Jump to content

Yellow Helmet Shells


illwauk

Recommended Posts

I've said more than a few times over the years that the thing I like the most about the Packers uniforms is the yellow shells... largely because no one else in the NFL uses them (at least not full time). But today as I was browsing The Helmet Project, I noticed that they're even more rare in the college game. Out of 100+ FBS teams, a grand total of two (LSU and Arizona State) have yellow shells. I thought that was pretty interesting considering how common yellow is as a school color.

I can somewhat understand the lack of yellow in the NFL, since it's so strongly tied into the identity of two of its most successful teams (Packers & Steelers), but Arizona State is hardly a perennial contender in the NCAA and LSU, while a traditionally successful school doesn't exactly "own" the color... it's not like anyone refers to "LSU gold" the way they wpuld "Tennessee Orange," "Carolina Blue" or "Michigan Maize."

So does anyone know if there's something to the lack of yellow shells... or is it just a fluke of coincidence?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because for the most part yellow helmets are ugly.

Brilliant analysis.

I think that it's because most teams with yellow in their scheme tend not to have yellow jerseys, and for the most part, if your helmet and jersey aren't going to match, it's more aesthetically pleasing if your helmet is a darker color than the jersey. The majority of people like the Jaguars look with black helmets and teal jerseys, but what if it was reversed? It'd look silly.

The exception would be if the helmet matched the pants, like in the case of Green Bay and LSU. That's a big commitment to yellow, though, and I'm not sure how many teams really feature the color that prominently in their palattes.

Yellow is one of those colors (like silver and gold) that's light enough that it almost clashes with white, so it'd look silly for a team to have yellow helmets and white pants (just like it looks silly IMO when a team wears silver or gold helmets and white pants (unless they're wearing a silver or gold jersey too.)) A team could wear a yellow helmet, white jersey, and dark pants (like the Patriots road but sub silver for yellow), but a yellow helmet, dark jersey, and white pants would look dumb.

"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess the case is closed then.

Thread over. Mods, please lock it up.

"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess the case is closed then.

Thread over. Mods, please lock it up.

Judge.jpg

Judge tNak has ruled!

On January 16, 2013 at 3:49 PM, NJTank said:

Btw this is old hat for Notre Dame. Knits Rockne made up George Tip's death bed speech.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yellow is an intense color and is often best used as a trim or secondary color. i too love the Packers,, LSU, and AZ State helmets. their entire uniforms are very nice. but yellow and orange are colors that can just as easily become "too much", especially if they are bright like Michigan's yellow.

 

GRAPHIC ARTIST

BEHANCE  /  MEDIUM  /  DRIBBBLE

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess the case is closed then.

Thread over. Mods, please lock it up.

Judge tNak has ruled!

I'm still laughing... tank you.

"The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess the case is closed then.

Thread over. Mods, please lock it up.

Judge tNak has ruled!

I'm still laughing... tank you.

That makes 2 of us...

I think it's probably because molded yellow plastic just doesn't look good...even the packers moved to a painted shell with a slightly metallic finish...also too much yellow and your team ends up looking like the san diego chicken.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's just a fluke. Historically Oregon has worn yellow shells so did Iowa and Miami had them in the 1950s and early 1960s even though yellow wasn't a part of the school colors (that I know of). Did you look below the Div I level in college? Off the top of my head McNeese and Hardin-Simmons wear yellow. I have seen many high school teams wear yellow shells.

However, it is an interesting point. Even Minnesota preferred to wear white shells for a long time over both yellow and burgundy (before finally moving to yellow for awhile).

FsQiF2W.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that yellow helmets can be one of the best looks in football if they are paired with yellow pants. Why? Because yellow is such a versatile color:

YELLOW / ROYAL / YELLOW

ss-1980.JPG

marinopitt82pf-1.jpg

YELLOW / PURPLE / YELLOW

PatrickPetersonRain.jpg

YELLOW / GREEN / YELLOW

Oregon-Ducks-Throwback-Uniforms-5.jpg

Charles-Woodson-011209-thumb-300x314-22976.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, Oregon's had some form of a yellow helmet since the 70s. Since the late 90s, though, it's been an alternate.

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (CHL - 2018 Orr Cup Champions) Chicago Rivermen (UBA/WBL - 2014, 2015, 2017 Intercontinental Cup Champions)

King's Own Hexham FC (BIP - 2022 Saint's Cup Champions) Portland Explorers (EFL - Elite Bowl XIX Champions) Real San Diego (UPL) Red Bull Seattle (ULL - 2018, 2019, 2020 Gait Cup Champions) Vancouver Huskies (CL)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On "How It's Made" one of the segments featured football helmets. Most of the helmets shown from beginning to end were molded yellow plastic.

I don't think yellow helmets are ugly. It just depends on the whole scheme head to toe.

Back-to-Back Fatal Forty Champion 2015 & 2016

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.