Tank McNamara by Bill Hinds for July 02, 2023

For those who were wondering… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Plasman?wprov=sfla1

Crazier was there were still NHL goaltenders playing without a mask, much less skaters without helmets, into the 70s (remember Gump “my face is my mask” Worsley?)

… while wearing a nightcap?!

This is why you should always wear protective gear when you participate in a sporting activity.

A lot of the appeal I see in football is the strategy. The play calling and the defenses reaction. I also love the imprecision of the offence when a play fall apart. All of that would survive a switch to flag football.

The problem with flags is determining when the flag actually left the player’s belt (before or after the throw, before or after breaking the plane of the goal). Perhaps electronic force sensor; when a strong enough contact is made, the officials receive a signal and end the play.

Even Ronald Reagan wore a helmet as the Gipper.

If anybody’s interested:

https://www.history.com/news/nfl-last-helmetless-player-dick-plasman

But did he wear a cup?

Why bother with a kick-off? What about punts? I returned both in H.S., wasn’t real fond of either, but…

#NFLWeakNow

I love any KC reference. And the nightcap is the piece de resistance.

And he’s dead BECAUSE he played without a helmet.

Rugby and Australian football play without helmets or pads.

Of course, in those sports, the players have to both attack and defend, so they know that anything they do to their direct opponent, they’ll get right back.

Kinda makes you wonder how eager NFL defenders would be to lay on ESPN-worthy hits if they knew they’d be getting a few in return, don’t it?