More Gumball Helmet Goodness!

Today I wanted to take a look at some more gumball helmet goodness, this time in the form of some old NFL designs from the 1970's. These classic gumball helmets feature some of the greatest old school looks for several NFL teams. The first image includes the Buffalo Bills helmet from the OJ Simpson era, with the standing buffalo on the side of the white helmet. This look is classic Buffalo Bills, and I still think is better than their current helmet.

Next in the image is one of my all-time favorites, the classic BENGALS helmet that the team wore from its founding until 1980. It has to be the childhood memories that make this one so special to me, because it is about as simple as a design can get. The Eagles have changed looks a couple of times since this classic white helmet with the green eagle wings on the side. It is a really great design placement, and much different than what the team has used for many years. The final helmet in the image features the classic Orange Crush-era Denver Broncos helmet. For those of us who grew up in the 1970's, this is the real Denver Broncos look. The "D" with a snorting horse will always be associated with the Orange Crush years, and is a much more classic look than their current logo set.

This next image contains four more classics. The Giants helmet is their "old look that is their current look". The team wore this classic NY look prior to the switch to the GIANTS look of the LT era. The team returned to this look and it is on their current helmets. The New York Jets helmet is another that was the old and is now the new as well. Is there a pattern here?

The Oilers helmet in this image is a true classic. Most associate the white version of the oil derrick helmet with the Oilers, but this classic baby blue version preceded that one. This helmet is a true lost NFL classic. Finally, another old is now new helmet. This Chargers helmet was used by the team in the early 1970's. The team switched to a navy helmet for many years and has now returned to this classic look as their current helmet, with some minor color additions. Definitely a good move to return to this classic old school NFL look.

Comments

[marc]

ah, gumball helmets... another wonderful topic. maybe it's cause i grew up in the 70s, but i always prefer these old-school helmets to the newer versions. i was giddy as a school-girl when the jets went back to their original look... great stuff. orange crush broncos was a great look too. i love the giants look. the chargers are great, but i wish they'd go back to the number on the side of the helmet. the bengals would get a big thumbs up from me if they went old-school. it'd be cool if the oilers were still around so maybe they could go back to their silver helmet... talk about cool headgear!

[Nick Houser]

I wish the Bengals would wear their original uniforms at some point. They are classic and much simpler than their current jerseys. This would have been a perfect year to do so to coincide with the 60th Anniversary of the AFL. But then again Mike Brown would have to spend some additional money.

Great pic of Bob Trumpy here
http://ohiocardsblog.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/mr-inner_changeable-drill_bit/

[Zubaz is zu-back!]

Nick, for the 2009 season the NFL is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the AFL, not the 60th.

I really like the white-with-green-wings Eagles helmets. It would be awesome if they went back to that helmet full time, or at least wore them for a couple throwback games every year. Did you know there is some debate over whether or not that helmet had black outlines on the wings? Go here to read more about it:
http://www.nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/nfceast.htm

Also, I prefer the current Bengals helmet that first appeared in 1981. I think it's friggin' awesome and one of the greatest looking football helmets in history. The original one I feel is very plain and dull and boring and uncreative. I mean, come on, your team's nickname on the helmet? You gotta be able to think of something better than that.