FOX Sports: NFL outlaws customized face masks

[Irving Cowboy]

NFL outlaws customized face masks
UPDATED AUG 9, 2013 7:16 PM ET

The NFL won't allow Colts defensive end Robert Mathis to use his face mask on game days.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an email to The Associated Press that the NFL determined it was a prohibited non-standard face mask.

At training camp, Mathis has been wearing a cagey-looking white face mask that covers up just about everything except his eyes. Several players around the league — including Arizona's Darnell Dockett and the Giants' Justin Tuck — have been using similar face masks, and those also will be disallowed. The only exception to wearing a customized face mask, McCarthy said, would be for a medical reason.

Mathis used his Twitter account to explain the decision.

''its official.... the league says i cant wear my facemask. I will return to my run of the mill grill,'' he wrote.

Mathis is a five-time Pro Bowl player and is second on the Colts' career sacks list with 91 1/2.

He wasn't surprised by the decision.

On Thursday, he used Twitter to explain that he ''may not'' win the battle with the league office and asked fans: ''anybody got pics/suggestions of a face mask within the horizontal4 and vertical3 guidelines?''

One fan even responded by urging Mathis to file an appeal.

Mathis hasn't said what face mask he will use, but presumably it will fall within the bounds of league rules.

 

[ZeroClub]

Good.


Here's more:

NFL tells Colts' Robert Mathis to wear different face mask

NFL.com Wire Reports
Published: Aug. 9, 2013 at 06:49 p.m.
Updated: Aug. 10, 2013 at 01:12 a.m.

Associated Press
DeMarcus Ware, Justin Tuck, Darnell Dockett and Robert Mathis wanted to wear these face masks this season.

The NFL won't allow Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis to use his new face mask on game days.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote Friday in an email to NFL.com and NFL Network that the face mask Mathis has used throughout training camp "was considered a prohibited non-standard customized face mask."

"A player would need a medical reason to wear this type of face mask," McCarthy added about Mathis' gear, which covers up just about everything on his face except his eyes.

Several NFL players, including Darnell Dockett of the Arizona Cardinals and DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys, have tried similar face masks, and those also will be disallowed. However, McCarthy said Baltimore Ravens defensive end Chris Canty and New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck "both applied for medical clearance for their face masks and it was granted."

Canty suffered a serious eye injury in 2005 and needs the protection to play. Tuck is fighting a neck injury and doesn't want opponents reaching inside his helmet and yanking his head.

Mathis used his Twitter account to explain the NFL's decision to deny his face mask.

"its official.... the league says i cant wear my facemask. I will return to my run of the mill grill," he wrote.

Mathis is a five-time Pro Bowl player and is second on the Colts' career sacks list with 91.5.

Mathis wasn't surprised by the decision. On Thursday, he used Twitter to explain that he "may not" win the battle with the league office and asked fans: "anybody got pics/suggestions of a face mask within the horizontal4 and vertical3 guidelines?"

One fan even responded by urging Mathis to file an appeal.

Mathis hasn't said what face mask he will use, but presumably, it will fall within the bounds of league rules.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LINK: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000228337/article/nfl-tells-colts-robert-mathis-to-wear-different-face-mask

 

[Sheik]

Robert Griffin should be able to wear one to cover up his very ugly face.

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Tuck is fighting a neck injury and doesn't want opponents reaching inside his helmet and yanking his head.

Get the fuck out of here. Such bullshit. Either admit it's a bullshit excuse, or don't play football if you're so worried about it.