Eagles

1949-1995: Shades of Green

I have seen references to the pre-1995 Eagles helmets as “kelly green.” The helmets from the era, however, did not resemble kelly green. If anything, the photos represent a hunter green or just plain green color.

I think the kelly green is a reference to the uniform color, not the helmet. As the photos from the 1960’s show, the helmet was often darker than the jersey. The jersey looks like a lighter kelly green. The helmets look green or hunter green.

1949-54: Green & Silver Helmet

This helmet is only available in the Throwback 4-piece Eagles team set. It’s in the two-bar helmet style. It’s one of two leather pocket pro helmets (the other being the 1948 Rams). The 1950-53 Eagles helmet was a plain green or a hunter green helmet. Riddell did not manufacture a pocket pro for this helmet.

1954-69: Three helmets

The Eagles wore three different helmet designs with the plain wing between 1954-69. The photo from Todd Random Design shows the three styles, from left to right:

1. 1955-68: Hunter green helmet, silver wing, grey facemask – in the Throwback Series 1 and Throwback 2-bar sets.
2. 1969 only: Hunter green helmet, white wing, grey facemask – custom only
3. 1969-73: White helmet, green wing, grey facemask – throwback series 2 and NFC 1969 2-bar sets – in the Throwback Series 2, Throwback NFC 1969 2-bar, and 4-piece team throwback sets.

The 1955-68 pocket helmets display a hunter green (two bar) and regular green (traditional style) color. I looked at pictures from Getty Images and other sources. I could not find any evidence the Eagles wore different shades of green during this era. But it’s possible.

1974-95 Era: New Wing, Varying Shades of Green

There were several shades of green between 1974 and 1995. Fortunately, the wing was consistent: a silver wing with a white outline. To my knowledge, the Eagles wore three different shades of green during this era. Different shades were wore in the same season and even in the same games:

1. 1976, 1985-95, 2010 throwback: Green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask. In the 4-piece team set. In 1988 this helmet had an AJR decal on the back, honoring late owner Art Rooney. Late in the 1989 season, the Eagles wore a black stripe through the wing to commemorate the death of quarterbacks coach Doug Scovil.
2. 1974-84: Hunter green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask. Custom only.
3. 1974-76: Metallic green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask. Custom only.

1996-present era

The 1996-present Eagles helmet is midnight green and in the chrome, traditional, revolution, and speed sets.

2007 and 1994 Throwbacks

In 2007, the Eagles wore a throwback to their first leather helmet. It was only worn in one game. No official pocket pro helmet exists. I made a custom helmet using light blue vinyl sticker paper. The 1994 throwback helmet had a large silver stripe. The Eagles had never previously wore this style helmet. I think it might be an homage to the 1949 helmet.

Custom Eagles Helmets

The Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Steagles did not actually wear a helmet with the logo shown below. However, it was the team’s logo.

Checklist

• 1949-53: Green/silver helmet, grey facemask
  • Throwback 4-pc Team Set, 2-bar style (in 4-pc team set only)
• 1949-53: Plain green or hunter green helmet
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1954: Plain green or hunter green helmet, lucite facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1954: Hunter green helmet, silver wing, lucite facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1955-68, 2010 throwback: Hunter green helmet, silver wing, grey facemask
  • Throwback Series 1
  • Throwback 2-bar
• 1969-73: White helmet, green wing, grey facemask
  • Throwback Series 2/4-piece Throwback Team set
  • Throwback NFC 1969 2-bar
• 1969: Hunter green helmet, white or white/silver wing, grey facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1974-84: Hunter green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1974-76: Metallic green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1976, 1985-95: Green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask
  • Throwback 4-pc Team Set – traditional style (in 4-pc team set only)
• 1988: Green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask, with Art Rooney memorial decal (one game 11/13/88)
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1989: Green helmet, silver wing with white outline, grey facemask, black stripe through wing
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1994 throwback: Green helmet, large silver stripe, grey facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet
• 1996-present: Midnight green helmet, modern wing, midnight green facemask
  • Traditional /4-piece Throwback Team set
  • Revolution
  • Speed
  • Chrome
• 2007 throwback (1933 helmet): Blue & yellow helmet, grey facemask
  • No factory pocket helmet

Leather Philadelphia Eagles Helmets
These helmets were not officially made by Riddell. They only exist as custom helmets.

• 1933, 2007 throwback: Leather square front, blue/yellow
• 1934: Leather square front, tan/blue
• 1935-40: Leather six strap, white
• 1937: Leather six strap, green
• 1941: Leather square front, black/white
• 1942-48: Leather square front, green/silver

References

• Gridiron Uniform Database, Philadelphia Eagles
• Helmet History.com, Philadelphia Eagles
• Gridiron Uniform Database. Philadelphia Eagles 1974 through 1984.
• Gridiron Uniform Database. Philadelphia Eagles 1974 through 1977.
• Gridiron Uniform Database. Philadelphia Eagles 1974-79.
• Hecken, Phil. (2018, February 4). Supe’s on Part II: Uni History of the Philadelphia Eagles. Uni Watch.
• Shibe Vintage Sports History Blog. (2012, July 10). The 1969 Eagles – A Rare Two Helmet Team.
• Todd Random Design. (2018, January 25). On the Wings of Eagles.

Photo Sources

1949-1973 Helmet Photos – Getty Images, from top left across and down to lower right

1. PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1960’s: Wide Receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts catches a pass over a Philadelphia Eagles defender during a circa 1960’s NFL football game at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berry played for the Colts from 1955-67. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
2. American professional football player Charlie Conerly #42 (1921 – 1996) (center), quarterback of the New York Giants, hands off to Frank Gifford #16 (left) as teammate Mel Triplett #33 (right) runs behind during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, late 1950s. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images)
3. Football: Cleveland Browns Bobby Mitchell (49) in action vs Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Cleveland, OH 10/23/1960 CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: D81812 )
4. Football: Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Van Brocklin (11) calling signals before snap during game vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Forbes Field. Snow, weather. Pittsburgh, PA 12/11/1960 CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: D81812 )
5. Football: Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Van Brocklin (11) calling signals before snap during game vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Forbes Field. Snow, weather. Pittsburgh, PA 12/11/1960 CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: D81812 )
6. Football: NFL Championship: Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Van Brocklin (11) in action, handoff to Billy Ray Barnes (33) vs Green Bay Packers at Franklin Field. Philadelphia, PA 12/26/1960 CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: D145324 )
7. Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr hands off the football to fullback Jim Taylor during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by © Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images), 1960
8. Football: View of NFL referee John Pace (55) during Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants game at Franklin Field. Philadelphia, PA 9/29/1963 CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images) (Set Number: X9522 )
9. GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 15: Donny Anderson #44 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game September 15, 1968 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Anderson played for the Packers from 1966-71. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
10. PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1963: Sunny Jurgensen #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles rolls out to pass during an NFL football game at Franklin Field circa 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jurgensen played for the Eagles from 1957-63. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
11. PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1963: Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles turns to hand the ball off to a running back against the St. Louis Cardinals, during a circa 1963 NFL game at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jurgenson played for the Eagles from 1957-63. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
12. PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1963: Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass against the St. Louis Cardinals, during a circa 1963 NFL game at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jurgenson played for the Eagles from 1957-63. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
13. Football: Philadelphia Eagles center Howard Keys (61) with offensive line teammates before snap during game vs Cleveland Browns at Franklin Field. Philadelphia, PA 11/3/1963 CREDIT: Neil Leifer (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images) (Set Number: X9619 TK1 )