Why Do NFL Players Wear Visors?

Do you ever wonder why some NFL players choose to wear visors on their helmets? There are actually a few reasons why this may be the case. Read on to learn more about why NFL players wear visors.

Reasons for Wearing a Visor

Many NFL players choose to wear visors on their helmets in order to protect their eyes from the sun and from other players. Wearing a visor can also help prevent injuries to the face and eyes. In addition, visors can help reduce glare from the sun, making it easier for players to see the field.

To Protect the Eyes from the Sun

While the exact reason why players started wearing visors is not known, it is speculated that they were originally worn to protect the eyes from the sun. Players who wore visors in the early days of the NFL did so primarily for functional reasons, as they were often required to play their games in sunny conditions.

While visors do provide some protection from the sun’s rays, they are not completely effective in preventing vision problems related to sunlight exposure. In fact, a study published in 2015 found that football players who wore visors had a significantly higher incidence of vision problems than those who did not wear them. However, the study did not find a link between vision problems and player position, meaning that all players, regardless of position, are at risk for vision problems if they wear visors.

To Prevent Eye Injuries

Visors were originally introduced to the NFL in the early 1990s as a way to protect players’ eyes from getting poked by another player’s finger. The league made visors mandatory for all players in 2007, but allowed players who had already been in the league for at least three seasons to continue to wear clear plastic eye shields if they so desired. In 2013, the NFL relaxed its rules again, allowing all players to wear clear shields if they wished.

There are a number of reasons why players might choose to wear visors, even though they are not required to do so. For one thing, visors can help protect players’ vision from the sun’s glare, which can be especially intense during afternoon games. Additionally, visors can offer some protection against injuries caused by flying debris, such as small pieces of turf or other players’ cleats.

To Enhance Vision

While the primary purpose of wearing a visor is to prevent eye injuries, many players also say that it helps them see better. The lightweight polycarbonate material used to make visors does not obstruct vision the way that a heavier helmet would. In addition, the visor’s position on the helmet actually provides some shading for the player’s eyes, which can help reduce glare from the sun or stadium lights.

How Visors Affect NFL Players

In the NFL, wearing a visor on your helmet is a personal choice. Some players wear them because they feel it makes them look tough, while others wear them to protect themselves from injury. While there are some benefits to wearing a visor, there are also some drawbacks. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both sides of the argument.

Wearing a Visor Can Improve Performance

Players who wear visors in the NFL have an advantage over those who don’t. A visor can help a player focus on the game and block out distractions. It can also help protect a player’s eyes from the sun and from flying debris.

Some players feel that visors give them an extra edge in competition. Wearing a visor can make it difficult for opponents to see a player’s eyes, which can give the player an advantage. Additionally, visors can help reduce glare from the sun and artificial lighting, which can improve a player’s vision.

Despite the benefits of wearing a visor, some players choose not to wear one. Some players feel that visors obstruct their vision, while others simply prefer not to wear one. Additionally, some players believe that visors make them look weak or vulnerable.

Visors Can Help Players Avoid Injuries

During an NFL game, there are a lot of potential injuries that could happen to a player. Because of this, many players choose to wear visors on their helmets in order to help protect themselves.

There are a few different ways that visors can help players avoid injuries. First of all, they can help to protect players’ eyes from foreign objects, such as dirt or debris that might be kicked up during the course of a game. In addition, visors can also help to reduce the likelihood of eye injuries caused by impact, such as those that might occur during a tackle.

Another way that visors can help players avoid injuries is by providing some level of UV protection. This is especially important for players who spend a lot of time outdoors during practices or games. By blocking out some of the harmful UV rays, visors can help to reduce the risk of eye problems such as cataracts or macular degeneration.

Finally, visors can also help to reduce the risk of concussions. This is because they can provide an extra layer of protection for the eyes, which are particularly vulnerable to injury in the event of a head collision. While visors cannot completely prevent concussions from happening, they can certainly help to reduce the severity of them.

Visors Can Be a Distraction

While visors have become more popular in recent years, some players still prefer not to wear them. Many say that they can be a distraction, especially when it’s sunny and the sun is shining directly in your face. Because visors are made of plastic, they can also fog up easily, which can obstruct your vision.

The Pros and Cons of Wearing a Visor

Wearing a visor on the football field can offer several benefits to the player. For one, it can help to reduce the amount of glare from the sun and bright lights, which can improve visibility and make it easier to see the field. Additionally, a visor can help to protect the player’s eyes from debris, mud, and other substances that may be kicked up during the game. However, there are also a few potential drawbacks to wearing a visor. These can include decreased hearing and visibility, as well as the potential for the visor to fog up.

Pros

Visors help prevent eye injuries, including those caused by flying debris, such as dirt, sand, and small pebbles.

They also reduce the risk of contracting eye infections. Bacteria and viruses can enter the eye through tiny scratches on the cornea (the clear, round dome at the front of the eye), or through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs, handrails, and countertops. By wearing a visor, you create a barrier between your eyes and these contaminated surfaces.

In addition, visors can protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Excessive exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes and lead to conditions such as cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens) and macular degeneration (a progressive deterioration of the center of the retina).

Cons

While visors do offer some protection for football players, they also have some drawbacks. One of the biggest problems with visors is that they can fog up, especially in cold or humid weather. This can be a real problem for players who need to be able to see clearly to make split-second decisions on the field.

Another downside to visors is that they can limit players’ peripheral vision. This can be a particular problem for quarterbacks who need to be able to see all of their receivers. In addition, visors can make it difficult for players to communicate with each other on the field.

Conclusion

While there is no concrete evidence as to why NFL players began wearing visors, it is clear that the trend has caught on in a big way. Today, visors are worn by players of all positions and all levels of experience. While some players may wear them for functional purposes, others simply like the way they look. Ultimately, it is up to each individual player to decide whether or not to wear a visor.