FOX Sports Exclusive
NFL thigh, knee pads to be mandatory
Share This Story
About 70 percent of NFL players appear to be in for a change after the three final regular season games and the playoffs.
The NFL will make thigh and knee pads mandatory in 2013, a regulation the league’s owners will be updated on when they meet in Dallas on Wednesday.
“For over a year we have been getting input, including from players, on what the padding will be like,” said Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations. “But starting in 2013, thigh and knee pads will be required, like they were before 1994.”
The NFL Players Association pushed to make thigh and knee pads optional that season. The most recent survey (conducted in 2010) showed that only 30 percent of the players chose to wear such protection with wide receivers, defensive backs, linebackers and defensive lineman the most likely to go minus the pads.
The owners approved a rule change to make thigh and knee pads mandatory in May. The NFLPA said at the time that “any change in working conditions is a collectively-bargained issue.”
The union did not immediately respond to FOXSports.com.
Those involved with player safety on the league level will take the owners through the new padding, designs that Nike and Under Armour have proposed to allow for added mobility while still protecting the player.
“For some players, they need to pass the mirror test,” Anderson said. “They like to look good, look sleek. They want to move unencumbered. It was important for us to address the performance and the aesthetics of the new pads.”
More Stories From A.J. Perez
Trending Now
-
Ax to fall soon for LA's Mattingly
Gone tomorrow? With latest losses, I'm convinced Mattingly's tenure in LA will be ...
-
Oxbow goes wire to wire in Preakness
Oxbow has won the Preakness, ruining Orb's bid to capture the Triple Crown. -
Surprise! Jay-Z gives awesome gifts
Graduation Day is a big day for any student. But when you're one of the most famous w... -
Griner: Mulkey told me to stay mum
In an interview, Brittney Griner says Baylor coach Kim Mulkey did not want the star p... -
Geno takes a beating before a snap
Jets rookie Geno Smith says he can handle the criticism, seeks to prove he's no diva....
NFL Videos
Billick: Eagles QB situation makes no sense
Posted: May 19, 2013
Brian Billick and Taylor Jones on the Eagles QB situation. Find out what Billick...
Brian Billick and Taylor Jones on the Eagles QB situation. Find out what Billick...
Te'o models game after Ray Lewis
Posted: May 19, 2013
Chargers rookie LB Manti Te'o talks about emulating Ray Lewis on the field.
Chargers rookie LB Manti Te'o talks about emulating Ray Lewis on the field.
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/800466/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800466_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - |
| Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Steelers/browse/featuredproduct/800489/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800489_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/801102/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801102_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/825450/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825450_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue |
| Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/825465/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825465_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
| Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/830781/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830781_xl.jpg&w=100 | 94.95 | Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/845755/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_845000/ff_845755_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange |
| Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Jacksonville_Jaguars/browse/featuredproduct/851602/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851602_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal |
| New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/853845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green |
| New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/853852/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853852_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.