Football Archaeology

Football Archaeology

Share this post

Football Archaeology
Football Archaeology
Today's Tidbit... Of Jaw and Chin Straps
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Tidbits (Paid)

Today's Tidbit... Of Jaw and Chin Straps

Football Archaeology's avatar
Football Archaeology
Apr 19, 2025
∙ Paid
5

Share this post

Football Archaeology
Football Archaeology
Today's Tidbit... Of Jaw and Chin Straps
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
2
1
Share

Nowadays, the chin straps on football helmets cover the wearer's chin, but that was not so in the past. Football chin straps didn't cover the chin until Riddell introduced them with their plastic helmets in 1940. Before then, straps that went under the jaw, resting near the neck, so why in tarnation did they call them chin straps?

As best as I can tell, we adopted the chin strap term from military caps and hats with straps that went under the jaw, though they were commonly worn on or above the chin, especially in ceremonial settings. We still see this use in military settings and in the marching band uniforms that copied the military’s shako-style headgear.

UCLA marching band in 2010. (Wiki)

Just as football players are penalized today for not keeping their chin straps properly snapped, a disorderly or missing chin strap was once a gaolable offense, though being drunk and AWOL didn't help either.

('Dover Police Court,' Dover Express (UK), April 4, 1863.)

But back to football...

The soft canvas and leather helmets that arrived around 1900 had jaw straps comprised of strings that tied or straps that cinched the head harness in place.

(1900 Wright & Ditson Catalog)

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Football Archaeology to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Timothy P. Brown
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More