Good morning, Uni Watchers. A happy Hump Day to one and all.
ICYMI: there were a couple of late(r) articles yesterday, a terrific Auction Action! from Mike Engle, and later still, Jamie Rathjen had the details on a pair of new kits for FC Bayern and Manchester City which they’ll wear at the Club World Cup later this year.
Now then.
There wasn’t really any major uni news yesterday, so this morning’s lede will be a bit shorter than usual.
Only days after a (now former?) Steelers fan made news for burning his signed Minkah Fitzpatrick jersey in protest of the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers, Mr. Rodgers is making headlines of his own.
Rodgers famously preferred the Schutt Air XP Q11 helmet, which he had worn for many seasons. Unfortunately for him, the NFL banned that helmet, so he can’t wear it this upcoming season. If that sounds somewhat familiar to you, it’s because Rodgers’ favored hat was almost banned last year. The NFL’s helmet rating system listed the Schutt as “not recommended for player use” last year, but they allowed Rodgers to wear that model with the Jets in 2024.
This season, the model’s use is prohibited. And, predictably, Rodgers isn’t happy.
Since joining the Steelers and heading to mini-camp, Rodgers has been trying to find a helmet that is to his liking, but so far, it’s to no avail. The excellent Mike Garafolo had this bit:
Aaron Rodgers was trying on multiple helmets in the #Steelers’ equipment room today. He’s working to find a new one this season.
“I can’t stand the helmet. I’ve worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn’t pass the safety standards.” pic.twitter.com/DJ1WlfnF5L
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 10, 2025
He further elaborated on Rodgers’ now-banned helmet:
Rodgers’ preferred helmet was the Schutt Air XP Q11, which was listed as “not recommended” last year and is now prohibited. pic.twitter.com/a8pgzig0yx
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 10, 2025
One hopes Rodgers will find a helmet to his liking soon.
It would be easy to bash Rodgers for this, given his rather controversial off-field activities and beliefs, but I do empathize with him on the equipment issue. While I’ve never played football at any level above Peewee/Pop Warner (and am no helmet expert by any means), I played baseball, hockey, tennis and some soccer in my youth, and softball as well as tennis, golf and of course, curling, as an adult. I am very particular about my equipment, especially with clubs and my rackets, and once I got used to the feel, I found it difficult to change what worked. So, if Rodgers feels that helmet worked for him, I can relate.
On the other hand, the writing has apparently been on the wall for a while that the helmet would be banned for this season, so Rodgers should have been expecting this. Had he not at least experimented with one of the newer/approved models last season? Did he think he might retire and therefore having to find a new helmet would be a moot point?
And you helmet guys out there — can you identify the helmet Rodgers was wearing at mini-camp yesterday?
Anyway, I’m sure Rodgers will eventually find a helmet he likes. But maybe the guy who burned the shirt in protest of the Rodgers signing wasn’t completely wrong…
Thoughts?
Old folks like Aaron and myself don’t like change! Aaron should do what I did and retire. From what we have seen the past few years; the issue will become moot within three games when Aaron becomes injured or the Steelers bench him realizing he is four years past his expiration date as a player.
Scoreboard, August 31, 2004 at yankee Stadium, worst defeat at home and period in yankees history. Tied for worst shutout loss ever as well. Indians 22, Yankees 0. Bad memory.
Only three home runs, too – Coco Crisp with one on in the 5th, and a pair of 3-run shots from Jody Gerut and Victor Martinez in the 9th. Crisp scored 4 runs himself, while V-Mart and Omar Visquel had 4 RBIs each. In fact, the only Cleveland batter who didn’t score a run or get an RBI was John McDonald, who got the first outs in the 7th and 9th innings. And the only other batter without a hit was Casey Blake, but he got an RBI when he was walked with the bases loaded.
Why would anyone thinking that Rogers off-field activities and beliefs are controversial or not, have any bearing on him preferring a certain helmet? Every athlete everywhere has personal equipment preferences.
The thought is that his helmet, and its lack of real head protection, has caused his off-field behavior and change of character.
Oh, it’s because the two things are both informed by Aaron’s scientific illiteracy. It’s telling that he said, “somehow it finally didn’t pass the safety standards.” He doesn’t understand complicated things like the testing methods and advanced statistics that go into setting these standards. See, it’s just the same as how he doesn’t understand how vaccines work, for example. He literally cannot understand the many scientific publications that demonstrate that there is no connection between vaccines and autism.
Do you understand my point?
Rodgers is wearing a Schutt F7 Pro
Additional details here
link
It looks like he’s wearing the new Schutt F7 Pro, so same manufacturer, but apparently he’s still not a fan.
The F7 Pro is a bigger shell than the old Air XP shell – the Air XP was the last of the old-school small offset helmets in production that didn’t have the flex panels/large vents/etc. of the modern helmet designs.
Rodgers was being a bit hyperbolic though when he said he had been wearing these “for 25 years”; it’s more like 14 – he changed from the even older Riddell VSR-4 to an earlier version of the Air XP in 2011 after having some concussion issues in 2010.
Re Aaron Rodgers:
Awww, too bad, Boo-Boo. Maybe you should consider retirement if you can’t get your way.
A bit of news yesterday – Ottowa came out with a new 3rd jersey
A lot of what Rodgers has said over the past several years sounds like what you’d expect from a guy who’s taken a few too many blows to the head so maybe the cat’s out of the bag already. Just let him wear what he wants. Maybe the next blow will knock some sense back into him. Who knows.
You know, I had the exact same thought
They’re playing a spot that’s so fast and brutal and are being well paid for it, the NFL should let certain equipment be grandfathered in as long as players sign off on that they’re aware of the risk.
Oh no! He won’t look like the Great Gazoo this year?????? LOL
link
The unintentional irony in your statement being that Rodgers was one of the last NFL players who DID NOT wear an oversized helmet – the Schutt Air XP was the last of the old-school “small offset” helmets. Because it didn’t have the oddball plates/cutouts/etc. that newer models have it looked bigger/rounder until you put it side-by-side with a modern helmet.
I’ll admit I’m predisposed to disagree with or dislike virtually everything that comes out of Rodgers’s mouth because I find him an absolutely insufferable jackass, but it’s not like he hadn’t already been made aware that the helmet was not approved.
The NFL is over a barrel here. For years they have (rightfully) taken shit from the NFLPA and the public about not doing enough to protect players, particularly from CTE. Now when they try to hold the line on something they have determined isn’t safe, they get shit about how players get attached to their equipment, why can’t he wear what he wants, blah blah blah.
The league determined the helmet isn’t safe. Aaron Rodgers isn’t bigger, smarter, or more important than the league. I’m sure he’s not the first player who had a helmet or some other piece of equipment prohibited.
Good grief, I can’t wait for this whining little narcissist to retire.
Kind of reminds me of the Antonio Brown riff about his helmet.
Mind over matter, A.R. Attachment is one of the five unskillful mental states. The understanding of impermanence is crucial for achieving helmet nirvana.
— Instant Google Buddhist
They should just let Rodgers go helmetless, there isn’t much to protect there.
Maybe wear a regular construction hardhat? That will endear him to some of the Steelers faithful.
They might’ve been a little late with that helmet ban. Guy’s already brain dead.
“Aaron Rodgers upset” is the least surprising development in human history.
Not a Rodgers fan but can understand being annoyed at having an equipment change rule affecting you. I only played HS football but the goal was to get every pad tight on your body so that it felt like it was part of you. Heck, I sometimes keep my running shoes too long because I hate the process of breaking in a new pair. I sympathize
“It would be easy to bash Rodgers for this, given his rather controversial off-field activities and beliefs…”
I guess some people feel that way…I never did…
In a league that has seen the likes of Mike Vick, John Gruden, Ray Carruth, Buddy Ryan(original Bountygate), Aaron Hernandez, Dan Snyder, Deshawn Watson, Tyreek Hill, Brett Favre(charity fraud), Orenthal Simpson, even the rather controversial Roger Goodell…Rodgers and his “activities and beliefs” strike me as eccentric at the very worst..
YMMV B- )
Every time I see those Steelers practice jerseys, I can’t help but think how they’d make a great game jersey with a couple of tweaks.
Add some sleeve numbers, and a contrasting collar. And include a black jersey with gold sleeves and numbers. I’d wear that.
Of course, keep the classic jersey as well, but give it block numbers. The italic looks better on the practice jerseys than it does on the classics.
Given the NFL has a history of “grandfather” clauses in helmet safety rules (see Scott Player’s single bar facemask), I suspect Rodgers was hoping that given his status as a well-known player that he might be able to get similar treatment for his preferred helmet if he is vocal enough.
But it is a positive thing that the NFL is now less likely to compromise on player safety, the standards and images they set influence players at all levels. Here’s hoping they don’t backslide there, and that Rodgers can find an acceptable new helmet.
They don’t grandfather any more. Antonio Brown has a big fit when his helmet model was discontinued and the Raiders wouldn’t let him wear it at practice.
Nobody’s taken a stab at GTGFTU, so… I’m going to say January 15, 1991 at Madison Square Garden, with the Rangers and Oilers playing to a 2-2 tie. It was one of only three games at MSG that Brian Leetch and John Vanbiesbrouck played in against Mark Messier’s Oilers. The other two were 3/24/88 (Rangers win 6-1, in which Leetch scored his first NHL goal on Grant Fuhr, but the end boards had no ads) and 2/7/90 (Rangers win 5-2). What makes me pick the 1991 game is that it appears that Leetch’s NOB is vertically arched, a feature the Rangers introduced in the 1990-91 season.
Well it’s definitely not 1988, because the Oilers had Nike on the players’ back left, not CCM on the back right. ;-)
I remember Tom Brady went through the same thing. I get players being attached to their favorite equipment.
So he’s actually “doing his own research” this time?
God, I can’t wait until he’s finally gone so everybody can stop talking about him…
Jeez, just imagine if Rodgers had signed with the Cowboys. ESPN would need its own spinoff network to handle all the 25/8 bloviation.
Why wouldn’t he have been grandfathered in? We’ve seen this plenty of times in sports such as the NHL and MLB requiring helmets after a certain date. Plus, I’m pretty sure he’ll be retiring at the end of the season so just let him wear the helmet.
Guess the Game from Uniforms answer
The photo is the Brian Leetch jersey for auction, in action. Sorry if the photo obscured the NOB. You would need to know that it’s straight, not VAL.
Even if the auction description didn’t say that this was the last year of the Rangers’ straight NOB’s, 1989-90 was also the first year that the Edmonton Oilers’ jersey contractor’s logo was on the back right tail…aka the normal spot without having to accommodate now-a-LA King Wayne Gretzky. Both of those features being visible in the photo, that gives us the year 1989-90. The advertisement for electronics store (Nobody Beats) The Wiz places the game in New York, and not Edmonton, even if you didn’t know that this was during a white at home era. With the Rangers hosting the Oilers in the 1989-90 season, the date should be either October 25, 1989, or else February 7, 1990. Luckily, also in the photo is #34 John Vanbiesbrouck, who did not play in the October 25 game. That leaves Feb. 7, 1990 as the final answer for the date of this game!
I know this is big news for the haters — another excuse to pile on just because he holds a few different views. But the truth is, he’s a great NFL player. It’s unfortunate that his comments about disliking the helmet are being blown up online. What’s really sad: his frustration, or the fact that the internet instantly turns it into clickbait and rage bait?
This is probably Rodgers’ last year in the NFL. As a 20 year veteran, just grandfather the helmet he likes. Make him sign a waiver and let the older players wear the helmets they like. The NFL has so much turnover that it’ll be just a couple of seasons before all the banned helmets are out of the game.
It didn’t pass safety standards? That might explain how his brain has been working the past few years. Yikes.
Is there a single person who thinks this’ll end well?
Lol following this piece with a GTGFTU featuring Messier’s Joffa.
GTGFTS – August 31, 2004, Yanks drubbed by Cleveland. the worst defeat in Yankees history. Five years earlier on July 24, 1999, the Yankees beat Cleveland 21-1.
It’s a good thing the Raiders traded for Geno Smith and didn’t sign Rodgers after all. otherwise it would be flashbacks to Antonio Brown.
That makes me think. Were we as fans deprived of humor by not getting Brown and Rodgers on the same team? Imagine what that could have been for us (not so much for the organization they were on.. lol)?