Question: Why aren't the cowboy collars/neck braces used anymore?

[bamatex82]

It just accorded to me that I don't see these anymore or I'm not very observant. Used to be linebackers and fullbacks would have these. I also remember a neck brace that was like a thick padded fan that extended from the base of the neck to the back of the helmet. Has there been a rule change or something? Is there another reason for not using them? Or are my powers of observation slipping?

 

[WAR]

Good question! :conf2:

 

[gmart74]

I noticed that TR had a black rubber/foam thing that extended from the back of his helmet. it was a lot smaller than the old styles but definitely looked like some kind of pad thing.

 

[WMack4Bama]

I noticed that TR had a black rubber/foam thing that extended from the back of his helmet. it was a lot smaller than the old styles but definitely looked like some kind of pad thing.

That's nothing foam underneath Trent's helmet. It's a head wrap to retain his dreads. Another player on our team with dreads (I'm thinking Jerrell Harris) also uses one, while others like Julio and Cody let theirs hang from the bottom. It should be noted though that Trent's dreads are much longer than theirs.

Edgerrin James, of Miami Hurricane and Indianapolis Colts fame, who helped make dreads very popular for kids coming out of Florida, cut his long dreads after about 6 or 7 years in the NFL because he said being tackled by his dreads and having them pulled on in the piles was no fun

 

[calhexas]

It just accorded to me that I don't see these anymore or I'm not very observant. Used to be linebackers and fullbacks would have these. I also remember a neck brace that was like a thick padded fan that extended from the base of the neck to the back of the helmet. Has there been a rule change or something? Is there another reason for not using them? Or are my powers of observation slipping?

Dareus uses a cowboy collar and Harris uses a butterfly collar I believe.

 

[bamatex82]

Dareus uses a cowboy collar and Harris uses a butterfly collar I believe.

Thanks! I figured they were still being used, just couldn't eyeball one. I guess they are smaller and less prominent now. I will have to look more carefully...