Bills

Row 1: 1960-61, 1962-64
Row 2: 1965-73
Row 3: 1974-76, 1977-83
Row 4: 1984-86 (blue facemask), 1987-2001 (white facemask)
Row 5: 1994 alternate, 2002-10
Row 5: 2011-2020, 2021-present

1960-73

The first Bills helmet was a plain silver helmet with player numbers. No official pocket pro was manufactured by Riddell (the photo below is a custom).

1974-83

The 1974 Bills helmet introduced the blue charging bison with the red stripe. The Bills wore three versions of this helmet during this era. This helmet has been worn at various times in later years as a throwback. The changes to the 1982 helmet were so minor, I tend to consider it a continuation of the 1976-81 helmet.

Left: 1974-75, Middle: 1976-81, Right: 1982-83
Photo from Bills Sports Map

1984-2001

  • 1984-86: Red helmet, white/red/blue/red/white stripes, blue facemask – Throwback Series 2
  • 1987-2001: Red helmet, white/red/blue/red/white stripes, white facemask – Traditional sets, Chrome
  • 1994 alternate: Red helmet, plain white bison, white/red/blue/red/white stripes, white facemask – custom only

2002-10

In 2002, Buffalo added grey stripes to the helmet, the only update. This helmet is available in the Traditional and Revolution sets.

2011-2020 and 2021

In 2011, the Bills returned to the white helmet. This helmet is very similar to the 70’s helmet. The main difference is the striping pattern. This helmet style is in the Speed and Revolution sets.

In week 13 of the 2019 season, the Bills wore an alternate version of the helmet with a white facemask. In 2021, the Bills announced they would permanently switch to the helmet with the white facemask. Otherwise, the helmet stays the same. Riddell did manufacture a helmet in this style starting in summer 2021.

Custom Bills Pocket Pro Helmets

Pocket Helmet Checklist

Last update: 12/16/2021

  • 1960-61: Silver helmet, blue player numbers, no stripe, grey facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1962-65 (pre-season): Plain white helmet, grey facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1962 (pre-season): Plain white helmet, blue stripe, grey facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1962-64: White helmet, plain red bison, plain red stripe, grey facemask
  • 1965-73 (2005-10, 12-20 throwbacks): White helmet, plain red bison, red-blue-red stripes, grey facemask
  • 1974-76: White helmet, blue bill with red stripe, red-blue-red stripes, grey facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1977-83: White helmet, blue bill with red stripe, red-blue-red stripes, blue facemask
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 1984-86: Red helmet, blue bison with red stripe, white-red-blue-red-white stripe, blue facemask
  • 1987-2001: Red helmet, blue bison with red stripe, white-red-blue-red-white stripes, white facemask
  • 1994 alternate: Red helmet, plain white buffalo, white-red-blue-red-white stripes, white facemask. Worn for one game as an alternate
    • No factory pocket helmet
  • 2002-10: Red helmet, blue bison with red stripe, white-blue-silver-black-silver-blue-white stripes, white facemask
  • 2011-2020: White helmet, blue bill with red stripe, blue-red-blue tapered stripes, grey facemask
  • 2020-present: White helmet, blue bill with red stripe, blue-red-blue tapered stripes, white facemask. The Bills also wore this helmet for one game in 2020.

References

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