My new Steelers drop arrived today. Riddell really stepped up their game with this one. It’s sharp.
Thanks to Cole Thompson and Steve for clarifying some things about the Steelers drop. Let’s take a look.
It only resembles the Revolution pocket helmet from 15 years ago. (I have two of the Revolution helmets and the date stamps are June 2010 and July 2011).
The 2025 speed helmet has a matte finish and grey facemask. And there is a black circle around the Steelers’ logo.
It is the fourth gold pocket Steelers helmet.
The two helmets are the left and identical styles. They are in the throwback series. The far right is the 2007-11 revolution alternate throwback.
The logos are different on all three of the styles and reflect the different eras.
For years, I saw the photo below floating around the internet. It displays four Oilers helmets. The middle row shows the following:
1981-96 traditional style helmet
1997-98 traditional style helmet (with the small flag under the earhole)
The interesting thing about the picture is the helmets in the front and back. The helmet in the front row takes the small flag logo and moves it to the middle, like a prototyle. I always assumed it was a custom. The helmet in the back shows the 1981-96, but it’s shiny, like a chrome helmet. I didn’t know what to think, and nothing could be verified, so I moved on.
Recently, on the Custom Pocket Pro facebook site, a collector posted a picture and video of what appears to be a chrome helmet.
It’s an awesome helmet. That being said, I am skeptical (nothing against the person who posted the picture!) I’m a professional researcher. I can’t help it. Here’s the reasons for my skepticism:
The Oilers wore this style helmet through the 1996 season. In 1997, they added the Tennesse flag logo under the earhole. As far as I can tell, Riddell started manufacturing chrome helmets in 2000, two years after this helmet expired. The Giants, Saints, and Rams redesigned their helmets in 2000. The Ravens did in 1999. None of them have chrome helmets for earlier years. For instance, there is no chrome helmet for the 98-98 Ravens. Or for the Giants helmet with the GIANTS logo.
In the early days (and maybe still today), it was not uncommon for collectors to gloss-coat helmets. These helmets can look a lot like chrome helmets. For instance, I found the Oilers helmet below on worthpoint (an archive of past ebay items). The seller states: “Up For Bid is a Custom 1970-71 Houston Oilers Alternate 2 Bar Pocket Pro Helmet. Helmet is Sanded, Painted, and Gloss Coated. Will combine Shipping For Multiple Items. Thank you.” A popular seller on eBay (stormyday) used to gloss coat a lot of helmets.
The facemask on the 1981-96 helmet appears to be chrome as well. My chrome helmets (and I have a lot!) have the regular, non-glossy facemasks. In fact, the Oilers facemask almost looks gloss coated as well, as if the whole thing was coated. That’s a total guess on my part. I could be wrong.
I have never seen this or the other helmets in their original packaging. They were allegedly sold or given away as a four-team set, but I haven’t seen convincing evidence. Maybe it’s true? Maybe it’s a rumor?
Why I am also not skeptical:
I can’t tell if the prototype is a custom or factory. It’s really difficult to tell in the old photo. And white helmets with clear decals look really convincing. Maybe Tennessee had planned on actually wearing the prototype and Riddell made the pocket helmet, only to have Tennessee change their mind?
It’s possible Riddell released the chrome helmet as a special edition, two years before other chrome helmets were released. Riddell has released one-off Chrome and special edition helmets before, but doing that in 1997 would have been unusual, for sure. Still, it’s possible.
Maybe it was part of a team set and Riddell included the chrome helmet as a throwback. Riddell did this with other team sets.
I am definitely not calling anyone a liar or suggesting someone is trying to scam anyone. I only have several reasons to be skeptical. If the 81-96 Oilers chrome helmet is a true factory chrome helmet, that would be an awesome find! I certainly hope that’s the case. I’m curious if anyone else has this helmet or set.
The Colts dropped the black alternate. There are two gaps in the Colts factory helmet history (after 1955):
1956-57. The Colts wore this as a throwback in 2004 and 2021-23. More about this later.
1978-94: The helmet with the white facemask. The Colts haven’t worn this since 1994.
Here are the numbers for the limited edition series totals. Michael Dole has an excellent visual checklist on the Facebook pocket helmet site. It’s a great visual reference.
A few weeks, factory limited edition helmets began appearing on ebay. None have been officially released. They were for the Cardinals (alternate), Texans (alternate), and Jaguars (throwback). The seller has other limited edition helmets as well. They appear to ship from China. I won’t speculate on the authenticity of the seller or the helmets as others more knowledgeable about this have speculated on the Facebook site.
Let’s assume they’re legitimate and they can be checked off the list. To me, that signals that Riddell is sticking with helmets that were worn in 2024. That would leave room for only two more alternates: the Broncos and the Chargers. That would also leave 6 throwbacks: the Cowboys, Lions, Packers, Colts, Vikings and Jets. If I were a betting man, I would say the Broncos alternate and Cowboys, Vikings, Colts, and Jets get manufactured this year. The Packers and Lions are plain yellow and silver, so likely not. I hope not as they are so easy to customize. Not sure about the Chargers.
The Bengals 1968-79 helmet suddenly appeared. It’s not packaged as a Limited Edition series and I have not confirmed it’s authenticity, although the seller – picksixpreiews – is legitimate.
The Bengals haven’t announced a throwback in 2025, to my knowledge. So the existence of htis helmet implies they will soon. Opinion altert: I don’t like this helmet. It’s only letters, not a logo. It’s difficult to read from a distance. The Bengals striped helmet is one of my favorites because it’s unique to the team brand and a clean, simple design. Regardless, this helmet has is notalgic. It’s kind of neat to see it in the speed format.
Interestingly, this is not packaged as a limited edition helmet. Riddell did this with the Eagles throwback and Bengals alternate in 2023. I have no idea where sellers got the Eagles and Bengals helmets. I could only find them on ebay. And who knows why this throwback is not part of the limited edition brand. The Eagles and Bengals helmets from 2023 are still for sale on ebay, so I won’t be in a hurry to purchase this Bengals throwback…I’ve spent enough already on this year’s limited editions!
The 2024 Texans alternate is the 5th 2025 limited edition and 20th overall (including 2024). There have been 10 alternates and 10 throwbacks. So everything is even steven now.
I don’t personally perfer helmet logos that are letters, but this one is pretty sharp. I like the attention to detail with the red flakes and Texans logo on the back. I also like this helmet because it’s difficult to make a customized version. The factory helmets are obviously sharper and cleaner.
The battle red from 2022 is one of my favorite alternates. I doubt Riddell will make that one as it is from a few years ago. In fact, this would have been a great opportunity to make team set: 2022 battle red alternate and the two 2024 alternates.
When my new factory Saints alternate helmet arrived, I reevaluated the gold helmet colors. I noticed six different shades of pocket helmets, as shown in the photo below. The photo below displays the helmets in chronological order, from left to right.
I had to estimate some of the dates. And even though the pocket helmet color changed, in some instances I could find no evidence the actual helmet color changed on sites like the Gridiron Uniform Database, which has the Saints wearing seven different shades of gold in 1967-72, 1973-74, 1975-76, 1978-98, 1988-99, 2000-11, and 2012-present. Other sources have different information and dates. I wish the Saints helmets over the years site had better photos to compare.
So, I created the list below. It’s likely not entirely representative of actual helmet colors, so I wouldn’t refer to this list as definitive. But, I believe it’s definitive for pocket size helmets. Zoom in on the photo below to see the different shades.
1967-75: Old gold helmet, classic fleur de lis logo, grey facemask (traditional; this photo actually displays the 1968 version with the reversed stripes). This color and dates are confirmed.
1976-99: Gold helmet, classic fleur de lis logo, black facemask (traditional). This is the most obvious color change. This color and dates are confirmed.
2000-04: Light gold helmet, classic fleur de lis logo, black facemask (traditional). The color change here is subtle, but can be seen by zooming in. New Orleans did update the logo this year. So it makes sense the color would change as well. Research indicates the Saints kept this shade of gold until 2011. However, the Revolution style helmet, which entered into production around 2005, is noticeably different.
2005-11: Metallic gold helmet, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask (revolution). The revolution style helmet has a noticeably strong metallic colors.
2012-14: Light metallic gold helmet, Metallic Gold, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask (revolution). The Saints did change the shade of gold in 2012. And most claim that the color has remained consistent to this day. However, the newer revolution helmet is lighter and closer to the pre-2011 revolution helmet color than the contemporary speed gold helmet. I estimated the dates.
2015-present: Antique gold, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask. This matches the contemporary color. Again, the date is an estimate based on the year Riddell started manufacturing helmets in the speed style.
Several years ago, I purchased a Bucs two-bar throwback with a grey facemask. The facemask is tightly attached to the helmet, but I thought it could be a factory error. I know the two-bar facemask is not the easiest thing to customize (I have broken a few helmets trying to change the facemask).
A fellow collector – Andrew – reached out to me. He had also found a Bucs two-bar helmet with the grey facemask. And noted it seems like a factory helmet. That is enough evidence for me to conclude that Riddell at some manufactured a Bucs helmet with a grey facemask.
The grey helmet has the RIDDell marking on the back. This marking is associated with the 36-piece set (as opposed to other two-bar helmets, which have the RIDDELL marking).
I am going to assume these are factory helmets and add them to the Bucs checklist. I speculate Riddell made the helmet with the grey marking for the 36-piece set, realized the error, and continued with the orange facemask. The following sites have been updated:
The latest limited edition drop is the Eagles black alternate. The first year this helmet was worn was in 2022, suggesting Riddell may go back a little history with the alternates.
For those counting, this is the 16th limited edition helmet. A list of the limited edition – along with all factory speed helmets – is here. Eight of the limited editions have been throwbacks and eight alternates. As Riddell noted earlier, they plan to release 25 in 2025. Get ready to open the pocketbook 🙂
All of the factory Eagle pocket helmets are in the picture below (with the exception of the new drop from today, of course). The Eagle factory helmets are fairly comprehensive, with a few gaps (1969 “alternate” and various iterations of green throughout the 70s). Two alternates were worn in 2007 and 1994. These are custom helmets, not factory.
Riddell has a lot of places to go in terms of alternates in 2025 for its Limited Edition series. By my count, there are 18 recent alternates alone.
Browns 2022 white
Broncos 2016-23 midnight blue; and 2023 and 2024 whites (3 total)
Cardinals 2023 black
Chargers alternates (2)
Colts 2022 black
Commanders 2022 black
Jaguars 2024 white
Jets 2022-23 black, 2024 black, 2015-18 white
Lions 2023 honolulu blue
Texans 2022-23 battle red; 2024 battle red and stell blue (3 total)
Vikings 2024 white
There could be an opportunity for team sets, like Riddell used to do in the old days. For example, the three Jets alternates could include 2024 throwback. Or the three Broncos alternates with a throwback. It should be a fun year!!
Riddell just posted there will be 25 (!) drops in 2025. No information on whether the drops will be NFL or college. Of if they will be released individually or in sets. Riddell noted the helmets will be more limited. Instead of 2000, only 525 will be manufactured.
While I am excited Riddell is making these, the prospect of purchasing 25 indiviual helmets over the course of an entire year can get expensive. 25 * $15 for each helmet is $375. Part of being a collector, I suppose 🙂
Assuming these are NFL helmets, what can we expect? The first thing Riddell could do is release contemporary alternates. Helmets that have not been manufactured by Riddell are below. Helmets that have been manufactured are on my speed style site. As you can tell, there are more than enough for 25 helmets.
If would be cool if some were released as sets, like Riddell used to do in the old days. For example, the three Broncos alternate helmets plus the 1966 Broncos throwback?
Arizona Cardinals 2023-present alternate – black
Arizona Cardinals 2016 alternate – white
Atlanta Falcons 2016-21 alternate – black
Cleveland Browns 2022-present alternate – white
Denver Broncos 2016-23 alternate – midnight blue
Denver Broncos 2023 alternate – white
Denver Broncos 2024-present alternate – white
Detroit Lions 2003-10 alternate – plain silver, black facemask
Detroit Lions 2023 alternate – honolulu blue
Green Bay Packers 1994, 2013-19 alternate – plain yellow
Green Bay Packers 2010-11, 2022 alternate – plain brown
Houston Texans 2022-2023 alternate – battle red
Houston Texans 2024-present alternate – steel blue
Houston Texans 2024-present alternate – battle red
Indianapolis Colts 2023-present alternate – black
Jacksonville Jaguars 2024-present alternate – white
LA Chargers 2016-19 alternate – White helmet, yellow bolt with dark blue outline, yellow facemask
LA Chargers 2020 – present alternate – White helmet, yellow bolt with light blue and dark blue outline, yellow facemask
LA Chargers 2020 – present alternate – White helmet, yellow bolt with light blue outline, player # on helmet, yellow facemask
Minnesota Vikings 2024-present alternate – white
NY Jets 2016-18 alternate – white
NY Jets 2015, 2017-18 “color rush” alternate – white
NY Jets 2022-23 alternate – black
NY Jets 2024-present alternate – black
Philadelphia Eagles 2022-present alternate – black
Washington Commanders 2022-present alternate – black
Of course, Riddell could go further back in history and made some other alternates, maybe in traditional or revolution styles. Some fun ones could include the 1994 Bills, 1993 Jets, or 1994 Jets alternates.
Many teams wear throwbacks in contemporary speed helmet styles. Riddell could also fill some gaps here:
San Francisco 49ers 1989-95 (2005-08, 2018-present throwback)
Washington Commanders (aka Boston Braves) 1933 (2012 throwback)
Or Riddell could go way back and fill some other gaps and make helmets in traditional or 2-bar styles. I think it would be cool to see the 1966 Broncos, 1960 Chargers, 1974-87 Chargers, 1980-88 Dolphins, 1989-96 Dolphins, 1969 Saints pre-season, 1975 Giants, 1964 Jets, 1962 Steelers, 1964-65 Oilers, and 1972-74 Oilers.
A cool throwback to the helmet the Dolphins wore in 1966. And then again sporadically between 1969-73.
Between 1966 and 1979, the Dolphins wore the same helmet, but with two different logos. In one logo, the Dolphin is inside the ring. In the other logo, the Dolphin is outside the ring. In the early days, the Dolphins would sometimes wear the two different logos in the same game.
In 1966, the Dolphins wore both logos (inside and outside). Then, in 1967 and 1968, the Dolphins only wore the outside Dolphin logo. The inside ring helmet came back in 1969. It was worn until 1973, when the Dolphins returned to the logo with the Dolphins on the outside.
The inside ring logo was used again for game in 1994 as a throwback. However, that helmet had an aqua facemask, not a grey one. The style with the inside-ring + grey facemask not worn again until 2015 as a throwback. The Dolphins have worn this throwback every year since. This is the throwback the Dolphins just dropped.
You may be wondering about the outside ring logo. Well, that hasn’t been worn since 1979. It would make a fun throwback. And maybe the Dolphins could wear both the inside ring and outside ring in one game!
This is the 6th “limited edition” throwback Riddell had made in 2024. There have been 7 alternate “limited edition” alternates, for a total of 13 limited editions.
Other 2024 throwbacks that have not been manufactured in 2024 include: Chicago (1936-37, three orange stripes), Dallas (1960-63), Jacksonville (1995-12), New York Jets (1965-77), San Francisco (1989-95), and Tenneessee (Oilers, 1975-96).
Other 2024 alternates that have not been manufactured in 2024 include: Arizona (black), Cleveland (white), Denver (white), Green Bay (plain yellow with grey facemask), Houston (2 helmets), Indianapolis (black), LA Chargers (2 white), Minnesota (white), NY Jets (black), and Washington (black). There’s also a small backlog of 2023 alternates.
Riddell also released a speed style helmet in honor of the draft in 2025 in Green Bay.
What is interesting about this drop is that it’s from a previous year. Most of the other “Limited Edition” helmets were from 2024. The other two being the Bears (2022-present) and Cowboys (2023-present).
This means Riddell is open to making speed alternates from before 2024. Pre-2024 helmets could include:
Cardinals black alternate (2022)
Bears three-orange striped (2019)
Browns white alternate (2023)
Broncos white 2023 and 2024 alternates
Lions honolulu blue (2023)
Colts black alternate (2023)
Texans battle red alternate (2022)
Eagles black alternate (2022)
Commanders black alternate (2022).
For 2024, non-factory alternates that Riddell has not manufactured are:
Broncos white
Jaguars white
Jets black
Texans steel blue
Texans red
Vikings white
Who will be next? The list above has 16 options. We know Riddell has already manufactured the Lions honolulu blue 2023 alternate, but just has not released it widely. Maybe Riddell will release all of them in due time? Or as a set?
Riddell NFL Pocket Pro Helmets 