Football helmet shields or visors are attached to the front of the football helmet. Many players from youth football to professional leagues choose to wear these devices on their helmets. The visors are used to help performance and protect the eyes -- and some players simply like the way they look.
Protect Eyes
Visors are attached to the upper part of the face mask on the front of the helmet. Basically this means that they completely cover the eyes and protect the eyes from anything from touching or hitting them. Players often switch to shields after an injury to prevent further injury or reaggravation, whereas other football players prefer to protect the eyes before an injury ever occurs.
Improve Sight
Players wear visors to improve their vision during games in a variety of different weather situations. According to Sports Unlimited, visors can be used to reduce glare from the sun or partially block the sun as sunglasses would. In addition, in rain or snow, some players wear the visors to block moisture from getting into their eyes or contacts. The visor acts as a barrier and players can simply wipe the precipitation from the front of the visor instead of worrying about getting it in their eyes. The barrier effect can also protect the eyes from harsh winds, especially for athletes who wear contacts.
Style
According to college football writer Jake Schaller, visors are a fashion statement similar to headbands or high socks in other sports.Air Force Academy football player Anthony Wright says that he wore a visor for fashion in high school. Players wearing shields for style have no medical or performance-improving motives: They simply want to look cool and wear the device.
Clear Shields
Clear shields are worn in amateur football, meaning college and below, because they are the only visor legal for those levels. Professional players can wear tinted or darkened visors, but college players are not allowed to do so. The NCAA Rules Committee, college football's governing body, outlawed tinted or colored visors in 2007, partly due to safety concerns. Tinted or colored visors prevent trainers or doctors from being able to see the eyes unless the helmet is removed. Often eye movement or dilation is examined closely in head injuries and in serious cases medical personnel prefer not to remove the helmet.
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