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ESPN's Power Rankings - Best NFL Helmets (1 Viewer)

Jeff Haseley

Moderator
Here's the link to the article.

Supposedly the helmet judging is based on artistic design and look, but ultimately it's determined by the eye of the beholder.

Here's how the Top 10 fared. Do you agree or disagree? Which teams were overlooked?

1. Pittsburgh

2. Indianapolis

3. Oakland

4. Green Bay

5. San Diego

6. Dallas

7. Minnesota

8. Cleveland :shock:

9. Chicago

10. Miami

:popcorn:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Here's the link to the article.

Supposedly the helmet judging is based on artistic design and look, but ultimately it's determined by the eye of the beholder.

Here's how the Top 10 fared. Do you agree or disagree? Which teams were overlooked?

1. Pittsburgh

2. Indianapolis

3. Oakland

4. Green Bay

5. San Diego

6. Dallas

7. Minnesota

8. Cleveland :shock:

9. Chicago

10. Miami

:popcorn:
ridiculous...San Diego IMHO easily has the best helmet design.

 
1. Pittsburgh

2. San Diego

3. St. Louis

4. Jacksonville (love the black/teal/pearl)

5. Philly

6. Dallas

7. Oakland

8. Minnesota

9. Cincinnati

10. Atlanta/New Orleans

 
Something like this is such a matter of taste, that it is almost silly to "power rank" helmets. As you can tell by the original list, there are a lot of nostalgic teams listed (Cleveland, GB for example). I also think we are probably the worst group of people to judge what is the best...we all have our biases, whether it is our home team, rival, or again a nostalgic team who has refused to update (going for a classic look). I would like to see what 100 people off the street who do not watch football rank them...I think it would be much more realistic.

Honestly, I kinda like the Browns helmet, but again, it plays into my knowing the history of the team, etc. Ask someone off the street and they would be like, "it is poop-colored brown, with a stripe down the middle...what is so special about that"?

 
I disagree, and here is why.

It looks to me that a lot of the NFL helmets were made by 3rd graders, for 3rd graders. So working backwards lets eliminate helmets

Browns

- not much artistic design here, with it basically being an orange blob. Their eliminated from the running.

Chicago

Green Bay

NY Giants

- Again, if it can be done by a 3rd grader with 16 count box of Crayolas, their eliminated. These are just

letters



Dallas

Minnesota

Philly

Detroit

New Orleans

Indy

Houston

Atlanta

- All of these are a little more sophisticated than just the letters from the above group, but in the end they

shapes, no real detail. These are all coloring book outlines that some 3rd grader used a box of 64 (with the

sharpener) to fill in. These are eliminated.

Cincy

St Louis

San Diego

- These are all just really lines. Some fatter than others, some with jagged edges (S.D.) No big deal. Their

eliminated.

KC

NYJ .

Pittsburgh

SF

Tennessee

- All of these are just a combination of simple shapes, with letters in the middle. No real detail. Their

eliminated

Pitt was the number #1 in the OP? Its a white circle with 3 diamonds and some letters???

Carolina

Arizona

NE

Buffalo

- Now things are getting a little harder (that's what she said). These logos all have more detail than just

shapes.

But, when you break it down, they still look like clip art from a 20 year old computer. Their eliminated.



Baltimore

Seattle

Denver

- These are just a notch above the previous group. Especially the Ravens, they have a detailed logo and the

letter "B". Still not good enough

These are eliminated.



Jacksonville

Tampa Bay

Miami

Oakland

Washington

- None of these could be drawn by a 3rd grader. These logos have depth, color, and detail that all

the others are lacking.

The Redskins logo has stood the test of time, political incorrectness, and Albert Haynesworth.

In todays society, a 3rd grader would not be allowed to draw a logo like this and name it "Redskins", (at least

not without a call to his/her parents)

Washington's logo wins simply on shock value.

P.S. Thanks to the NFL owners, and NFLPA for allowing me the time to write this post. As it stands now, I have nothing better to do.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Here's the link to the article.

Supposedly the helmet judging is based on artistic design and look, but ultimately it's determined by the eye of the beholder.

Here's how the Top 10 fared. Do you agree or disagree? Which teams were overlooked?

1. Pittsburgh

2. Indianapolis

3. Oakland

4. Green Bay

5. San Diego

6. Dallas

7. Minnesota

8. Cleveland :shock:

9. Chicago

10. Miami

:popcorn:
I actually think this is a pretty solid list. I would've liked to have seen Washington make it, but I'm not sure who I'd eliminate. Probably San Diego.
 
Here's the link to the article.

Supposedly the helmet judging is based on artistic design and look, but ultimately it's determined by the eye of the beholder.

Here's how the Top 10 fared. Do you agree or disagree? Which teams were overlooked?

1. Pittsburgh

2. Indianapolis

3. Oakland

4. Green Bay

5. San Diego

6. Dallas

7. Minnesota

8. Cleveland :shock:

9. Chicago

10. Miami

:popcorn:
I actually think this is a pretty solid list. I would've liked to have seen Washington make it, but I'm not sure who I'd eliminate. Probably San Diego.
Take off Cleveland, Minnesota and Miami for New Orleans, St. Louis and Washington IMO.
 
The Raiders are way better than any other team. It isn't close.
I think the Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos and Redskins have the most artistic flavor to them. I like the Panthers logo with the flared out stripes on the helmet too. No other team has that. The Broncos stripe that ends at a point is cool too. I think the Falcons logo that also takes the shape of an "F" is one of the most underrated logos in all of sports. It's in the same line as the old Hartford Whalers logo that takes the shape of an "H" and "W". The new Buccaneers logo is also well designed. The Old Bucs logo is cool too, but the creamsicle colors made it a flop.
 
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"The famous three-star Pittsburgh Steelers logo was a bit longer in coming, however. Helmet logos first became popular in 1948 when the Los Angeles Rams became the first team to use an insignia or logo on its helmet. Rams player, Fred Gehrke, was also an artist and spent all of his free time that season hand-painting the distinctive Ram horns on 70 leather helmets. The next year, Riddell, manufacturer of the famous plastic football helmet still in use today, agreed to bake the design into the helmet, prompting other teams to gradually add logos of their own. The Steelers' only concession to the new logo craze, however, was to add the players' numbers and a black stripe to their distinctive gold helmets.

In 1962, Republic Steel of Cleveland approached the Steelers and suggested that they consider the Steelmark, the insignia used by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), as a helmet logo to honor Pittsburgh's steel heritage. The Steelmark logo, a circle enclosing three hypocycloids (diamonds with inward-curving edges) and the word STEEL, was created by U.S. Steel Corp. (now known as USX Corp.) to educate consumers about the importance of steel in their daily lives.

The colors were chosen to promote the attributes for steel: yellow lightens your work; orange brightens your leisure; and blue widens your world. The logo's meaning was later amended to represent the three materials used to produce steel: yellow for coal; orange for iron ore; and blue for steel scrap.

The Steelers liked the idea presented by Republic Steel, despite the fact that the company was located in the city of their bitterest rival, the Cleveland Browns, and proudly sported the new logo on their helmets for the 1962 season. After qualifying that year for their first-ever postseason game, they changed the color of their helmets from gold to solid black, which also served to highlight the new logo they felt had brought them good luck.

The new Steelmark logo was originally only applied to one side of the helmet (the right side) by equipment manager Jack Hart because the Steelers were uncertain how it would look on their solid gold helmets. Even when they later switched their helmet color to solid black, they decided to permanently retain the logo on just the one side due to the team's new success and the interest generated by the logo's uniqueness. The Steelers are now the only team in the NFL to sport its logo on only one side of the helmet.

One last change occurred to the logo in 1963 when the Steelers petitioned the AISI to allow them to change the word 'Steel' inside the Steelmark to 'Steelers.' The Steelers later added the gold stripe and player numbers and changed the face masks from grey to black, but otherwise the helmet has remained virtually unchanged since 1963.

The interest generated by having the logo on only one side of their helmets along with the team’s new success (they were 9-5 after many years of losing seasons), the Steelers decided to leave the helmet that way permanently. The Steelers logo hasn't changed since, fitting for a football team that values consistency and tradition."

 
This topic is right up my alley. I collect mini-helmets. I have every current one and a dozen throwbacks. In my estimation, most of the changes in helmet design over the years was not for the better! It's the old-school in me, maybe, but that's how I see it. It blows my mind that Robert Kraft could look at that stupid Elvis logo and think it's better than 'Pat Patriot'... what a joke.

Oakland's logo is why I became a Raiders fan. I saw it when I was 5 years old and I was sold. :wub:

My list of the Top-10 helmets EVER:

RAIDERS (current)

BILLS ('65-'73)

PATRIOTS ('82-'89)

OILERS ('75-'80)

FALCONS ('84-'89)

REDSKINS (current)

BUCCANEERS ('76-'96)

BRONCOS ('75-'96)

EAGLES ('74-'95)

RAMS ('81-'99) ... this is the BEST UNIFORM head-to-toe in the history of the league!

Absolutely disgusting that they would ditch these for the dark blue & mustard CRAP they wear now. :thumbdown:

 
The Browns helmet is horrible. I get that if you like the team that there is nostalgia there.

But it's just a brown helmet.

 
I cannot select any helmet that isn't completely original. Like the Panthers, but hey, get your own freaking colors.

Rams is a great helmet. Just good looking, aesthetically. Old or new. Same with the Chargers.

Most underrated: Broncos Old School. Fantastic.

I always thought the Seahawks had a good thing going.

Browns? What, is that just being contrarian? Reading RN's list below, it's amazing how different taste is. I thought the old school Pats and (not quite as old school) Broncos are some of the ugliest hats a person could be forced to wear.

 
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Seriously?

The Raiders, its a shield with a dude and an eyepatch, whats so cool or unique about that. Black and silver are extremly basic colors as well.

Miami is a Dolphin with a helmet in a sun, cool, if your a woman.

10. Seahawks

9. Falcons

8. Jaguars

7. Patriots

6. Rams

5. Saints

4. Redskins

3. Broncos

2. Chargers

1. Bengals

The tiger stripes are the best uniform and helmet bar none IMHO.

PS i cant stand the Bungles, but sweet helmets are sweet helmets.

 
The Browns helmet is horrible. I get that if you like the team that there is nostalgia there.But it's just a brown helmet.
Its actually orange, but the helmet still sucks, so who cares. better yet we should do College....Michigan wins hands down, no one is close if you disagree your a hater. Notre Dame and Ohio State are just horrible, lets get creative and do nothing.I like Alabamas just because of the jersey number.
 
This topic is right up my alley. I collect mini-helmets. I have every current one and a dozen throwbacks. In my estimation, most of the changes in helmet design over the years was not for the better! It's the old-school in me, maybe, but that's how I see it. It blows my mind that Robert Kraft could look at that stupid Elvis logo and think it's better than 'Pat Patriot'... what a joke.

Oakland's logo is why I became a Raiders fan. I saw it when I was 5 years old and I was sold. :wub:

My list of the Top-10 helmets EVER:

RAIDERS (current)

BILLS ('65-'73)

PATRIOTS ('82-'89)

OILERS ('75-'80)

FALCONS ('84-'89)

REDSKINS (current)

BUCCANEERS ('76-'96)

BRONCOS ('75-'96)

EAGLES ('74-'95)

RAMS ('81-'99) ... this is the BEST UNIFORM head-to-toe in the history of the league!

Absolutely disgusting that they would ditch these for the dark blue & mustard CRAP they wear now. :thumbdown:
Dude, stop with the Raiders already...oh wait, a homer.I'm a Saints and Lions fan, you dont see me saying they are number 1.

Why do people have to be bias all the time?

 
This topic is right up my alley. I collect mini-helmets. I have every current one and a dozen throwbacks. In my estimation, most of the changes in helmet design over the years was not for the better! It's the old-school in me, maybe, but that's how I see it. It blows my mind that Robert Kraft could look at that stupid Elvis logo and think it's better than 'Pat Patriot'... what a joke.

Oakland's logo is why I became a Raiders fan. I saw it when I was 5 years old and I was sold. :wub:

My list of the Top-10 helmets EVER:

RAIDERS (current)

BILLS ('65-'73)

PATRIOTS ('82-'89)

OILERS ('75-'80)

FALCONS ('84-'89)

REDSKINS (current)

BUCCANEERS ('76-'96)

BRONCOS ('75-'96)

EAGLES ('74-'95)

RAMS ('81-'99) ... this is the BEST UNIFORM head-to-toe in the history of the league!

Absolutely disgusting that they would ditch these for the dark blue & mustard CRAP they wear now. :thumbdown:
Great list. I've always loved the Patriots, Broncos and Falcons helmets you have listed. I'm a little bit surprised with the Redskins love. Not that it's a bad helmet, I've always lliked the one with the spear better.

 
This topic is right up my alley. I collect mini-helmets. I have every current one and a dozen throwbacks. In my estimation, most of the changes in helmet design over the years was not for the better! It's the old-school in me, maybe, but that's how I see it. It blows my mind that Robert Kraft could look at that stupid Elvis logo and think it's better than 'Pat Patriot'... what a joke.

Oakland's logo is why I became a Raiders fan. I saw it when I was 5 years old and I was sold. :wub:

My list of the Top-10 helmets EVER:

RAIDERS (current)

BILLS ('65-'73)

PATRIOTS ('82-'89)

OILERS ('75-'80)

FALCONS ('84-'89)

REDSKINS (current)

BUCCANEERS ('76-'96)

BRONCOS ('75-'96)

EAGLES ('74-'95)

RAMS ('81-'99) ... this is the BEST UNIFORM head-to-toe in the history of the league!

Absolutely disgusting that they would ditch these for the dark blue & mustard CRAP they wear now. :thumbdown:
Dude, stop with the Raiders already...oh wait, a homer.I'm a Saints and Lions fan, you dont see me saying they are number 1.

Why do people have to be bias all the time?
I've always thought the Raiders helmet was cool. I've always thought it a better helmet than Pittsburgh's.I can see how people like SD's, it wouldn't be my NO. 1, not would the Rams because they're kind of pansyish but the detail/logo is cool enough to be in my top 10, maybe top 5.

I'm not sold on the Browns being top 5. If you're strictly old school then yes, the history of the helmet and what it stands for gets it there, probably why the Dallas helmet is there. Whether you hate Dallas or not, that star represents something for NFL followers worldwide. But the Cowboy helmet alone is not top 10 cool.

I guess if I had to be completely honest, my choice would be the Raiders. To be my top helmet, you have to have cool coolers, something that symbolizes toughness. For me, that throws out helmets like San Diego and the Rams. To me, silver and black solidifies the toughness helmet I look for in a helmet. The picture of the Raider on the side of the helmet has character. The Raider helmet would get my vote.

 
This topic is right up my alley. I collect mini-helmets. I have every current one and a dozen throwbacks. In my estimation, most of the changes in helmet design over the years was not for the better! It's the old-school in me, maybe, but that's how I see it. It blows my mind that Robert Kraft could look at that stupid Elvis logo and think it's better than 'Pat Patriot'... what a joke.

Oakland's logo is why I became a Raiders fan. I saw it when I was 5 years old and I was sold. :wub:

My list of the Top-10 helmets EVER:

RAIDERS (current)

BILLS ('65-'73)

PATRIOTS ('82-'89)

OILERS ('75-'80)

FALCONS ('84-'89)

REDSKINS (current)

BUCCANEERS ('76-'96)

BRONCOS ('75-'96)

EAGLES ('74-'95)

RAMS ('81-'99) ... this is the BEST UNIFORM head-to-toe in the history of the league!

Absolutely disgusting that they would ditch these for the dark blue & mustard CRAP they wear now. :thumbdown:
Dude, stop with the Raiders already...oh wait, a homer.
DEAR TOOLBOX...Did you miss the part about me becoming a Raiders fan BECAUSE of the logo???

Of course it's going to be my favorite. :doh:

 
DEAR TOOLBOX...

Did you miss the part about me becoming a Raiders fan BECAUSE of the logo???

Of course it's going to be my favorite. :doh:
Anyone claiming that is not an attractive helmet is like someone telling me little orange gremlins secretly run the government. It's such an indefensible position you can't even argue against it.
 
DEAR TOOLBOX...

Did you miss the part about me becoming a Raiders fan BECAUSE of the logo???

Of course it's going to be my favorite. :doh:
Anyone claiming that is not an attractive helmet is like someone telling me little orange gremlins secretly run the government. It's such an indefensible position you can't even argue against it.
Gotta consider the source here. Football Critic's moronic viewpoints provide endless in-season entertainment.
 
DEAR TOOLBOX...

Did you miss the part about me becoming a Raiders fan BECAUSE of the logo???

Of course it's going to be my favorite. :doh:
Anyone claiming that is not an attractive helmet is like someone telling me little orange gremlins secretly run the government. It's such an indefensible position you can't even argue against it.
Gotta consider the source here. Football Critic's moronic viewpoints provide endless in-season entertainment.
I worry about him. I hope he wears a helmet on the bus.
 
'Football Critic said:
Seriously?The Raiders, its a shield with a dude and an eyepatch, whats so cool or unique about that. Black and silver are extremly basic colors as well.Miami is a Dolphin with a helmet in a sun, cool, if your a woman.10. Seahawks9. Falcons8. Jaguars7. Patriots6. Rams5. Saints4. Redskins3. Broncos2. Chargers1. BengalsThe tiger stripes are the best uniform and helmet bar none IMHO.PS i cant stand the Bungles, but sweet helmets are sweet helmets.
:thumbup:
 
1 Bucs retro

2 Titans retro

3 Panthers

4 Bengals

5 Jaguars

6 Pats retro

7 Bucs

8 Chargers alternate

9 Saints

10 Chargers

 

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