I've been musing about NFL helmet design for the past few weeks, trying to decide which helmets I liked the best. And the results are in.
1. Rams. I've always thought the big-horn-sheep thing gave the Rams the best helmet. Actually, it used to be better, with the horn curling around toward the middle. I don't like the current design as well, but included it because of my historical fondness.
2. Vikings. The dual wings have been part of the helmet for a long time. No sense changing something that works. I actually like it better than the current Rams helmet.
3. Buffalo Bills. I think this is a real sharp design.
4. Colts. Simple, timeless, easily-identifiable.
5. Steelers. I don't understand this design, with the three stars or diamonds or whatever they are. What's it have to do with "steelers"? But I've always liked the helmet. Look intimidating, for some reason.
6. Packers. A simple G, green on yellow. Several helmets just use initials from the team. This would be my favorite. Though I don't know why they stopped with just the G. Why not GB?
7. 49ers. I don't know how you illustrate "49ers," so a simple SF works.
8. Raiders. This logo looks mean. The Raiders have a mean reputation. Pussycats for the past several years, but their helmet still works.
9. Giants. Just the initials, but it works for me.
10. Bengals. Great design, using the bengal tiger stripes. I used to like it a lot better than I do now.
11. Dolphins. The dual stripes across the top make this helmet work for me, not just the logo.
12. Saints. Not sure what that symbol is, but it makes for a distinctive helmet.
I'll give honorable mentions to the Eagles, Chiefs, Seahawks, and Redskins. I could easily put the Chiefs helmet in the second 6, though I'm not sure which one it would displace.
About the Cowboys helmet: What's with the star? What does that have to do with anything?
And the all-time worst, most boring helmet definitely goes to the Cleveland Browns.
All the other helmets are stupid.
Career-wise, I've been hanging around and writing about and cheering on churches and pastors for the past 25 years as my denomination's Communications Director.
The logo on the Pittsburgh helmet is the logo for U.S. Steel. Take away the "ers" and it's identical. I've always thought it strange it only appears on one side of the helmet.
I think the Jacksonville Jaguars have a cool helmet with the Jaguar on the side. As for my Cardinals, nothing too intimidating about a red bird, so I could see that one being left out. The Browns are the Penn State of the NFL, with the most boring uniforms and helmets.