stinkers.
Horrible. The Demons is the only one that doesn’t look like the logo for an energy drink.
[Via Daring Fireball]
i agree 100%. The Hawks have the best helmet, and the Pats helmets DO look like John Kerry! I was just noticing how lame it was last night when they were comparing it to the old Pats’ helmet with the player. Sorry you’re unemployed, best of luck. Ienjoyed the read!