Ask just about any former football player if they ever received a concussion or other head injury during their career and the answer to this question will more than likely be yes. Many of the greatest players of the game have had to retire early because doctors advised them that suffering another head injury could cause severe damage they may never recover from. Of course the NFL has come a long way from the early days when players wore the classic leatherhead style of helmet to the modern Pro Line helmets from Riddell.  

The ProLine helmet was the first major helmet change in the NFL for almost 20 years and was a radical new design for protecting the heads of not just professional players but anyone who played the game. Backed by years of research and science the Pro Line was created by Riddell with very specific features to reduce the risks of head injury in those hard impacts that are becoming more and more prevalent in the game.

The helmet itself has a slightly different shape since studies have shown that the majority of head injuries occur to players from hits along the jaw line and the side of the head. For this reason the shape was changed to accommodate different padding and even chinstraps were better designed to not only hold the helmet in place but to help sustain the blow.

For the collector of NFL helmets the Pro Line is the ultimate in memorabilia for the display case. This is THE game day helmet with not only the official team decals but every last detail including the new padding system, chin strap, and the more rounded facemask. These helmets not only perform well for the players but are the absolute best collectible for those looking for a true team branded item.

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It has hard to think of a time when the players in the NFL did not wear protective helmets to protect their heads from injury, but there was such as time. For years players wore absolutely no head protection at all except a select few who choose to wear what was called a head harness. This harness was really more just covering for the ears and these early versions of the classic leatherhead football helmet was not very popular at all.  

Eventually the leatherhead helmet evolved to more of the style that we do remember from the old time films but really the protection provided from these helmets was very minimal and the league did not even require players to wear them if they did not want to. As hard as it is to believe the NFL did not require players to wear a helmet until 1939 though all the other protective gear we are all familiar with was already required.

In 1939 things began to really change and that year John T. Riddell came up with his now famous plastic football helmet, which was the earliest version of the helmet worn by the players of today. These early Riddell helmets were a leap forward for the players but do to a shortage of plastic during the World War they did not truly become as good as they could be until the synthetics began being used.

These Riddell helmets also did not have any team logos or decals on them until some of the Rams players painted horns on theirs in 1948. Other teams quickly followed suit to have a team logo on their helmets. Meanwhile Riddell continued their advances in the construction of the helmets and does still to this day to ensure that the players will be protected from even a direct hit to the head.

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There are many collectors of NFL football helmets all over the country and each has their own requirements for the helmets they want to add to their collection. Of course if you are new to sports merchandise you may be trying to decide which style of helmet you will collect and display in your home.

Many collectors prefer full size NFL helmets since these models are like those worn by the players and not scaled down versions of the real thing. Of course in full size helmets you have your choice between the Pro Line series, which is the exact game day helmet, and replica helmets, which are look-alikes that are not meant for competitive play. For the collector the visual appearance of the helmet is almost exactly the same between the two but the cost at the cash register is very apparent.

NFL replica helmets are more than half the cost of the Pro Line series and yet they look just as great on the shelf and are perfect for collecting. Pro Line helmets include the internal padding and safety features that make them safe for the players in the league to wear on game day while the replica versions do not have the actual safety features. By making the helmet not meant for competitive play you can save a lot of money in features you do not need since the piece will be only sitting on a shelf.

Replica helmets still include internal padding, chinstrap, and facemask so they look like a game day helmet they are just not the robust features that will protect a head from concussion and injury if it receives a blow from a charging linebacker. For the collector who wants to get the most for their money these NFL replica helmets may be just the perfect sports memorabilia for them.

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Ever since the very beginnings of the NFL, players have had to cope with the potential for serious head injuries. In the early days the players had nothing to ward off the force of the blow and it was even considered a badge of courage to take a big hit and get back up again. Eventually a few players started wearing leather head harnesses but very few since these covered the ears and made communication on the field too hard.

Luckily John T. Riddell came along and began eventually making helmets that were somewhat comfortable and yet still easy to play in. These helmets have evolved significantly over the years to help protect the heads of the players in the league. The new NFL helmets have lots of research placed into them which prevent serious injuries as the players continue to get and stronger than ever before. Of course these helmets are still not full proof and many top players still receive career-ending concussions so more work is continually being done.

For the collector of NFL merchandise this means there is a great history behind the helmets worn by the players over many, many seasons from those early plastic Riddell helmets to the newly designed shells of today. The collector can choose to only add the current new NFL helmets to their display case or they can get some great helmets from the teams of long ago.

Of course for many their collection starts when they get a copy of their favorite team, but one it starts they like to get more. Many collectors then start learning all they can about these great helmets and discover the colors, logos, and amazing history that is behind each and every single one. Once you know the story behind each and every NFL helmet collecting them becomes so much more fun.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you watch most any NFL game whether in person or on the television you will quickly see that almost every fan is wearing a jersey from their favorite player to the game. Most fans have a game day outfit they wear to cheer on their favorite team and for many this is based on the team jersey. Kids too can get into the action with a youth jersey set from Booyah Village of their favorite player and team in the league.

If you have not priced kids clothes in quite awhile the jersey alone makes this set a value for customers but since this is a set you get more than that for the low cost. Included with each jersey is a pair of pants as well as a team helmet. For the kid who loves the NFL this is something they will love to wear; game day, outside to play, and just about any time as they pretend they play for their favorite NFL team.

Each jersey and pair of pants is made with double knit polyester for a comfortable and long lasting outfit. The pants are white with a team colored strip while the jersey is the team color with a team logo on the right. To make the set even more fun it comes complete with a set of numbers that can be ironed on so your child can pick the number they want to have on their jersey.

The youth NFL helmets that come in these sets look just like the real thing so game time or even playing that you are a real player on the team feels realistic. These helmets include a foam internal padding along with a facemask and chinstrap so your child can wear the helmet comfortably.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 07:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are a football fan who wants to collect a very large amount of NFL helmets to display the sheer number of helmets involved may require those pieces to be mini versions as opposed to full size models. With 32 teams in the league just collecting the helmet design in current use by each would be a fairly large collection that would take up a lot of space. Then if you decide to collect individual player helmets, novelty colors, and throwback era designs that can lead to hundreds of helmets. Who has room for that many in their home?

Luckily the leading makers of collectible NFL merchandise understand this and create smaller versions of those game day helmets. The Riddell NFL mini helmets as well as the micro versions are scaled down replicas of the real thing. Some people immediately think these helmets are cheap plastic versions until they actually see them and see the quality that goes into these scaled down helmets.

Riddell placed all the details that go into a full size helmet into these mini models that are easier to collect and display due to their smaller size. A mini helmet is half the size of a regular one coming in at about five inches tall. All the details are included such as the internal padding, chinstrap and facemask. These are great looking helmets with official team decals on a shiny ABS based shell.

Once you get a collection going and have these mini NFL helmets displayed on a shelf in your den or rec room you will see just how sharp they look. Plus there is just as much variety in helmets for all the teams in the league to choose from in these scaled down sizes as there is in the full size helmets that are available.

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If you ask some collectors of NFL helmets which size and model they want for their collection of sports memorabilia and the will tell you only Riddell Pro Line helmets will do. For these discernable aficionados of all things NFL feel that if you are going to spend the time and money gathering a collection of NFL football helmets they should be the exact models worn by the players on the field. Why settle for almost like the real thing replica helmets or cute little mini size models when you can have the real deal in your display case?

The NFL Proline helmet from Riddell is the model of choice for those who only want the best collectibles possible, and it does not get any better than this. The Pro Line was the first major redesign in football helmets in almost 20 years and has a very distinct look and design that makes it stand head and shoulders above the replica helmets on the market. This is more than a shiny shell with official team decals; this is the helmet of the players down to the smallest details.

The Pro Line helmet includes the Extended Tru-Curve shell which houses the new padding system that is meant to help reduce the amount of head injuries suffered by the players in the league. It also has the new more rounded facemask design, which is meant to help deflect the blow from the head as well as guard the face.

For the collector there is no other piece of sports merchandise from a team that you can buy that represents and brands the team like the football helmet. And as far as collectible NFL helmets go the ProLine is the only true helmet for the fan who does not want just a replica on their shelves.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Collectors of NFL football helmets have many outlets for places in which they can shop for the memorabilia they are searching for to add to their collection. In the past finding the sports collectibles you were hunting was much more difficult but with the internet and other options available to the collector there is now many more sources for sports collectibles making it easier to get that exact pieces you are searching for.

For those who collected sports merchandise in the beginning finding those collectibles was not easy. For many there were only a few stores that carried sports memorabilia in their area and many times these doubled as comic book stores. These stores usually had a limited amount of merchandise to choose from most often the bulk of it was the closest franchise to the area. This made collecting NFL helmets especially tough and many collectors had to go to trade shows across the country to find the NFL helmet for sale they wanted.

Collectors today have it so easy with the internet making searching for that Pro Line helmet of a certain team or even a throwback helmet for a exceptional era just a few clicks away. With online sports collectibles shops, auction sites, and nationwide classified ads the collector can find exactly what he or she is looking for. This not only makes finding the items you want easier it also makes it easier to get them at a more than fair price. Since it is now easier for buyers to find all the sellers out there these retailers must offer their collectibles at the best price possible.

It has never been a better time to be a collector of NFL merchandise since the hobby has only gotten more popular and the chances to find the pieces you want more plentiful.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ask any collector of NFL merchandise and especially full size replica helmets what their biggest problem is and that will be their children wanting to wear the helmets. It is only natural for kids who love football to want to put on the helmet and jersey and play football with their friends. Of course standing by the display case and just trying it on will not harm the collectible but taking it outside and actually getting it dirty and scratched up can really hurt the value of the memorabilia for the collector.

Of course for the collector who had kids around you can keep your pieces in the display case and looking their best by simple getting your kids involved with the hobby. Teach them the thrill of looking for and finding that one helmet that will compliment those you already have. This will help them see that these are not toys to be played with but instead valuable treasures so to speak that need to be taken care of.

Of course you can help them out by getting them one of their very own kids NFL helmets they can wear to play in. These helmets come as part of the youth jersey set from Booyah Village. Any team from the league is available so you can get a helmet and jersey for your kids in a team they love. And since this set is made just for them your kids can wear it all the time and leave the collectible NFL helmets on the shelf where they belong. Outfit your children with these jersey sets with a great NFL helmet that will be all their own. These helmets include foam padding, facemask, and chinstrap so they can feel just like they are a NFL player on game day ready to take on the other team.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If there were one team in the NFL that everyone has an opinion on that would have to be the Dallas Cowboys without any doubts. The so-called Americas Team is one of those in the NFL that fans either love or cannot stand, there seems to be no middle ground. Of course it is hard to say exactly why this team invokes so much passion in the fans of the NFL but love them or hate them the Cowboys are one of the teams that is usually in the midst of the playoff hunt each and every year.

Maybe it is because Dallas has the nerve to call themselves Americas Team when they play in a league made of nothing but teams from the United States. Or maybe it is just the fact that this team has a long history of being boastful and having players that were some of the best in the game. Of course there are many stories on how the term America’s team came to be associated with the Cowboys. Some claim that it came from the team themselves, while others say the term was coined by the press, while still others have a story that it came from the heads of the league. Whichever story is the right now the nickname stuck and this makes the team one of the most debated in the NFL about whether they are actually the best or not.

For the fans of the team cheering them on to victory and collecting the team memorabilia is a year round activity that shows their love of the Boys. Whether it is a Dallas Cowboys mini helmet on their desk at work or a jersey of their favorite player worn to the game these fans are some of the most devoted of all the fans in the league. Some feel that you do not become a Cowboys fan but are born one.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the best parts of being a fan of the NFL is more often than not it is something you do with your friends and many times even your family. Whether you all cheer for the same team or everyone roots for a different squad getting together for game day is a whole lot of fun.

For many this love of the NFL or their favorite team or even player ends up becoming a hobby that they spend their free time doing. Whether they choose to collect sports memorabilia such as Riddell NFL helmets like the players wear each and every time they play or if they choose to play in a fantasy football league it is even more fun when done with family.

As more families are spending less time together it becomes even more important for them to find common ground to come together and give each other their time. Of course watching the football game is fun but collecting things like NFL helmets together is something you can do all year round. There is nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt looking for that helmet that will be the perfect one to add to your collection.

Taking the time to look for these helmets and find the mini or full size ones that are perfect for you is a great way for fathers to spend time with sons. Or even daughters to be with their moms. Some families even approach the hobby as a business and make their football helmet choices based on which models will be in the highest demand by other collectors and therefore worth more money in the collectibles market. Many others also like to get their helmets autographed and will travel together to meet the players at meet and greet events just to get a signature on their team helmet.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

NFL memorabilia collectors love to add the latest team helmets to their collections and to try and find those throwback models that are will complete their display. One of the most popular sizes for helmet collectors are the mini versions which are half the size and yet more than a third of the cost of a comparable full size game day helmet. These helmets are really fun to collect for not just individuals but as a family who loves football. 

Mini NFL helmets can be a great hobby for the football fan and is an excellent way to continue to enjoy football even when the season is over. Helmets are available for sale on the internet, in collectible shops, as well as through private sales all year round so your hunt for the ones you are missing can go on even when the teams are not hitting the fields every week.

A NFL mini helmet collection can be the perfect decoration for a rec room or TV room in the home. Many families love football so much that their décor in the family room where they watch TV is also their sports memorabilia collection. Since mini helmets are smaller they can be placed on shelves, alongside the TV, and even on the end tables to help show your love for the sport. Plus this is a great way to show off the helmet collection you have spent consider time putting together.

Of course if you value these items as more than just memories of a sport you love and want them to be true collectibles that are worth something not only to you but other collectors care will be need to be taken to ensure they continue to look just like new. Helmets which are stored in plastic cubes will be less likely to get scratches or have the decals accidentally removed so that they can retain their value so your collection is one to be proud of.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Of course adults are not the only ones who enjoy collecting NFL memorabilia and football helmets from their favorite teams. Kids love not only to watch and cheer for their favorite team they also like to dream that they are part of the action. For the kids who love football and have a team that they follow closely parents can get them a NFL youth uniform set so that they can not only have a cool collectible but one they can wear at that.

For kids nothing is more fun than putting on that football helmet and pretending you are part of the action on the field. With a youth jersey set from Booyah Village kids can do even more than that! With a matching football pant and youth sized jersey combined with a NFL football helmet for kids this puts them in the game. Whether they want to catch the winning touchdown or sack the quarterback when he drops back to be the hero of the game your kids can dream big in this football set.  

Of course parents do need to remember that this jersey set for kids is just a fun collectible. Despite the fact that the kids NFL football helmet looks like the real thing it is not intended for actual competitive wear. The kids helmet does include foam padding, adjustable chinstrap, as well as a facemask for a authentic feel your kids will love to wear.

If you collect NFL football helmets and your children always want to wear your valuable memorabilia than consider getting them their own to wear. Get them started on the road to their very own collection of items for their favorite team with this jersey set that includes a fun NFL helmet they can wear as they dream about their future football career.

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For the NFL sports memorabilia collector colleting authentic helmets is a great addition to your display case. Of course with all collectibles the higher the demand for the item the more the price tag will be for those trying to buy and sell the item. But there are also those, which are cheap knock offs that are trying to cash in on the value of that collectible. For NFL helmets this means unauthorized helmets that are poorly made and will not have the value for the collector that they may be hoping to get.

For the collector to get the most for his money and have the best piece for his or her collection they need to ensure that they get official NFL helmets when they purchase memorabilia. There are many companies producing helmets for collectors and not all of them are authorized by the NFL to do so. On these non-authorized pieces of memorabilia the workmanship on these helmets are not always constructed well. The decals are poorly applied and the little details that make a quality collectible may not always be there.

Official NFL helmets on the other hand are extremely well made and will look great in the display case of the collector. These helmets have authentic team decals that are firmly attached to high-quality shells. Each helmet is finished off with the little details usually including internal pads, facemasks, and chinstraps that make a helmet just like those worn by the players on game day.

If you are going to collect NFL football helmets isn’t it worth it to ensure that the headgear you purchase is the best it can be. Why spend your hard earned money on poorly made collectibles that are not worth the initial investment and will not be worth anymore in the future.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For the discerning collector these NFL helmets from Riddell are the cream of the crop. No other helmet is as respected in the industry and carries such respect. Add value to your sports collectible by getting one of the top players of the team to autograph your piece. A autographed Revolution Pro Line helmet can be the centerpiece of just about any collector and if you like to resale your collectibles for a profit this will fetch a very high price in a sports memorabilia auction. Get a authentic Pro Line helmet of just your favorite team of collect the whole league for the best collection around.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While come collectors love the mini and micro football helmets that are available for the NFL teams still others will not accept anything less than full size models that look just like those worn on game day. To these collectors the smaller scaled down versions are just kid’s toys and not the real deal.

For these collectors there are still options such as do they want the authentic Pro Line helmets which are the actual game day models worn by the players on the field. Or do they want to collect the deluxe replica versions of these NFL full size helmets, which are just like the game day Pro Line models but not intended for actual competitive play.

Either one you choose these helmets will cost more than the smaller scaled down versions and they will of course take up more room for the collector to display since they are larger. But for the collector these NFL helmets are one of the most sought after pieces of sports memorabilia.

Whether you choose to display your helmets as they come or if you choose to combine helmet collecting with that of collecting the autographs of players both types of full size helmet is perfect for the job. Many autograph collectors feel that for NFL players having them sign their team helmet is the ultimate in sports collectibles. Since the helmet is the one piece of gear that is so team specific with the color schemes and team decals that when signed by the player you have a unique item that cannot be totally duplicated.

Whether you are looking at the replica full size NFL helmets or the Pro Line models both include the details of internal padding, chinstrap, and steel facemask. The difference of course is the Riddell Pro Line helmets are the actual game day helmets with the same built in safety features, which protect the heads of all the players in the NFL.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Like it or not collecting NFL football helmets can get rather expensive and can take up a lot of space in your home. Full size helmets do cost more and if you choose to collect models from every team in the league the price can grow really high really quickly. Plus once you buy them you may not have a good way to display them all since these helmets take up so much more space than many other sports collectibles.

Luckily the makers of some of the best NFL helmets and collectibles, Riddell, has thought about this and make some smaller sized helmets for collectors that also cost a whole lot less to buy. These other helmet sizes are referred to, as mini, micro and even pocket sizes with each being a scaled down version of the real thing but with still all the great details that make them look authentic.

NFL mini helmets from Riddell are one half size of a regular game day helmet so they take up less space and are generally less than a third of the price of a replica full size helmet. These helmets still include all the features that a collector wants such as a bright painted shell that has the official team decals and colors plus the small details have not been left out. With internal padding, a chinstrap, as well as an authentic facemask including the Z2Bstyle these helmets are just like game day helmets only smaller.

Mini football helmets are also a great option for the first time collector who wants to get started with a fun yet still team branded piece of merchandise. Whether they are 41 years old or 14 these helmets can get them started with a fun hobby that has the thrill of the chase as well as the fun of competition both on the field and in the collectibles market.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For the collector of NFL helmets the choices are almost limitless to what you can add to your collection to make it unique and special. Whether you are collecting the helmets of your favorite team or for all the teams in the league there are some great items available to make your collection the talk of the other football memorabilia collectors you know.

One great addition to any collection is NFL throwback helmets that celebrate the great teams of the past and their various team logos and color schemes. Just about every franchise that has been in the league for some time has undergone a change in uniforms including team logo and the helmets that display them. In many cases these changes have a great story behind them or are based on a move the team made to another city. These make wonderfully unique items that can be added to a collection that will set it apart from the same old collection of helmets for every team in the league. Plus they are a must have for the fan who strives to get every piece of team memorabilia for their favorite NFL team.  

These throwback helmets or as some call them retro are just like other helmets in that they are available in various sizes and styles. This allows a collector to keep their throwback helmets consistent with the rest of their collection. From full size throwback NFL helmets to the smaller mini there is the perfect size for any collector.

Many of these throwback helmets are a great conversation piece since the team decal and colors changed significantly from those worn by the team today. Surprise your friends with your in-depth knowledge of not only the team but of their past uniforms and equipment to show that you are the ultimate sports memorabilia collector.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 01:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For the football fan that has decided they want to collect official NFL team helmets there is still a lot of decisions to be made regarding the pieces they will eventually add to their collection. The amount of helmets available on the market can be overwhelming to the new collector coming into the world of sports merchandise.

If you do not know much about the collectibles market it would be easy to assume that each team has one helmet that is just like their game day headgear and so there are only 32 helmets to collect. This is far from the case since there are many types of NFL helmets that a collector can get to show off in their rec room. With authentic game day helmets, full size replicas, mini helmets, micro team helmets, and even throwback models available for each team the sheer amount of helmets can be mind-boggling. It is so much more than game day models just like the players wear.

Any collector needs to seriously look at their budget and space available when they decide what size of helmet they plan on collecting. Authentic Pro Line helmets, which are exact game models, can be a little pricey and since they are full size they can take up quite a bit of room so displaying many of them can be an issue. While micro and mini helmets are scaled down versions that include the details of chinstraps, internal padding, and facemasks but in smaller easier to display models that are also more affordable.

Of course some collectors go with their heart and only collect the NFL helmets of their favorite team. For these individuals getting every helmet design worn by the team and in every size available is the goal of their collection. This takes a lot of the questions out of collecting helmets and makes it a very personal thing for their particular passion in the league.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Anyone who collects sports memorabilia knows that this is one hobby that can quickly grow out of control. There are so many sports collectibles for each and every sport that if you try and get them all you will quickly overextend any budget and fill every room in your home. Plus if you are trying to get your hands on every collectible available you will really not be very successful at making this a fun hobby for yourself and your family. So right from the start a collector needs to set boundaries on what they want to collect and they need to stick to these boundaries in order to be a successful collector.

Now that you know you should try to select only a few things to collect it is now time to decide what you want to focus on. Some of these decisions will be easy such as what sport is your favorite, and the one you want to collect sports memorabilia for. For each sport there are certain items that are more prominent for collectors than they are for other sports. For example many football fans collect NFL helmets since these are an excellent piece of team branded merchandise and make a great item to get autographed for a high-end piece of memorabilia.

When collecting these official NFL helmets, or any other sports merchandise, the temptation is there to get everything you can all at once. Of course if your budget allows this, go for it. But for the rest of us we will need to pace ourselves to acquire these items a little at a time. Besides it does not take anything special to run out and buy every NFL helmet for your display case and that is not really the point of collecting. For many it is the thrill of the chase to find the collectibles you need to add to your collection combined with the satisfaction that you drove a hard bargain and got a great deal on the pieces you want to own.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)