How did the equipment in football change over time in the NFL?
It’s hard to imagine how far removed current NFL stars like Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are from the early pioneers of football. Sure, players these days are bigger, faster and stronger, but one of the biggest changes in the game has been the evolution of equipment. Football players have gone from being barely protected from the tackles and violence of the sport to being modern-day gladiators. Here are some stories behind this changing equipment.HelmetsHelmets are the most obvious piece of equipment that’s changed over the years. Helmets began as nothing more than a simple leather cap with ear flaps, but as technology changed–and advanced materials like plastics became available–the equipment adjusted. By the 1960s, helmets looked more like we know them today, with a plastic shell, inside padding and a face mask. The face mask on a helmet evolved as well from a single bar to the cage-like style we have today. The ProCap is a recent innovation that guards against concussions, especi
