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.

Posted by Coach John Rockwell at 09:00 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)

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)