Black NFL Players Still Wear Their Hair in Locs Despite the Challenges

In the past, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry had his dreadlocks woven into a tightly knit fishtail braid that stretched just past his shoulder pads. Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey, whose hair reaches his cheeks, has often worn a balaclava, a mask that wraps a person’s entire head, leaving only an opening for the eyes.

Keeping dreads neat inside the helmet can prevent opportunities for hair-pulling tackles and also make the player more comfortable. But it can also pose a challenge to fitting those helmets to provide their intended head protection.

The N.F.L. has invested over $200 million over the past decade in helmet and concussion research, including a $2 million grant competition to create a new “top performing helmet.” Jeff Miller, the N.F.L.’s executive vice president of communications, public affairs and policy, said in a statement that 67 percent of all players in the league this season are wearing helmets that snugly fit their head’s specific measurements.

Riddell, one of the leading helmet manufacturers, began producing models with “precision-fit” technology in 2017. To be fitted, players wear patterned hoods which are recognized as team equipment managers scan their heads using a cellphone app. Those images are sent to Riddell, which provides the players with a helmet with customized padding within four weeks of receiving their data.

“What player doesn’t want a helmet that fits them perfectly and has their name stitched into the lining?” said Thad Ide, the senior vice president of research and product development at Riddell.

But few “precision-fit” models allow for quick large-scale adjustments, Ide said, and if a player drastically changes his hairstyle during the season, he might need a new helmet. Brendan Burger, the Rams’ equipment director, said he always advises players to wear their hair exactly as they would in a game during the fitting process. Otherwise, the helmet may not be as comfortable or offer the best protection.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/24/sports/football/nfl-locs-braids-black-hair.html