SMU Helmet History


PHOTO	DESCRIPTION	YEARS USED	COMMENTS

	Red leather helmet	1930s	SMU's leather helmet was worn throughout the 1930s. Dates are uncertain. Worn during SMU's 1935 National Championship team.

	Red shell. The raised ridge in the middle of the helmet was often a lighter shade of red.	1943-1954	The classic look of the great SMU teams of the 1940s and 1950s with Doak Walker, Kyle Rote, etc.

	Red shell with gray masks	1955-1956	Facemasks were added partly because of the "butt block," in which a player would spear another player in the face; famous episode between Tiny Goss (SMU) and Jerry Coody (Baylor)*

	Red shell with white-blue-white stripes, white numbers on the sides, gray facemask	1957-1961	This helmet was worn only on the road with the white jerseys and alternated for two years with the white helmet. Only time in SMU history that two helmets were worn during the same season.*

	White shell with red-blue-red stripes, blue numbers on the sides, gray facemask	1957-1961	This helmet was worn only at home with the red jerseys and alternated for two years with the red helmet. Only time in SMU history that two helmets were worn during the same season.*

	Red shell with white player numbers on sides, gray facemask	1962	SMU went back to red helmets, with the addition of player numbers, which was the norm in the 1960s prior to widespread decals.

	Red shell with white stylized mustang on sides, gray facemask	1963-1966	An addition of a stylized rearing mustang decal highlighted this helmet. Brands include Riddell and Wilson.

	Red shell, gray facemask	1967	SMU removed the stylized mustang decal for one year in anticipation of a more modern design; one which they have worn for the last 33 years, except for the Dave Smith era. Brands include Riddell and Wilson.

	Red shell with white running mustang on sides, gray facemask	1968-1972	Classic helmet look during the Hayden Fry era. Brands include Riddell and Macgregor.

	Silver shell with blue-red-blue stripes and gray facemask	1973-1975	Unusual design incorporate by head coach Dave Smith upon coming to SMU from Oklahoma State. Only time that SMU has worn silver helmets. Helmet shells are Macgregor.

	White shell with blue-red-blue stripes and red running mustang outlined in blue on sides, red facemask	1976-1986	Ron Meyer ushered in a classic look at SMU upon his arrival in 1976. Unfortunately, the uniforms that matched the helmets were worn for only two years before a scaled-down, predominately blue look was used. Brands include Kelly, Macgregor, and Maxpro.

	White shell with thin blue-white-red-white-thin blue stripes and blue running mustang outlined in red on sides, white facemask	1989-1990	SMU's first season under coach Forrest Gregg back from the NCAA "death penalty" saw a blue mustang used for the first time. Brands include Riddell.

	White shell with thin blue-white-red-white-thin blue stripes and blue running mustang outlined in red on sides, red facemask	1991	A slight change from the previous two years with red facemasks substituted for the white masks. A much better look, and only a year away from a return to the classic look instituted during the Ron Meyer era. Riddell helmets.

	White shell with blue-red-blue stripes and red running mustang outlined in blue on sides, red facemask	1992-1996	Classic SMU helmet returns. Riddell helmets.

	White pearlesque metallic shell with red running mustang outlined in blue on sides, red facemask	1997-1999	SMU follows the college "trend" by removing the stripes from the helmets. Hopefully, this will be a passing trend. Riddell helmets.

	White shell with thin navy-white-red-white-thin navy stripes and red running mustang outlined in navy on sides, red facemask	2000-2002	SMU used this look for three seasons, incorporating navy instead of royal blue for the first time in the helmet colors and uniform design. Look is very similar to the 1991 SMU helmet. Riddell helmets.

	Navy metallic shell, called "SMU pearlesque blue" with red stripe and red running mustang on sides, navy facemask	2003	"New" look for 2003 is a first in many ways, as it is the first time that SMU has worn blue helmets, and blue facemasks. Riddell helmets.

	Navy metallic shell, called "SMU pearlesque blue" with red stripe and red running mustang outlined in silver on sides, navy facemask	2004-2005	Slight change for 2004; addition of silver outline around red pony on helmet. Riddell helmets.

	Navy metallic shell, called "SMU pearlesque blue" with red stripe and red running mustang outlined in white on sides, navy facemask	2006-Current	New change is slight for this year, as pony is now outlined in white. Riddell helmets.

*Information supplied by Eddie Lane, former head trainer at SMU from 1961-1972. Thanks to SWC Helmet Club member Phil Key in supplying the 1956, 1960 red, and 1963 SMU helmet photos!

PHOTO

DESCRIPTION

YEARS USED

COMMENTS