Another Cowboys Drop!

A 2nd Cowboys drop and the 6th team from the NFC east. Dallas originally wore the helmet in 1960-63. And again as a throwback in 2004-12. Dallas picked the helmet back up again in 2022.

This is a throwback of sorts to the 1960-63 helmet. I say ‘of sorts’ because there are slight differences in the 1960-63 helmet and the modern throwback helmet.

The 1960-63 helmet is a lighter blue. At least the ones Riddell made are. The modern throwback is a darker blue. The photo below shows the differences.

So, this recent release will be the fourth version Riddell has released of this style, including both shades of blue:

  1. Two-bar – lighter blue
  2. Traditional – lighter blue
  3. Traditional – darker blue
  4. Speed – the speed helmet appears to be a darker blue

The two-bar and lighter blue traditional were in the two-bar and throwback series 1 sets. I beliee the darker blue helmet was in the 4-piece Cowboys and possibly six-team NFC set.

Limited Edition Counts

Throwback / Alternate

  • Throwbacks: 11
  • Alternates: 11

NFC: 16

  • East: 6 – Commanders (1/1), Cowboys (2/3), Eagles (1/1), Giants (2/2)
  • North: 4 – Bears (1/2), Packers (1/2), Lions (1/1), Vikings (1/2)
  • South: 4 – Buccaneers (1/1), Falcons (1/1), Panthers (1/1), Saints (1/2)
  • West: 2 – 49ers (1/1), Cardinals (0/1), Rams (0/0), Seahawks (1/1)

AFC: 6

  • East: 2 – Bills (0/0), Dolphins (1/1), Jets (0/2), Patriots (1/1)
  • North: 1 – Bengals (0/0), Browns (0/1), Ravens (1/1), Steelers (0/1)
  • South: 2 – Colts (0/2), Jaguars (0/2), Texans (1/2), Titans (1/1)
  • West: 1 – Broncos (1/2), Chargers (0/1), Chiefs (0/0), Raiders (0/0)

Release & Manufacture Dates

  1. 2024/03/07: Dallas Cowboys alternate – 2023/11
  2. 2024/03/28: Seattle Seahawks throwback – 2023/11
  3. 2024/04/18: Chicago Bears alternate – 2023/11
  4. 2024/05/09: Tampa Bay Buccaneers throwback – 2023/11
  5. 2024/05/30: Carolina Panthers alternate – 2023/11
  6. 2024/06/20: Atlanta Falcons throwback – 2023/11
  7. 2024/08/01: Green Bay Packers alternate – 2024/05
  8. 2024/08/15: Detroit Lions alternate – 2024/05
  9. 2024/09/05: Baltimore Ravens alternate – 2024/05
  10. 2024/09/12: New York Giants throwback – 2024/05
  11. 2024/09/26: Denver Broncos throwback – 2024/05
  12. 2024/10/17: New England Patriots throwback – 2024/05
  13. 2024/11/07: New Orleans Saints alternate – 2024/05
  14. 2024/11/18: Miami Dolphins throwback – 2024/05
  15. 2024/12/19: Houston Oilers throwback – 2024/05
  16. 2025/01/23: Philadelphia Eagles alternate – 2024/05
  17. 2025/02/06: Minnesota Vikings alternate – 2024/09
  18. 2025/02/20: New York Giants throwback (GIANTS logo) – 2024/09
  19. 2025/03/06: San Francisco 49ers throwback – 2024/09
  20. 2025/03/20: Houston Texans alternate (H logo) – 2024/09
  21. 2025/04/10: Washington Commanders alternate — likely 2024/09
  22. 2024/04/17: Dallas Cowboys throwback – likely 2024/09

Commanders Drop

Image
Riddell Collectables X

I am excited for this drop for a few reasons. First, there are a lot of Washington alternate/quasi-throwback helmets out there from 1994, 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2020. This helmet fills in a gap. Second, I am glad they went with a black alternate with tricky logos to customize. I hope they don’t make a Browns alternate because it’s so easy for collectors to make on their own. I would prioritize a lot of other helmets first.

By my count, there’s eight alternates left from 2024 alone. And 10 throwbacks from 2024. This is a total of 18. And then there’s new alternates and throwbacks in 2025.

I do have one minor quibble. I have never been a fan of the “00.” In 2020, Riddell placed “20” on the 2020 Commanders helmet. They could have gone with “22” here. Or even a “24.” This has happened before. Riddell didn’t place numbers at all on the 1960 Patriots, 1966 Chargers, 1961-73 Chargers (traditional style), or the 2020 Chargers. Others place the year, including the 1960 Broncos and the 1960 Browns.

For those counting, that’s 10 throwbacks and 11 alternates. The NFC east has the most with five, followed by the NFC north and NFC south (4 each). The NFC has 15 and the AFC 6. I would think the next AFC team would be the Jets or Colts. We will see…

Limited Edition Counts

Throwback / Alternate

  • Throwbacks: 10
  • Alternates: 11

NFC: 15

  • East: 5 – Commanders (1/1), Cowboys (1/3), Eagles (1/1), Giants (2/2)
  • North: 4 – Bears (1/2), Packers (1/2), Lions (1/1), Vikings (1/2)
  • South: 4 – Buccaneers (1/1), Falcons (1/1), Panthers (1/1), Saints (1/2)
  • West: 2 – 49ers (1/1), Cardinals (0/1), Rams (0/0), Seahawks (1/1)

AFC: 6

  • East: 2 – Bills (0/0), Dolphins (1/1), Jets (0/2), Patriots (1/1)
  • North: 1 – Bengals (0/0), Browns (0/1), Ravens (1/1), Steelers (0/1)
  • South: 2 – Colts (0/2), Jaguars (0/2), Texans (1/2), Titans (1/1)
  • West: 1 – Broncos (1/2), Chargers (0/1), Chiefs (0/0), Raiders (0/0)

Release & Manufacture Dates

  1. 2024/03/07: Dallas Cowboys alternate – 2023/11
  2. 2024/03/28: Seattle Seahawks throwback – 2023/11
  3. 2024/04/18: Chicago Bears alternate – 2023/11
  4. 2024/05/09: Tampa Bay Buccaneers throwback – 2023/11
  5. 2024/05/30: Carolina Panthers alternate – 2023/11
  6. 2024/06/20: Atlanta Falcons throwback – 2023/11
  7. 2024/08/01: Green Bay Packers alternate – 2024/05
  8. 2024/08/15: Detroit Lions alternate – 2024/05
  9. 2024/09/05: Baltimore Ravens alternate – 2024/05
  10. 2024/09/12: New York Giants throwback – 2024/05
  11. 2024/09/26: Denver Broncos throwback – 2024/05
  12. 2024/10/17: New England Patriots throwback – 2024/05
  13. 2024/11/07: New Orleans Saints alternate – 2024/05
  14. 2024/11/18: Miami Dolphins throwback – 2024/05
  15. 2024/12/19: Houston Oilers throwback – 2024/05
  16. 2025/01/23: Philadelphia Eagles alternate – 2024/05
  17. 2025/02/06: Minnesota Vikings alternate – 2024/09
  18. 2025/02/20: New York Giants throwback (GIANTS logo) – 2024/09
  19. 2025/03/06: San Francisco 49ers throwback – 2024/09
  20. 2025/03/20: Houston Texans alternate (H logo) – 2024/09
  21. 2025/04/10: Washington Commanders alternate — likely 2024/09

Who will be next?

The limited edition speed helmets have focused on contemporary designs. So, I am guessing a design for the rest of 2025 must have been worn in 2024 or in the upcoming 2025 season. I would not anticipate a design from 2023 or earlier (like the 2023 Lions alternate). But who knows?

There are nine 2024 alternates still available for Riddell to tap into:

  1. Arizona Cardinals black
  2. Cleveland Browns white
  3. Denver Broncos white
  4. Houston Texans red
  5. Indianapolis Colts black
  6. Jacksonville Jaguars white
  7. LA Chargers (dark blue bolt)
  8. New York Jets black
  9. Washington Commanders black

There are also ten 2024 throwbacks:

  1. Dallas Cowboys silver with the red-white-blue stripes
  2. Dallas Cowboys white 1960
  3. Chicago Bears three-striped
  4. NY Jets 1965-77 white
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars black
  6. Minnesota Vikings (albiet in the lighter modern purple)
  7. New Orleans Saints
  8. Green Bay Packers plain yellow
  9. Indianapolis Colts white
  10. Pittsburgh Steelers (grey facemask)

There are 20 limited spots open. They could easily be filled by the 18 above, but I think that’s unlikely. I think nearly all of the alternates get made. Other spots will be filled with maybe a few 2024 throwbacks and new alternates/throwbacks in 2025.

2020 – 2023 potentials

I personally think it’s highly unlikely Riddell will go back this far. But in case, here are the candidates:

  1. Atlanta Falcons 2016-21 matte black alternate
  2. Buffalo Bills 1965-73 throwback
  3. Cleveland Browns 1957-59 throwback (player #)
  4. Denver Broncos 2016-22 midnight blue alternate
  5. Denver Broncos 2023 white alternate
  6. Detroit Lions 2023 honolulu blue alternate
  7. Detroit Lions 1955-56 plain silver throwback
  8. Houston Texans 2022 battle red alternate
  9. Kansas City Chiefs 2019 and 2021 “alternate” with grey facemask
  10. LA Chargers 2020-23 white alternate – yellow bolt with dark blue outline
  11. NY Jets 2022-23 black alternate

Limited Edition Counts

Throwback / Alternate

  • Throwbacks: 10
  • Alternates: 10

NFC: 14

  • East: 4 – Commanders (0/1), Cowboys (1/3), Eagles (1/1), Giants (2/2)
  • North: 4 – Bears (1/2), Packers (1/2), Lions (1/1), Vikings (1/2)
  • South: 4 – Buccaneers (1/1), Falcons (1/1), Panthers (1/1), Saints (1/2)
  • West: 2 – 49ers (1/1), Cardinals (0/1), Rams (0/0), Seahawks (1/1)

AFC: 6

  • East: 2 – Bills (0/0), Dolphins (1/1), Jets (0/2), Patriots (1/1)
  • North: 1 – Bengals (0/0), Browns (0/1), Ravens (1/1), Steelers (0/1)
  • South: 2 – Colts (0/2), Jaguars (0/2), Texans (1/2), Titans (1/1)
  • West: 1 – Broncos (1/2), Chargers (0/1), Chiefs (0/0), Raiders (0/0)

Release & Manufacture Dates

  1. 2024/03/07: Dallas Cowboys alternate – 2023/11
  2. 2024/03/28: Seattle Seahawks throwback – 2023/11
  3. 2024/04/18: Chicago Bears alternate – 2023/11
  4. 2024/05/09: Tampa Bay Buccaneers throwback – 2023/11
  5. 2024/05/30: Carolina Panthers alternate – 2023/11
  6. 2024/06/20: Atlanta Falcons throwback – 2023/11
  7. 2024/08/01: Green Bay Packers alternate – 2024/05
  8. 2024/08/15: Detroit Lions alternate – 2024/05
  9. 2024/09/05: Baltimore Ravens alternate – 2024/05
  10. 2024/09/12: New York Giants throwback – 2024/05
  11. 2024/09/26: Denver Broncos throwback – 2024/05
  12. 2024/10/17: New England Patriots throwback – 2024/05
  13. 2024/11/07: New Orleans Saints alternate – 2024/05
  14. 2024/11/18: Miami Dolphins throwback – 2024/05
  15. 2024/12/19: Houston Oilers throwback – 2024/05
  16. 2025/01/23: Philadelphia Eagles alternate – 2024/05
  17. 2025/02/06: Minnesota Vikings alternate – 2024/09
  18. 2025/02/20: New York Giants throwback (GIANTS logo) – 2024/09
  19. 2025/03/06: San Francisco 49ers throwback – 2024/09
  20. 2025/03/20: Houston Texans alternate (H logo) – 2024/09

Houston Texans Pocket Helmet Drop

Image

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.

Updated Buccaneers Checklist

I appreciate feedback on my site and checklists. On a recent Buccaneers post, fellow collector Steve noted discrepancies in the modern Revolution pocket helmet flag size.

The two helmets on the left are from the same era and are representative of that style. In 2014, the Bucs changed the helmet color, logo and facemask. This is the middle revolution style helmet in the photo below. The next helmet on the right – the speed helmet – continued that style. The final helmet on the right is the helmet the Bucs currently wear today.

One may notice an anomoly with the middle revolution helmet. Although the flag is the same as the modern helmet, it’s noticably smaller. The actual flag was larger, as shown in the flags on the right. I suspect Riddell figured it couldn’t fit the sword hilt by the ear hole and reduced the size. Regardless, the actual helmet flag was similar in size to the flags on the speed helmet.

I also discovered the Bucs darkened in the pewter color in 2014. That color remains to this day.

So, this is a helmet error. Thanks to Steve for pointing this out! I updated the Bucs, revolution and teams websites to reflect this change.

Left to Right:
1. 1997-2013 traditional (light pewter, 1997-13 logo, black facemask)
2. 1997-2013 revolution (light pewter, 1997-13 logo, black facemask)
3. 2014-19 revolution (dark pewter, 2014-19 logo, silver facemask)
4. 2014-19 speed (dark pewter, 2014-19 logo, silver facemask)
5. 2020-present speed (dark pewter, 2020-present logo, black facemask)

Someday, I am going to research the 1976-96 creamsickle helmet facemask colors. Riddell has manufactured three helmets from this era: a two-bar, traditional, and speed as part of the 2024 limited edition series. They all have different colors. The two-bar is noticeably red. The traditional is orange. The speed is more of a bay orange color. And Riddell apparently manufactured a two-bar helmet with a grey facemask!

See the NFL hex colors website for more information on where I got “bay orange” from!

Saints Helmet Colors

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 2005-11: Metallic gold helmet, modern fleur de lis logo, black facemask (revolution). The revolution style helmet has a noticeably strong metallic colors.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
1967-75 (trad), 1976-99 (trad), 2000-04 (trad), 2005-11 (rev), 2012-14 (rev), 2015-present (speed)

49ers Drop

Riddell is dropping a throwback for the next limited edition series, the 1989-95 throwback.

Image

The 49ers wore this helmet design for only seven years, the shortest run of their three SF logos, shown below. Interestingly, the only throwback the 49ers have worn is from this era. It was worn in 2005-08 and again in 2018 through the present.

The helmet was originally made available as a “throwback” in the 1999 6-piece NFC west team set. Other limited editions that have factory counterparts from previous production runs include the 1966-69 Falcons, 1993-96 Broncos, 1966 Dolphins, 1983-2011 Seahawks, 1976-96 Buccaneers, 1981-96 Oilers (Titans), and 1981-99 Giants.

This the fourth 2025 limited edition helmet and 19th overall (including 2024). In the limited edition series, there have been 10 throwbacks and 9 alternates. This is only the second speed style helmet Riddell has manufactured for the 49ers. Only the Raiders and Chiefs have one speed style helmet.

Revised Vikings Checklist

Well, one learns something new every day 🙂

When I purchased the new Vikings white alternate, I noticed the Vikings had changed helmet colors over the years. It hasn’t always been a regular purple. In fact, there have been four different shades (in addition to four facemask colors and two different horns, not including the white alternate).

I also discovered a revolution style helmet I didn’t know existed. It is for the 2002-05 Vikings helmet. Considering Riddell started the Revolution helmets around 2005, this one must have just snuck in.

Here is a photo of all the factory Vikings pocket helmets. The Vikings are one of the rare teams with a factory helmet for all the years and styles. There are no gaps. The revised checklist is available on the Vikings pocket helmet page.

First row: 1961-79 (dark purple, classic horn, grey facemask)
Row 2: 1980-84 (dark purple, classic horn, grey facemask), 1985-2001 (dark purple, classic horn, purple facemask)
Row 3: 2002-05 (fade purple, classic horn, purple facemask)
Row 4: 2006-12 (fade purple, modern horn, purple facemask), 2006-12 (medium purple, modern horn, black facemask)
Row 5: 2019-present (light purple, modern horn, black facemask), 2023-present white alternate

Giants Drop and Revised Checklist

Riddell dropped the 1981-99 throwback pocket helmet with the GIANTS logo. The Giants have worn this as a throwback since 2022.

Some of you may be thinking: “Wait, the Giants started wearing this throwback annually in 2016, not 2022!” I’ll explain.

Between 1981 and 1999, the helmet with the GIANTS logo was dark blue. In 2000, the Giants switched to the NY logo and changed the color to a lighter, metallic blue. In 2016, the Giants wanted to wear the 1981-99 throwback for some games.

However, the NFL had a one helmet rule. So, the Giants swapped the NY and GIANTS logos on the same helmets. Thus, the 1981-99 throwback the Giants wore in 2016 was metallic blue, not the dark blue the team actually wore.

In 2022, the NFL dropped the one helmet rule. This meant the Giants could wear the GIANTS logo helmet with the darker shade of blue. So, in 2022, they switched the throwback to a dark blue.

I included an updated checklist below. I also updated the Giants team site and will make further updates with photos when my new helmet arrives. I also updated the speed and teams checklist sites.

Other interesting things:

  • The Giants are the only team to have two limited edition series helmets.
  • The Giants have three speed factory helmets, two of which are alternates.
  • This is the 18th limited edition helmet. 9 have been throwbacks and 9 alternates.

Updated Giants Checklist

Possible Riddell Error with the Buccaneers Two-bar

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.

I can find no evidence the Bucs wore a grey facemask. I checked with the primary authority on this, the Gridiron Uniform Database. In addition, Helmet History and the Helmet Project.

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:

So, you don’t need to add a Bucs throwback with a grey facemask to your collection. However, it is a cool oddity.

Andrew’s helmet
My helmets