When it comes to football, few things are as iconic as the NFL helmets. Over the years, we’ve seen these helmets evolve from simple leather caps to high-tech protective gear with some amazing designs. The 2024 offseason saw even more teams embrace alternate helmets, from new color schemes to fresh logos. But with so many great options, which helmets stand the test of time as the best ever?
Here, we’re counting down the top NFL helmets of all time—designs that are not only recognizable but iconic.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: A Bolt of Brilliance
If any NFL helmet screams energy and excitement, it’s the Los Angeles Chargers’ helmet. The clean white helmet adorned with a lightning bolt is a perfect symbol for a team known for electrifying offense and big plays. The bold yellow lightning bolt, outlined in powder blue, pops against the white background, making it one of the most visually striking helmets in the league.
While the Chargers have dabbled with putting player numbers on their helmets, the best version of their design is the minimalist approach—just the lightning bolt and the vibrant yellow face mask. It’s simple, dynamic, and, most importantly, unforgettable.
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4. Philadelphia Eagles: The Soaring Wing Design
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Few helmets can match the creativity of the Philadelphia Eagles’ design. The eagle wing that stretches across both sides of the helmet is a bold and beautiful statement, representing the team’s desire for speed, power, and dominance. The Kelly green helmets of the past are beloved, but the current darker green, trimmed with black and featuring silver details in the feathers, adds a modern, sleek look that shines both under the stadium lights and in the sun.
High school and college teams have often tried to imitate this design, and for good reason—it’s a true standout in sports helmet history. Whether in their classic green or the newer shades, the Eagles’ winged helmets are here to stay.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Stripes That Stand Out
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t need a logo on their helmets to make them unforgettable. Instead, they took a different route by plastering tiger stripes all over their orange helmets. This design perfectly captures the essence of a Bengal tiger, and the helmet’s vibrant orange-and-black color scheme ensures that no one ever mistakes it for something else.
What makes this helmet even better is its modern simplicity. The absence of a center stripe lets the tiger theme dominate without overwhelming the design. And while the team has experimented with white alternate helmets, the original orange-and-black stripes remain a fan favorite and a contender for the best helmet design in the NFL.
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2. Las Vegas Raiders: A Helmet Built for Grit
The Las Vegas Raiders helmet is synonymous with toughness, and its design reflects the franchise’s identity. The silver shield with a black background features a raider wearing an old-school leather helmet and crossed swords behind him, which gives it a gritty, nostalgic look. The simplicity of the single black stripe running down the center adds to its rugged appeal, making it one of the most easily recognizable designs in sports.
The Raiders have called multiple cities home—Oakland, Los Angeles, and now Las Vegas—but the helmet has remained a constant. It symbolizes the rebellious, no-nonsense attitude that the team is known for, and changing this helmet would almost feel like blasphemy.
1. Dallas Cowboys: The Star That Shines Bright
It’s hard to argue against the Dallas Cowboys helmet being the most iconic in NFL history. The simple yet powerful design featuring a lone blue star against a silver backdrop has been part of football lore for decades. The helmet symbolizes the Cowboys’ status as “America’s Team,” and it represents their history of success and dominance.
The color scheme—silver, blue, and white—complements the helmet perfectly. The white trim around the star adds an extra touch of sleekness, while the triple stripe with a centered white line running down the middle brings a level of symmetry that few helmets can match. Whether under the bright lights of Jerry World or during a Sunday night game, the Cowboys helmet is a timeless masterpiece.
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