Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:38 pm EDT

3rd Coolest Helmet(s) in History. Tie: Packers and Colts

By MJD

There's no need to mention the years of the helmets in the headline, because neither of these things have changed. At least not in the last 50 years or so.

They're the kinds of helmets the fans of the respective teams will love, but non-fans might not regard particularly highly. You might look at the Packers helmet and say, "Ooooh, you've got a white 'G' in a green oval, how special. The only cool white 'G' I've ever heard of is Eminem" (note: you probably won't actually say that).

Similarly, if you don't like the Colts, you might look at their helmets and say, "Congratulations, you've got a horseshoe on your helmet. I guess this also qualifies Mr. Ed as a fashion plate."

And that's fine. You don't have to like either of these helmets. To be honest with you, I don't think either of them are great works of art, and it's highly unlikely that I'll ever be purchasing the giant helmet Fathead for either team.

But I do think you should respect the tradition behind these lids. Check out this timeline of the evolution of the Packers helmet. The only thing that's changed about it from the 1960s is that the guy drawing the logo has gotten less drunk. There are some other teams that might've made this list if they'd just been able to leave their helmets alone for the last 30 years. The Broncos come immediately to mind.

So we celebrate you, Packers and Colts, for never giving into the temptation to change your helmets. I'm sure at some point in Colts history, some guy came into a board room and suggested putting a snarling cartoon horse on the Colts' helmets, and someone probably once tried to convince the Packers to put a football-toting meatpacker on the side of their helmets, but they've both resisted. And today, they're rewarded.

Previously:
The Honorable Mentions
#11: Buffalo Bills, '65 - 73
#10: Edmonton Eskimos, '70 - Present
#9: San Diego Chargers, '61 - '73
#8: Iowa Barnstormers, '95 - Present
#7: Cincinnati Bengals, '81 - Present
#6: Philadelphia Stars, '83 - '85
#5: Dallas Cowboys, '77 - 'Present
#4: Houston Oilers, '75 - '80

Thursday:
The 2nd Coolest Helmet of All-Time

Related: Shutdown Eleven: Coolest Helmets

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54 Comments

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  1. Turtle
    1. Posted by Turtle Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    Look at my helmet, lady!
  2. nate
    2. Posted by nate Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    yeah go colts!!!!!!
  3. spencerO96
    3. Posted by spencerO96 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:35 pm EDT

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    browns didn't change either (aside from removing the numbers from the 50's), but theyre probably too lo-tech to get on this list.
  4. tibbadoe
    4. Posted by tibbadoe Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    These helmets are getting more and more boring as we go up the list. What will be #1 helmet, the Cleveland Browns?
  5. Cian
    5. Posted by Cian Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    the packers almost changed their helmet (and rest of the unis) in 1994. then-gm ron wolf was always bothered by the fact that the packers official colors were listed as green and gold, yet on the uniforms and helmet was the eye splitting yellow that we all know and love. the new color scheme was all picked out. the hunter green would remain the same, but the yellow would be replaced by a metallic gold (apparently different from the saints and the 49ers). the stripes on the helmets and pants would be gone too. the pants would be metallic gold as well as outline the numbering, lettering, the g insignia on each sleeve of the uniform. the goal was to simplify the look while updating the yellow to gold, to simultaneously move forward and back (pretty fitting for the franchise).
  6. SB 13
    6. Posted by SB 13 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    Raiders helmet HAS to be in the top 2... love em or hate em, that logo is bada$$
  7. Monk Eeee
    7. Posted by Monk Eeee Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:24 pm EDT

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    If anyone listens to these people who rate the fashon and nostalgia of the NFL, they always pick the Steelers and Oakland at the top.
  8. jacob b
    8. Posted by jacob b Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:27 pm EDT

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    Uh, do the Packers not have photo technology available for their website? I must admit, I teared up a little looking at the artist's rendition of the Brett Favre helmet.
  9. Edwin
    9. Posted by Edwin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    A "G" on the side of a helmet and you go all ga-ga? That's got to be the laziest excuse of all time for a helmet logo. Plus, I would subtract points for not being ashamed enough to change it for 40 years.
  10. surprise_party_2002
    10. Posted by surprise_party_2002 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:49 pm EDT

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    Anacot Steel loves Blue Horseshoe!
    GO COLTS!!!
  11. Paul B
    11. Posted by Paul B Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:20 pm EDT

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    The Green Bay uniform - Perfection in polyester... or whatever it is made out of.
    If we have to explain it to you, you'll never understand anyways.
    Go PACK!!!
  12. Sierra
    12. Posted by Sierra Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:24 pm EDT

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    Go packers I love you and Brett Favre to!!!!!
  13. justathought
    13. Posted by justathought Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Although I am a Packer Backer and do like their uniforms(helmets) I am origanally from MN and am sorry not to see the Viking helmet posted-it's origanal and timeless
  14. Jeremy T
    14. Posted by Jeremy T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    The Colts used to have a horse bucking between the Horse Shoe. Anybody ever play the Historic Madden Teams?
  15. Shamus M
    15. Posted by Shamus M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    I can't believe the Colts and Packers get on the list because they haven't ever changed, and you leave the Bears off even though they've only changed slightly (the "C" changed from white to orange with white trim in the 60's or 70's) in almost 50 years. Colts Pack and Bears might make the top 11 most boring helmets, but not the best.
  16. RAZOR 23
    16. Posted by RAZOR 23 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

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    There is only one problem with the Colts helmet, the fact that the last time I looked there aren't a lot of Colts in Indy. The helmet belongs in Baltimore with its history but Irsay robbed the Colts of that.
    The Green Bay helmut is classic though.
  17. maddog_207
    17. Posted by maddog_207 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    #15 I think that was only the team emblem, not on the helmet.
    Anyways, I love both these helmets. Both are just classics. Although it pains me greatly to see those Colts helmets in Indy instead of where they belong: Baltimore.
  18. Banzai Pipeline
    18. Posted by Banzai Pipeline Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Wasn't the University of Georgia helmet around before the Packers current helmet?
  19. Champ
    19. Posted by Champ Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    "The only cool white 'G' I've ever heard of is Eminem"
    i actually laughed at this
  20. Killzone
    20. Posted by Killzone Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    Haha...You've just gotta laugh at the Packers one.
  21. Pack Attack
    21. Posted by Pack Attack Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:15 pm EDT

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    Cian's story is exactly true except that the official Packer green is "Dark Forest Green" and not Hunter Green.
    Lombardi is responsible for the color change from Blue and gold to green and gold. He also had Dad Brasher, the equipment manager design the helmet logo in 1961. Poor Dad, he probably received nothing for that design.
  22. Pack Attack
    22. Posted by Pack Attack Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:15 pm EDT

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    The Packers have allowed Georgia and Grambling to use this helmet "G" but they hold the trademark
  23. bob s
    23. Posted by bob s Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    GREEN BAY # 1 0r da bears
  24. cj
    24. Posted by cj Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:18 pm EDT

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    .. c'mon, the Bengals helmet & gear are #1 !!
  25. babyfir77
    25. Posted by babyfir77 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

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    I've always like the Packer helmet. Colts, well I remember the awfulness before the Bert Jones era
    and the bad times early on in Indy, but it has grown on me now, and Peyton looks great with it on!
    Thumbs up!

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