Helmet, Football
Object number2014.77.1
Manufacturer
Riddell Sports Group
Date1959-1961
MediumRubber; Metal; Paint; Leather; Cotton; Rope
Credit LineGift of Tom White
DescriptionFootball helmet painted yellow with black stripe down center from back to front. Black player number on left and right sides. Single gray painted metal facemask guard across front attached by two bolts on both sides. Former facemask guard mounts intact on the helmet sides under the intact facemask. Proper right top facemask mount and proper left lower facemask mount have inscribed maker text and patent number; the text on the proper left lower mount is inverted. One earhole on each side behind facemask. Six small holes on crown. Black maker text on back at bottom, right of black stripe. Inside of helmet has protective padding and head armature made from leather, cotton, rubber, metal, and rope. Interior rubber disk that sits atop the head has raised maker text and patent numbers. Cotton webbing has stamped black number.Dimensions9.5 x 9 x 12.5 in. (24.1 x 22.9 x 31.8 cm)InscriptionsBlack "62" on left and right sides. On the proper left side the "2" is intact, but only the outline of the "6" remains.
On the proper right side the "6" is intact, but only the outline and some black remains of the "2".
MarksBlack text "RIDDell" on back at bottom, right of black stripe.
Interior rubber disk that sits atop the head has raised text "RIDDELL / SUSPENSION HELMET / PATENT NO. 2250275 / 2293308 2359387 / OTHER PATS. PEND."
Proper right top facemask mount and proper left lower facemask mount have inscribed text "RIDDEll / U.S. PAT. / No 2785406"; the text on the proper left lower mount is inverted.
Cotton webbing has stamped black text "7856".
Historical NotesGame-used helmet, most likely worn by guard Mike Sandusky, #62, from 1959 to 1961. The Pittsburgh Steelers used this type of helmet from 1959-1961. In 1962 the Steelers logo was added to the right side of the helmets. Mike Sandusky is the only Steeler to wear #62 during that period. Label TextProfessional football players had limited options for protective head gear until the late 1950s. Not required to wear helmets in the NFL until 1943, most players wore only simple leather head gear. In 1949, the NFL mandated plastic helmets, and in the mid-1950s, the single face bar was added. Players such as Sandusky, who spent nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, were subject to repeated injuries. He recalled suffering multiple concussions throughout his career
Related person
Michael Sandusky
(born 1935)
Related institution
Pittsburgh Steelers
Related institution
Marbon Corporation
Related institution
National Football League
Related institution
United States Rubber Company
Subjects
On View
On view
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1959
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