Football gear is vital to the safety and optimal performance of every football player. Football gear is made of lightweight material designed to absorb intense impact. The game includes numerous head-to-head collisions, and protective equipment helps prevents head and facial injury, as well as bruising and trauma to various parts of the body.
History
Protective equipment was sparse in the early days of American football. Players wore leather helmets with no facial protection, along with thin, moleskin uniforms offering minimal protection of other body areas. Therefore, broken noses, broken bones and concussions were commonplace. Football historian Bruce Stewart reported on a disturbing "Chicago Times" article in which it was claimed that 18 football players died and 159 were been seriously injured between 1869, when the first official game was played, and 1905. These tragic circumstances led to football changing rules and developing safety equipment.
Modern
Protective equipment is highly advanced in the modern era of football. Helmets and shoulder pads are composed of lightweight, unbreakable plastic. Foam protective equipment on various parts of the body is required by football rules. The physical nature of the game means injuries will always occur, but no reported deaths during a football game have occurred since the 1920s.
Upper Body
Helmet and shoulder pads are protective equipment required by football rules. Rib and core protection such as a flak jacket is optional protective equipment, and consists of soft foam padding to absorb the impact of hits to the ribs. Rib protection is often worn by quarterbacks who expose the rib area in the motion of throwing a pass.
Lower Body
Football pants are made of heavy duty, stretchable material that is designed to sustain the grabbing and pulling it is often subjected to during a football game. Football pants are designed with pockets on the inside to easily fit foam thigh and knee padding into, and hold it in place during a football game. Shin guards are worn by many players to protect the lower legs.
Research
Professional bodies such as the NFL perform research on how to optimize the safety and performance of football gear. During 2009, the NFL performed research on helmets and the protection they offered during high-speed collisions. NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash said that the study would not only influence equipment design, but would also indicate if any rule changes could maximize the safety offered during football games.
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