Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians got many NFL fans excited last year when he said the team’s creamsicle throwback uniforms could be making a comeback in 2021 in an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
The reason this is exciting for fans is that the NFL is currently under a one-helmet rule, which means players can only wear one helmet per year. It was established in 2013 as the “one-shell rule” with player safety in mind.
With the 2020 season in the rearview mirror, the NFL is currently reviewing the rule, although no decision has been made, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
When the rule was established, the NFL argued that one worn-in helmet was much safer than breaking in new helmets throughout the course of a season. With technology rapidly improved since 2013, and with so many companies focused on making safer helmets, now feels like the right time to review the rule.
Some prominent players have advocated for a change, with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry most recently pleading his case.
Single digits cool & all , but can we bring the throwback jerseys & helmets back ? Somebody put in a request for that lol .
— Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) April 9, 2021
Changing the one-helmet rule would allow a team like the Titans to wear the old Houston Oilers’ throwback jerseys with the matching helmet.
This would also create an interesting situation for the Washington Football Team. Washingon has many throwback helmets, some of which would be off the table due to the name change, yet others that would be wildly popular with longtime fans.
This change would not only be popular with players and fans, but it would create another source of revenue for the league. That’s what matters.
It’s time, NFL. Make the change.