Steelers Pocket Helmet Update

I came across a photo on the Santuario Steelers facebook site today. Apparently, the Steelers made a slight change to their logo in 2002. The differences are subtle and have to do with the shield logos. Here are the differences:

  1. Different Steelers font.
  2. Deeper colors in the diamonds.
  3. A black ring around the grey circle (this is almost impossible to see with a black background).

To my previous knowledge, the Steelers only had two logos: the “Steel” logo from 1962 and the “Steelers” logo 1963-present.

I checked my Steelers pocket helmets. I did notice differences in the helmet logos. I assumed these differences were the results of minor variations in factory printing. It turns out there were also variations in the hypocycloid colors and grey ring. But they were likely intentional.

I went to the authority on all things football uniform related, the Gridiron Uniform Database. I did not see mention of a change between 2001 and 2002. This article by Bill Schaefer detailed the following history. I think the yellow helmets are using a more modern “Steelers” font. So, this could be an error on Riddell’s part.

  1. 1962: Yellow helmet, Steel logo, yellow-orange-blue hypocycloids, grey facemask. The factory pocket helmet from this era has yellow-red-blue hypocycloids. This helmet is in the throwback series 1 and throwback 2 bar sets.
  2. 1963-67: Black helmet, smaller Steelers logo, yellow-orange-blue hypocycloids, grey facemask. The factory pocket helmet from this era has yellow-red-blue hypocycloids.
  3. 1967-77: Black helmet, even smaller Steelers logo, yellow-Vermilion-blue hypocycloids, black facemask. The factory pocket helmet from this era has yellow-red-blue hypocycloids. Vermillion is a color between orange and red I randomly chose. Regardless, it demonstrates the gradual change from orange to red. This helmet, along with the previous 1963-67 helmet, would be in the throwback series 1, series 2, throwback 2-bar, and throwback 2-bar 1969 sets.
  4. 1978-90: Black helmet, more smaller Steelers logo, yellow-red-blue hypocycloids, black facemask. This helmet is in the traditional style.
  5. 1990-2001: Black helmet, Steelers logo, yellow-red-blue hypocycloids, black facemask. This helmet is in the traditional style. According to the Schaefer article, the font was bolded in 1990. A search through Getty Images convinced me the font was bolder in the 1990s.
  6. 2002-present: Black helmet, Steelers logo with changed font, yellow-red-blue hypocycloids, black circle around gray border, black facemask. This helmet would be in the traditional, revolution and speed styles.

As much as I love attention to detail, it’s daunting to research all of the minor variations in colors and fonts. I am going to slightly amend the Steelers checklist for my personal collection. Other collectors may want to be more detailed.

Here is my revised checklist:

2023 Updates

Riddell has released two interesting factory helmets in recent months:

  1. The white Cincinnati Bengals alternate helmet.
  2. The “kelly green” Eagles helmet from the 80’s.

Photo from pocket pro facebook site, Jason Pink

Both of these helmets are in the speed style, which is more modern and updated than the traditional and two-bar styles. They are going for about $15-20 each online. A normal factory pocket helmet is about $5-10 each.

This is very unusual for Riddell. Riddell has never manufactured throwback helmets in the modern style or released factory alternate helmets, with one exception: the 2007-11 Steelers alternate throwback helmet. That was manufactured in the Revolution style. Collectors make custom helmets on their own to fill the gaps.

In a previous post, I wrote about how Riddell could manufacture four types of sets to make up for the lack of factory helmets:

  1. Alternate speed set. These would reflect the most recent alternate and color rush helmets. 15 teams have or will wear alternate helmets in 2022 and 2023. Another 10 or color rush / alternate helmets from the last 10-15 years would make a nice speed-style helmet set.
  2. Alternate throwback set. This set would present historic helmets that were worn more recently in the more modern speed style. For example, the Falcons wore the red 1966 helmet in 2022 as a speed helmet. About 20 helmets would qualify.
  3. Throwback “fill in the gap” set. These would fill in the gaps from the throwback sets that were manufactured in the 90’s and early 2000’s. These helmets would be in the traditional and two-bar styles. The factory helmets from the 90’s and 00’s are increasingly rare, however.
  4. Pro bowl set. This would be a 16 helmet set.

2023 updates as of 8/20 for updated helmets and alternates are below. To my knowledge, only the Cardinals made a change to their normal helmet. Check my pocket helmet Teams Checklist for more details and updates about throwback helmets. I will try to make updates as I hear official announcements.

  • Arizona Cardinals: Plain white helmet, 2023 cardinal logo, grey facemask – Riddell factory helmet confirmed
  • Cleveland Browns alternate: White helmet, brown-orange-brown stripes, black facemask – factory helmet not confirmed, custom only as of 8/20/23
  • Detroit Lions alternate: Honolulu blue helmet, alternate logo, grey facemask – factory helmet not confirmed, custom only as of 8/20/23
  • Denver Broncos alternate: white helmet, 93-96 logo, dark blue-orange-dark blue stripes, white facemask – factory helmet not confirmed, custom only as of 8/20/23
  • Indianapolis Colts alternate: Black helmet, blue horseshoe with white outline, white-blue-white stripes, black facemask, custom only as of 8/20/23

See the 2022 updates for more alternates. Some of those could be on the field this year.

Riddell Non-factory Alternates & Throwbacks: Hypothetical Sets

Riddell does an excellent job with the factory pocket helmets. They are incredibly realistic and well-made.

Still, there are gaps in the history. Most collectors make ‘custom’ helmets to fill these gaps. But what would factory sets look like that fill in the gap?

Alternate Helmet 2022 set

These helmets would be in the speed style and include new 2022 alternates. I would include 7 other recent alternates in the speed style to make the set a 24-piece set. None of these helmets have been previously manufactured by Riddell.

  1. Arizona Cardinals 2016 alternate color rush: Plain white helmet, modern color rush cardinal logo, grey facemask
  2. Arizona Cardinals 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, Cardinal logo
  3. Atlanta Falcons 2016-present alternate: Matte black helmet, black facemask, floating feather lines, straight line between head and arm
  4. Carolina Panthers 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, tapered Carolina blue stripes, Carolina blue panther
  5. Chicago Bears 1936-37 alternate/throwback (worn in 2000s): Navy blue leather helmet with orange stripes
  6. Chicago Bears 2022 alternate: Orange helmet, navy facemask, navy “C” with white outline
  7. Cincinnati Bengals 2022 alternate: White helmet, black facemask, black stripes
  8. Dallas Cowboys 2022 alternate: White helmet, white facemask, blue star with blue and white outline. Also available as a factory throwback helmet in the traditional style.
  9. Denver Broncos 2016-present alternate: Midnight blue, 1997-present Broncos helmet, 92-96 logo with white inside, white-orange-white-stripes, midnight blue facemask.
  10. Detroit Lions 2003-10 alternates: Plain silver helmet, black facemask.
  11. Green Bay Packers 2013-present throwback/alternate: Plain yellow helmet, green facemask
  12. Green Bay Packers 1994. 2013-19 throwback/alternate: Plain yellow helmet, grey facemask.
  13. Green Bay Packers 2010-11 throwback/alternate: Plain brown helmet, grey facemask.
  14. Houston Texans 2022 alternate: Battle red helmet, black facemask, Texans logo
  15. LA Chargers 2016-19 alternate/color rush: White helmet, yellow bolt with dark blue outline, yellow facemask (same as one of the 2020 alternates, but no player # on helmet)
  16. LA Chargers 2020 alternate: White helmet, yellow bolt with dark blue outline, player # on helmet, yellow facemask
  17. LA Chargers 2020 alternate: White helmet, blue bolt with yellow outline, player # on helmet, dark blue facemask
  18. New Orleans Saints 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, tapered gold/black stripe, modern fleur de lis logo
  19. NY Jets 2015-18 color rush alternate: White helmet, metallic green Jets logo, metallic green-white-metallic green stripes, green facemask
  20. NY Jets 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, modern Jets logo
  21. Philadelphia Eagles 2007 alternate/throwback: Blue & yellow helmet, grey facemask
  22. Philadelphia Eagles 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, modern Eagles wings
  23. Washington Commanders 2022 alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, yellow W logo on front of helmet, yellow player numbers with burgundy outline
  24. NFL 100th anniversary helmet

Throwback Helmet 2022 set: Updating to Speed

These helmets would in the speed style. Some were manufactured in previous throwback and other sets (*). I created this set to update the throwbacks in the more modern speed style as they were actually recently worn.

  1. *Buffalo Bills 2005-present throwback (1965-73): White helmet, plain red bison, red-blue-red stripes, grey facemask.
  2. *Chicago Bears 2019 throwback (1970-73): Navy blue helmet, white wishbone “C” logo, grey facemask. Also available as a factory throwback helmet in the traditional style.
  3. Chicago Bears 2010-18 throwback (1955-58): Navy blue helmet, grey facemask.
  4. Cleveland Browns 2006-08, 2021-present throwback (1957-59): Orange helmet, white stripe, grey facemask, player # on helmet
  5. *Dallas Cowboys 2022 throwback (1976): Silver helmet, blue star with blue and white outline, red/white/blue stripes, grey facemask.
  6. *Dallas Cowboys 2021 throwback (1960-63): White helmet, blue star, two blue stripes, grey facemask.
  7. Detroit Lions 2017-20 throwback (1955-56): Plain silver helmet, grey facemask.
  8. *Indianapolis Colts 2010 throwback (1955): Dark blue helmet, white stripe, grey facemask, white horseshoes on back of helmet.
  9. Indianapolis Colts 2021 throwback: White helmet, blue stripe, grey facemask, blue horseshoes on back
  10. *Kansas City Chiefs / Dallas Texans 2009 throwback (1960-62): Red helmet, Texas logo, grey facemask. Also available as a factory throwback helmet in the traditional style.
  11. *Miami Dolphins 2015-present throwback (1966, 69-73): White helmet, dolphin #1 inside ring, aqua-white-orange-white-aqua stripes, grey facemask. Also available as a factory throwback helmet in the traditional style.
  12. *New England Patriots 2009 throwback (1961-63): White helmet, Pat Patriot logo, red-white-red stripes, grey facemask.
  13. New England Patriots 2002, 2010-12, 2022 throwback (1982-90): White helmet, Pat Patriot logo, red-white-red stripes, grey facemask.
  14. *NY Giants 2016-present throwback (1981-99): Blue helmet, Giants logo, red stripe, white facemask
  15. *San Francisco 49ers 2005-present throwback (1989-95): Gold helmet, SF logo with black text border in red circle with black border, red-white-red stripies, grey facemask. Also available as a factory throwback helmet in the traditional style.
  16. *Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers 2009 throwback: Columbia blue helmet, plain white derrick, white stripe, grey facemask
  17. *Washington Commanders 2007 throwback (1970-71): Gold helmet, Circle-R logo, burgundy stripe, grey facemask. Also available as a factory throwback helmet in the traditional style.

Throwback Helmet Sets: Filling in the Gaps

I would include other throwbacks and unique alternates before 2000 in two sets, one traditional style helmet and the other two-bar style helmets.

Traditional Style

  1. Arizona Cardinals 1994 throwback (1955-60): Plain white helmet, grey facemask.
  2. Atlanta Falcons 1985 alternate: Red helmet, black facemask, white-black-white stripes, connected feather lines, V-neck, no white line between the head and the body
  3. Buffalo Bills 1994 alternate: Red helmet, plain white buffalo, white-red-blue-red-white stripes, white facemask. Worn for one game as an alternate
  4. Chicago Bears 1994 throwback (1959): Navy blue helmet, navy blue facemask.
  5. Denver Broncos 1976-78: Dark blue helmet, 1968-92 ‘D’ logo, white-orange-white stripes, white facemask
  6. Denver Broncos 1979-82: Medium blue helmet, 1968-92 “D” logo, white/orange/white stripes, white facemask
  7. Detroit Lions 1994 throwback/alternate: Plain silver helmet, blue facemask.
  8. Green Bay Packers 1994 throwback/alternate: Plain yellow helmet, grey facemask.
  9. LA Chargers 1974-87: Blue helmet, yellow bolt with white and blue outline, yellow facemask
  10. Miami Dolphins 1994 throwback (1966, 69-73). White helmet, dolphin #1 inside ring, aqua-white-orange-white-aqua stripes, aqua facemask. This is helmet is the same style as the 1966/1969-73 helmet. It just has a different facemask color.
  11. Miami Dolphins 1990-96: White helmet, aqua/white/orange stripes, dolphin #3, aqua facemask
  12. NY Jets 1993 alternate: Hunter green helmet, white Jets logo, no stripes, black facemask
  13. NY Jets 1994 alternate: Hunter green helmet, white Jets logo (same as 1993), two white stripes, black facemask
  14. Philadelphia Eagles 1994 alternate/throwback: Green helmet, large silver stripe, grey facemask
  15. Pittsburgh Steelers 1994 alternate/throwback: Plain black helmet, black facemask.
  16. Miscellaneous helmet

Two bar style

  1. Cleveland Browns 1957-59 (also worn as alternate over the years): Orange helmet, white stripe, grey facemask, player # on helmet
  2. Denver Broncos 1965: Orange-red helmet, white bronco, blue/white/blue stripes, grey facemask
  3. Denver Broncos 1966: Orange-red helmet, white bronco with blue outline, white/blue/white stripes, grey facemask
  4. Denver Broncos 1967: Plain dark blue helmet, orange/white/orange stripes, grey facemask
  5. Houston Oilers 1964-65: Columbia blue helmet, white/red stripes, plain white derrick, grey facemask
  6. Houston Oilers 1972-74: Columbia blue helmet, white/red stripes, red derrick with red outline, grey facemask
  7. LA Chargers 1960: White helmet, blue bolt with yellow outline, blue player number with yellow outline
  8. LA Rams 1949: Red helmet, leather facemask, yellow tapered horns
  9. New Orleans Saints 1969 pre-season: Black helmet, same fleur de lis logo, grey facemask
  10. NY Giants 1975: Blue helmet, NY disco logo, white-red-white stripes, grey facemask
  11. NY Jets 1974: White helmet, two green stripes, white Jets logo
  12. Philadelphia Eagles 1969: Hunter green helmet, white or white/silver wing, grey facemask
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers 1957-61: Yellow helmet, black stripe, grey facemask, player # on helmet
  14. Pittsburgh Steelers 1962: Black helmet, “Steel” logo, grey facemask
  15. Miscellaneous two-bar helmet
  16. Miscellaneous two-bar helmet

Pro Bowl Set

Did you know that prior to 1978, teams wore unique pro bowl helmets? Riddell made three factory pro bowl helmets in the 1990s and included them in throwback sets.

  1. 1950-66 East/National: Plain red helmet, grey facemask
  2. 1950-66 West/American: Plain blue helmet, grey facemask
  3. 1957 East/National: Plain red helmet, grey facemask, player # on helmet
  4. 1957 West/American: Plain blue helmet, grey facemask, player # on helmet
  5. 1966-68 East/National: Gold helmet, NFL shield logo red-white-red stripes, grey facemask
    • Riddell previously made a factory version of this helmet.
  6. 1966-68 West/American: Gold helmet, NFL shield logo blue-white-blue stripes, grey facemask
    • Riddell previously made a factory version of this helmet.
  7. 1969 East/National: Gold helmet, NFL shield logo with “50”, red-white-red stripes, grey facemask
    • Riddell previously made a factory version of this helmet.
  8. 1969 West/American: Gold helmet, NFL shield logo with “50”, blue-white-blue stripes, grey facemask
    • Riddell did not make a factory version of this helmet.
  9. 1970-72, 74, 76, 77 East/National: White helmet, blue “N” logo with red outline, blue-red-blue stripes, grey facemask
  10. 1970-72, 74, 77 West/American: Red helmet, white “A” logo with blue outline, white-blue-white stripes, grey facemask
  11. 1976: West/American: Red helmet, white “A” logo with blue outline, blue-white-blue stripes, grey facemask – same as previous, except stripe colors reversed
  12. 1973 East/National: Plain white helmet, blue “N” logo with red outline, grey facemask
  13. 1973 West/American: white “A” logo with blue outline, grey facemask
  14. 1975 East/National: White helmet, blue “N” logo with red outline, blue stripe, grey facemask
  15. 1975 West/American: Red helmet, white “A” logo with blue outline, red stripe, grey facemask
  16. Miscellaneous pro bowl logo

2022 Updates

The following have been confirmed as new helmets for 2022. The Commanders helmets are a permanent change. All others are alternates for at least one game. Only one factory pocket helmet has been confirmed (Commanders).

Riddell almost never manufactures alternate helmets or throwbacks in a contemporary style (speed, revolution, etc.). In fact, I think it’s only happened once with the factory 2007-11 Steelers helmet in the revolution style.

So it’s unlikely Riddell will make factory helmets of the alternates. A set of all the alternates and color rush helmets would be really nice!

Most recent update: 7/28/2022 — 10 alternates, 4 throwbacks

  • Arizona Cardinals alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, Cardinal logo
  • Carolina Panthers alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, tapered Carolina blue stripes, Carolina blue panther
  • Chicago Bears alternate: Orange helmet, navy facemask, navy “C” with white outline
  • Cincinnati’s Bengals alternate: White helmet, black facemask, black stripes
  • Dallas Cowboys alternate: White helmet, white facemask, blue star with blue and white outline
  • Houston Texans alternate: Battle red helmet, black facemask, Texans logo
  • New Orleans Saints alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, tapered gold/black stripe, modern fleur de lis logo
  • New York Jets alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, modern Jets logo
  • Philadelphia Eagles alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, modern Eagles wings
  • Washington Commanders: Burgundy helmet, burgundy facemask, yellow stripe, yellow W logo – confirmed factory pocket helmet
  • Washington Commanders alternate: Black helmet, black facemask, yellow W logo on front of helmet, yellow player numbers with burgundy outline
  • The Patriots, Giants, Cowboys and Falcons are also confirmed to be wearing alternates in 2022. However, these are throwback versions of helmets worn in previous years.

Introduction to Pocket Pro Helmets

This site is about professional pocket pro helmets. It includes helmets from the NFL, CFL, USFL, XFL, and WFL. It does not address collegiate pocket pro helmets.

Pocket Pro helmets are manufactured as collectables by Riddell. They were inspired by the original mini-helmets one could purchase from gumball machines in the 1960s.

To my knowledge, Riddell first manufactured pocket pro helmets in 1997. These were different from the mini-helmets of the 1970s and 80s, which were made of thinner plastic. The pocket pro helmets were much more realistic. Another difference is that the helmet decals for pocket pros are painted on, as opposed to stickers.

Riddell has manufactured contemporary helmets pretty much every year since 1997. If a team’s helmet needed updating, Riddell manufactured it. Contemporary helmets have been manufactured in three styles: traditional-style, revolution-style, and speed-style.

Riddell also manufactured throwback helmets. These were manufactured in the traditional-style (in the Throwback Series 1, Throwback Series 2, and AFL 50th Anniversary sets) and two-bar-style (NFL 1969, AFL 1969, and Throwback 2-bar sets).

Individual collectors have made custom helmets by painting over or applying decals or stickers to pocket pros.

Contemporary Helmets

Riddell manufactured three types of contemporary helmets. These helmets reflected a team’s current helmet logo.

  1. Traditional (these are also sometimes called Throwback). Manufactured from around 1997 through about 2005. These helmets had a “R” underneath one ear-hole and generally a date stamp inside.
  2. Revolution. Manufactured between about 2005 and 2016.
  3. Speed. Manufactured starting around 2016. These helmets have a date stamp inside.
  • Original
  • Revolution
  • Speed

Throwback Traditional Style

Riddell manufactured a 36-piece (series 1), a 40-piece (series 2) Throwback set, and a 9-piece AFL 50th Anniversary Throwback set. These helmets were manufactured in the traditional style.

What does the “R” mean? I am not sure why some pocket pro helmets have an “R” under the earhole and others do not. I think it has to do with the timing of the manufacture. Earlier helmets have an “R,” but later ones do not.

  • Series 2, with “R”
  • Series 2, no “R”
  • Series 1

Throwback Two-bar

Riddell manufactured a 16-piece 1969 NFL Two-bar Throwback, 12-piece 1969 AFC Two-bar Throwback, and 36-piece Two-bar set. These helmets had the same round earhole as the original. The helmets also have a slightly different shape.

There is some overlap between the 1969 Two-bar helmets and the two-bar helmets from the 36-piece set. What makes them distinct is the Riddell label on the back. The 1969 helmets have “RIDDELL” printed in all caps.. The two-bar helmets from the 36-piece set have “RIDDell (ell in cursive)” printed on the back.


  • 36-pc set style
  • 36-pc set style
  • 1969 Style
  • 1969 Style

Custom Pocket Pro Helmets

Custom pocket pro helmets are made by individuals, not by Riddell. As the Teams Checklist shows, Riddell has not manufactured helmets for all the teams’ eras. Gaps can be filled by custom-made helmets. These helmets are usually made by modifying old pocket pro helmets.

Many of these helmets have excellent craftsmanship. I ordered the Oilers, Saints, and Chargers helmets below on eBay. They are really nice. 

Other helmets are modified by just changing the facemask color. I ordered a Colts throwback helmet like the one pictured below. Someone just removed the blue facemask and replaced it with a white one. I know it’s the same helmet because of the time stamp on the inside.

  • Custom Colts
  • Factory Colts
Custom Saints helmet from High Country Collectables. Custom Chargers helmet by The Collection King

The Joy of Mini Football Helmets

From Worthpoint

Many of us Gen-Xers will recall gumball-machine football helmets. For a quarter you could buy a small, plastic shell with a helmet. You didn’t know what team you would get. And you had to assemble the helmet on your own. The team logo was a sticker. A few times I placed the sticker upside-down, which was such a bummer. Due to the adhesiveness of the glue, the mistake was irreverable. The Browns sticker was plain orange, slightly off-hue and unnecessary. The goal post display set was the highlight of my collection (see photo above).

I distinctly recall ordering my own mini helmets. Here was the process:

From Superretrorama
  1. Fill out an order form, usually from a comic book or magazine.
  2. Find an envelope and stamp.
  3. Put the form and actual cash in the envelope. Many of these forms had spaces where you could scotch tape the change!
  4. Mail the form and wait 6-8 waits for your package.

I was little when I did this whole process on my own, and at no point was an adult involved. Millions of kids did this all time in the 70’s and 80’s.

As an adult, I purchased a set of more realistic mini-helmets called Pocket Pros. I don’t really collect anything, but my son and myself are starting with these. Riddell has periodically manufactured Pocket Pros over the last 20 years.

This site showcases my Pocket Pro helmet collection. For the completists, it also includes helmets not in my collection.