Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, is known for his unique helmet style that many fans think looks “weird.” Here are some key points about Mahomes’ helmet:
The Visor
- Mahomes wears a tinted visor that covers his eyes and parts of his facemask. This gives his helmet a very different look compared to most NFL quarterbacks.
- The main purpose of the visor is to help reduce glare from the sun or stadium lights. Visors were originally more popular with running backs, but have caught on with some quarterbacks like Mahomes.
- The league banned tinted visors in 1998 but Mahomes gets an exemption due to his light sensitivity. He says the tinted visor helps him see the football better.
The Facemask
- Most NFL quarterbacks opt for a standard vertical bar facemask. But Mahomes wears a much fuller facemask with horizontal and angled bars across the front.
- This style of facemask, sometimes called the “grill mask,” is generally favored more by skill position players than quarterbacks.
- The fuller facemask offers added protection and makes it harder for defenders to knock the helmet off.
Helmet Brand
- Unlike many NFL players, Mahomes doesn’t wear a helmet made by Riddell or Schutt. Instead he opts for a Vicis brand helmet.
- Vicis helmets feature a soft outer shell designed to absorb impact force better than regular hard plastic helmets.
- As a young franchise quarterback, Mahomes prioritizes the latest protective technology in his helmet choice.
So in summary, the tinted visor, fuller facemask, and unique helmet brand all combine to give Patrick Mahomes a very distinctive look compared to other NFL quarterbacks. While it may seem “weird” to some, there are legitimate reasons behind his unique helmet style.
Why Mahomes First Started Wearing the Tinted Visor
Patrick Mahomes first started wearing his signature tinted visor during his MVP season in 2018. Here’s some background on why he made the change:
- Mahomes says he has dealt with light sensitivity issues since childhood. His left eye in particular is more light sensitive.
- The tinted visor helps reduce glare and light distraction, allowing Mahomes to focus on the football.
- Playing home games at Arrowhead Stadium, Mahomes would often have to squint from the glare off the seats on bright sunny days.
- Additionally, some away stadiums like the Broncos’ Mile High use reflective mesh coverings that can cause bad glare.
- In college at Texas Tech, Mahomes did not wear a tinted visor and would sometimes have issues seeing because of stadium lighting conditions.
- The NFL banned tinted/mirrored visors in 1998 as they prevented others from seeing a player’s eyes/face. But medical exemptions are allowed.
- Before 2018, Mahomes requested a prescription for the visor from his ophthalmologist that was approved by the NFL. This allowed him to wear the visor legally.
So in summary, the visor provides functional benefits for Mahomes in cutting down on disruptive glare. After dealing with light sensitivity his whole career, it allows the star quarterback to better focus on the field and the football.
How Mahomes’ Helmet Reflects His Style and Personality
In addition to the functional benefits, Patrick Mahomes’ unique helmet and its accessories also reflect aspects of his style and personality:
Shows His Individuality
- The helmet and visor combo helps Mahomes stand out from other QBs and expresses his individual flair.
- He goes against the norm of how a star QB is “supposed” to look by adopting a style favored by position players.
- This shows Mahomes’ confidence and willingness to blaze his own trail rather than blindly follow conformity.
Displays His Daring Risk-Taking
- The tinted visor is inherently a risky style, as Mahomes loses some peripheral vision from the tinting.
- But he’s willing to take the risk for the benefits the visor provides his vision. This aligns with his daring, gunslinger playstyle.
- The facemask and visor combo also limit his vision somewhat, but Mahomes backs his natural talent.
Reflects His Love of Fashion
- Mahomes is known to have an interest in fashion. He’s partnered with designers and attended fashion events.
- The accessorized helmet allows Mahomes to add some fashion flair to his uniform on gamedays when outfits are standardized.
- He takes pride in having a customized look that makes him stand out on the field.
So in these ways, Mahomes’ helmet reflects key aspects of who he is – an individual, a risk-taker, a fan of fashion. He could conform to norms, but instead uses the helmet to express his unique style and personality.
Do Visors Offer a Competitive Advantage in the NFL?
The tinted visor that Patrick Mahomes and other NFL players wear leads some to wonder – do visors give them a competitive edge? There are arguments on both sides:
The Case That Visors Provide an Advantage
- Reduce glare and improve vision – Especially helpful for receivers tracking deep balls or QBs reading defenses.
- Hide eyes and pupils from defenders – Makes it harder for defenders to read eyes or get an early jump on passes.
- Protect eyes from fingers and hands – The visor provides a barrier of protection for receivers going over the middle.
- Intimidation factor – The tinted visor can give players an imposing, intimidating look.
The Case Against Visors Offering an Advantage
- Vision can be impaired – The tinting causes some loss of peripheral vision which could negate benefits.
- Limited adoption – If it was a significant advantage, more players would wear visors instead of just a handful.
- Minimal competitive differences today – Modern stadium designs reduce glare, and eye discipline is taught regardless of visors.
- Already allowed medical exemptions – The NFL bans for competitive balance but allows medical need.
Overall there are reasonable arguments on both sides. But the limited usage and allowance of medical exemptions suggest visors provide a minor if any competitive advantage. In the end they are more about comfort and preference for players dealing with vision issues.
Who Else in the NFL Wears a Tinted Visor?
While he is arguably the most famous, Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only NFL player to sport a tinted visor attached to his helmet. Here are a few other notable NFL visor-wearers:
Chase Claypool – Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver who wears a dark tinted visor. Claims the visor helps see the ball better.
Odell Beckham Jr. – Cleveland Browns wideout who has worn a reflective orange visor for many years dating back to college at LSU.
LeSean McCoy – Former running back who wore a mirrored clear visor during most of his NFL career for eye protection.
LaDainian Tomlinson – Legendary running back who started wearing a tinted visor after suffering an injury to protect his eyes.
DeSean Jackson – Speedy deep threat receiver who has worn a dark tinted visor to reduce glare while tracking passes.
Orlando Brown Jr. – Chiefs tackle who uses a lightly tinted visor due to light sensitivity stemming from an eye injury as a rookie.
Rick Wagner – Packers offensive tackle who uses a clear visor with an anti-glare strip to reduce glare coming off the turf.
So while not common, Mahomes isn’t the lone visor-wearing player. A handful of others wear them for similar functional benefits related to vision and eye protection. But Mahomes is arguably the most recognizable active player associated with the accessory.
How Do Fans and Opponents Feel About Mahomes’ Visor?
Patrick Mahomes’ signature tinted visor generates plenty of strong reactions – both positive and negative:
Positive Fan Reactions
- It looks cool – Many fans think the dark visor gives Mahomes’ helmet added style points and a unique swagger.
- ** Associates Mahomes with the visor** – Like Michael Jordan with his tongue sticking out, the visor is a defining part of Mahomes’ look.
- Shows his confidence – Fans see the limited vision as evidence of Mahomes trusting his instincts and talent.
Negative Fan Reactions
- Looks weird – Some fans just think a quarterback wearing a big tinted visor looks strange or unconventional.
- Unfair advantage? – A minority think the visor unfairly helps Mahomes’ performance on the field.
- Not old school – Traditionalists think QBs should have a classic, old school look instead of a modern accessory.
Opponent Reactions
- Makes him harder to read – Opposing players admit the visor hides Mahomes’
The Evolution of Mahomes’ Helmet and Visor
Patrick Mahomes’ helmet and visor combo has evolved over his NFL career as he’s tweaked the look:
Rookie Year (2017)
- Wore a standard Vicis helmet with a vertical bar facemask and no visor. Had a fairly generic look as a rookie.
First Visor (2018)
- Added on a dark smoke tinted visor during his MVP season. This is when he first became known for the accessory.
New Helmet Model (2019)
- Upgraded to the latest Vicis Zero1 model but kept the same visor and facemask.
Facemask Switch (2020)
- Switched out the vertical bar facemask for the fuller “grill mask” style before the 2020 season.
New See-Through Visor (2021)
- Last season he switched to a new clear visor with an anti-glare stripe; presumably for lighter tint.
So while keeping the Vicis brand helmet, Mahomes has upgraded models and switched up visors and facemasks each few seasons. But the visor remains his signature constant accessory.
How Do Equipment Rules Influence Helmets and Visors?
The NFL and NFLPA have strict rules governing helmets and visors that influence the equipment choices players like Patrick Mahomes can make:
Helmet Rules
- Helmets must be certified by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).
- New helmet models must pass safety testing criteria around impacts and concussion prevention.
- The NFL and NFLPA prohibit helmets older than 10 years and ban some older unsafe models.
- Players cannot modify or customize helmets in ways that alter their safety components.
Visor Rules
- The NFL banned tinted eye shields in 1998 over concerns about competitive advantages.
- Medical exemptions are allowed for tinted visors with approval from independent doctors and the league.
- Mirrored and reflective visors remain prohibited even for medical reasons.
- The league office monitors use of visors and can hand out fines for violations.
So while players have options, safety is the top priority. Mahomes and others must choose from approved equipment that meets regulations if they want to gain approval to wear tinted visors.
Patrick Mahomes’ Impact Beyond Football
Beyond his achievements on the field, Patrick Mahomes’ unique style and popularity has influence that extends beyond football itself:
Fashion Influence
- His distinctive helmet has been a top-selling replica and inspired helmet designs across football.
- Mahomes has inspired more NFL players to express their personal style through helmets and accessories.
- He has collaborated with designers for customractice shclets, avant-garde suits, and jewelry bearing his “PM” logo.
Cultural Impact
- Mahomes was one of the faces of the NFL’s “Inspire Change” initiative promoting social justice.
- His background as the son of a black MLB player and white mother led Mahomes to speak out against racism.
- Mahomes promotes community service and children’s charities like his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation.
- Young athletes across sports see Mahomes as an inspirational figure and role model.
Kansas City Icon
- Despite being from Texas, Mahomes has embraced Kansas City and become the face of the Chiefs franchise.
- His likeable personality and family-man image resonate with the Kansas City community.
- Mahomes is instantly associated with Kansas City and has spurred growth of Chiefs fandom across the region.
As Mahomes continues building his legacy both on and off the field, his unique helmet style and broader influence leave a lasting impact.
Conclusion
In summary, Patrick Mahomes’ unique helmet and visor combo stem primarily from practical considerations around his light sensitivity and vision issues. But the distinctive look also embodies Mahomes’ individuality, style, and willingness to take risks and stand out from the crowd. While some see it as unconventional, most fans view it as a cool accessory representing Mahomes’ confidence and talent.
Despite a handful of other visor-wearers across the league, Mahomes has made the helmet and visor his own defining signature. It differentiates Mahomes while also serving functional purposes that improve his vision and protection on the field. And beyond football, Mahomes’ sense of fashion and community leadership make him an influential cultural icon who impacts well beyond the gridiron.
In the end, Mahomes clearly views the helmet not just as protective gear, but also as an outlet for personal expression. And like his creative and free-flowing play at quarterback, his unique helmet style bucking convention aptly captures the spirit and brand of Patrick Mahomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about why does mahomes helmet look weird:
What medical condition does Patrick Mahomes have that allows him to wear a tinted visor?
Mahomes has a light sensitivity condition affecting his left eye, stemming from childhood. The tinted visor was approved by the NFL after his ophthalmologist wrote a prescription recommending it to help with glare.
Could Mahomes’ visor ever be banned by the NFL?
It’s unlikely. Since the visor was approved on medical grounds, the NFL would face backlash for taking it away when it helps Mahomes manage a legitimate medical issue. They allow similar exemptions for other players as well.
Does Mahomes ever play without the visor?
Occasionally in practice Mahomes will go without the visor, especially when testing out new helmet models. But in games he always wears the tinted visor to help his light sensitivity and glare issues. Taking it off would negatively impact his vision and comfort.
What has Mahomes said about why he first started wearing the visor?
Mahomes says he struggled seeing the ball at times early in his career due to stadium lighting conditions. The visor helps him locate and track the ball better by reducing glare and Impacts his performance.
How has the visor become such a signature for Mahomes?
It started when he first began wearing the dark tinted visor in 2018, his MVP season. Fans noticed him wearing a very different look for a quarterback. It stood out and became associated with Mahomes. Now it’s an indelible part of his image.