The Difference a Facemask Can Make

[andycumbee19 481]

I was putting together a souvenir program at my design job and had to place these 2 photos. Looking at the two photos side by side, I realized just how much better #8 looks (and it's JUST because of the style of facemask!) Personally, based on my avatar, I'm sure you can see why I love this team's helmets so much. Am I alone on this or do you also believe that a facemask can make a helmet look more/less visually appealing?

[lancealot 84]

I completely agree that a face mask makes all the difference, I try to get the most simple facemasks I can because I think that looks a lot better. Although I have never been a fan of the running back style facemasks (#8) but there is something about that other one that doesn't look right at all

[sorcerer77 2]

Yes, I enjoy looking at the vintage facemasks of the past, especially the Dungard model from the 1970s. Colleges and pro teams wore that style, Alan Page of the Vikings is one famous player which comes to mind.

[marble21 430]

Often, I think it is more to do with where the helmet sits on the players head as to whether it looks right/wrong/better.

[BrandMooreArt 3,766]

yea i think you're going to be hard pressed to find someone around here who dosent agree. i like both of those mask in the OP, two classics for me. sometimes a single bar can make all the difference. it's all about proportion, balance, and visual weight

[nuordr 1,039]

I agree that a facemask can make a huge difference. Take Ray Lewis for example, the first facemask looks great and his is intimidating like always. While the second facemask makes him look like he trying way too hard.

[andycumbee19 481]

I completely agree that a face mask makes all the difference, I try to get the most simple facemasks I can because I think that looks a lot better. Although I have never been a fan of the running back style facemasks (#8) but there is something about that other one that doesn't look right at all

The one #8 is wearing is the only style I like anymore Lol. Eventhough I strongly disagree on Chris Culliver's views on gay issues, gotta admit I was kinda halfway cheering for him in the SB because his facemask style is the one I prefer. Crazy, No?

[Jungle Jim 848]

I used to root against Joe Theismann because I hated the look of his face mask so much...

On the other hand, I hated the look of Dan Marino's, as well, but for the opposite reason. It was too much face mask for a quarterback...

These two were awfully ugly, as well...

The one in the first photo in the original post is actually my favorite of all-time. It's also the one Riddell chose for their mini helmets, so I may not be alone.

[OnWis97 4,511]

Absolutely. Incidentally, I like #4's facemask better. For me the time this really hit me was when Peyton Manning got his new helmet. I could not stand that mask.

[Coheed 37]

Completely agree. I've always loved this facemask since I was in High School:

But the "new" version so-to-speak isn't very appealing to me at all:

And the worst looking modern facemask in my opinion, is the what I always call "The Peyton":

[andycumbee19 481]

Absolutely. Incidentally, I like #4's facemask better. For me the time this really hit me was when Peyton Manning got his new helmet. I could not stand that mask.

Here is my favorite type of mask:

[Favre pic Removed]

Now that u brought up Favre, I was watching SB 32 again the other day again and I noticed I didn't when I originally watched it 15 years ago. He along with several other Packers had double clips on each side of the mask (one screwing in towards the front of the helmet, one towards the back, directly over each other. I couldn't believe what I was seeing

Edit: Quick Screengrab

[Jezus_Ghoti 1,116]

I still think this one is the best -- two vertical, two horizontal. Worn by the majority of the great quarterbacks to ever play the game:

Also, I find it very distracting when players switch facemasks. Tom Brady flirted with it for a bit, before going back to his old helmet, and it looked so weird.

Like someone else mentioned, Peyton Manning wears what I believe to be the ugliest facemask in football history. Once, he wore a visor with it in training camp (after he hurt his eye, I think) and it looked bizarre:

[Sport 13,751]

I hate when players change their facemask and/or helmet style partway through their career. When that's how you recognize a player on the field it's basically like they changed their face.

My favorite facemask

runner up

[Sport 13,751]

least favorite

but oddly, I like this

oh and I never liked John Lynch that much because his facemask bugged me

[Coheed 37]

least favorite

but oddly, I like this

oh and I never liked John Lynch that much because his facemask bugged me

Yea, the 3-bar does look weird when it only has the 1 horizontal bar up top as opposed to 2.

[andycumbee19 481]

My least favorite:

[DC in Da House w/o a Doubt 3,640]

LT's Vadar mask was sweet... but I firmly believe you have to be a beast to be able to pull custom masks like this off.

[thejblee 26]

Absolutely. Incidentally, I like #4's facemask better. For me the time this really hit me was when Peyton Manning got his new helmet. I could not stand that mask.

Here is my favorite type of mask:

Not a fan. Looks so dated when players still use this aka Tom Brady. Wish he had stuck with the updated facemask.

[phutmasterflex 1,056]

Kurt Warner in his second Super Bowl was one that always bothered me

[sportstar1212 447]

I really don't have a facemasks preference. The only kind I don't like is Justin Tuck's "birdcage" mask.