Today's Tidbit... When Leather Helmets Earned Their Wings

Let me start by saying I have never liked winged helmets, but as a chronicler of football’s past, it is my duty to reveal the game’s ugly side and its beauty. I’ve argued in the past that the 1930s produced football’s ugliest uniforms. Today, I’ll review how the decade’s helmets were no exception to the ugliness.

The front wings on the winged helmet originated to provide additional padding on the helmet's forehead. However, the sporting goods manufacturers took the opportunity to reshape the pad ...