If you walked into an NFL locker room in 1975, you’d see a sea of white elastic waistbands. It was the standard. It was the law. But times change, and if you’re wondering do football players wear jockstraps today, the answer is a lot more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." Honestly, it’s mostly "no," but that doesn't mean they're out there unprotected.
The classic jockstrap—that minimalist sling designed by C.F. Bennett of Bike Athletic back in 1874—is becoming a relic. Most modern players have swapped the old-school "cup and strap" for high-tech compression gear.
The shift from straps to compression
Go to any high school practice. You'll see kids in skin-tight shorts that reach their mid-thigh. These aren't just for looking cool; they've basically killed the traditional jockstrap market. Compression shorts provide a snug fit that keeps everything in place without the abrasive "cheese-cutter" effect of thin elastic straps digging into your glutes.
Some players still swear by the old ways. You'll find a few veterans who feel that compression shorts just don't offer the same "locked-in" security. They want that vertical lift. But they are the minority now. Most guys find the 2-in-1 compression shorts, which feature a built-in pocket for a protective cup, much more comfortable for a four-hour game.
Who actually wears a cup?
This is where it gets interesting. You’d think every man on a football field would want a hard plastic shell protecting their most vulnerable assets.
They don't.
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In fact, a huge percentage of NFL wide receivers and defensive backs skip the cup entirely. Why? Speed. When you’re trying to burn a corner on a go-route, a bulky piece of plastic between your legs can chafe, shift, and literally slow your stride. It’s a calculated risk. They trade safety for a half-step of separation.
Linemen are a different story. When you have 300-pound men falling near your knees and stray hands flying in the trenches, most big men choose to wear protection. Even then, the "cup" they use isn't the heavy, brittle plastic from the 90s. Companies like Shock Doctor and Battle Sports have developed "flex" cups. These have a hard core but soft, rubberized edges that move with the body.
What the pros are actually using
If you peeked into the equipment bag of a modern linebacker, you’d likely find a pair of padded girdle shorts. This is the real evolution. These garments combine the job of a jockstrap with hip, tailbone, and thigh pads.
- The Girdle: This is the heavy lifter. It holds the cup (if the player wants one) and provides the base layer of protection.
- The Compression Short: Often worn over the girdle or instead of it during light practices.
- The Traditional Jock: Occasionally worn under compression shorts by players who want "extra" security.
Why the jockstrap is disappearing
It’s basically about biology and textiles. Old-school jockstraps were made of heavy cotton and porous elastic. They got heavy when you sweated. They stayed wet. They caused incredible "jock itch" (Tinea cruris) because they trapped moisture against the skin in the worst way possible.
Modern synthetic fabrics like spandex and polyester blends wick sweat away. They keep the skin dry. Because these fabrics are so tight, they perform the primary function of a jockstrap—support—without the need for those specific rear straps.
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Misconceptions about the "Cup"
A lot of fans think the "jockstrap" and the "cup" are the same thing. They aren't. A jockstrap is just the supporter. You can wear a jockstrap without a cup (most do for general support), and you can wear a cup in a pair of compression shorts without a jockstrap.
In the modern era, the "cup" is the part players hate.
I've talked to equipment managers who say players complain that cups hinder their ability to "get low" in a tackle. If the cup isn't fitted perfectly, the edge can dig into the crease of the leg. If you've ever tried to sprint with a piece of Tupperware in your pants, you get the idea. It sucks.
The "Look" and the Culture
Football is a sport of vanity, too. Look at how jerseys have gotten shorter and pants have gotten tighter. The bulky silhouette of a traditional jockstrap and a large cup doesn't fit the "look" of the modern athlete. Players want to feel sleek. They want to feel like track stars in pads.
There's also the "tough guy" element. There is a weird, unspoken bravado among some players about not wearing protection. It’s a "it won't happen to me" mentality. Until it does.
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Does the level of play matter?
Yes, absolutely.
- Youth Leagues: Most Pop Warner and middle school leagues actually require a hard cup. Coaches do "cup checks" (usually just tapping the front of the pants with a whistle or stick) to ensure compliance.
- High School: Enforcement gets laxer. By senior year, many skill players have ditched the cup for just compression shorts.
- College/NFL: It is almost entirely personal preference. There is no league-wide rule in the NFL mandating that a player must wear a jockstrap or a cup.
The Medical Perspective
Urologists will tell you that a direct hit without protection can cause anything from a simple bruise to testicular torsion or rupture. It’s rare, but it’s season-ending. Or worse. Dr. David Samadi, a renowned urologist, has often pointed out that while the risk of a direct hit in football is lower than in baseball (where a 95-mph fastball is the threat), the pile-ups in football create a "crush" risk.
Despite the medical advice, the trend is moving away from the jockstrap. You can't argue with the sales numbers. Brands like Under Armour and Nike sell millions of pairs of "athletic sliders" and compression gear, while sales of the classic Bike #10 jockstrap have plummeted to the point where the original Bike brand even went out of business for a while before being resurrected.
What you should do
If you're a player or a parent of a player, don't just follow the trend of skipping protection because the pros do it. Pros have world-class medical teams standing ten feet away at all times. You don't.
If you hate the traditional jockstrap, look into a compression jock. It looks like a standard boxer-brief but has an internal "X-fit" system that mimics the support of a jockstrap. It keeps the cup from shifting side-to-side, which is the main reason players find cups uncomfortable.
Actionable Steps for Players:
- Buy for your position: If you are an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, or linebacker, wear a cup. The risk of a knee or helmet hitting your groin in a pile is too high.
- Ditch the cotton: If you still prefer a jockstrap, find one made of synthetic moisture-wicking materials. Cotton is the enemy of performance.
- The "Two-Size" Rule: If your cup is pinching, it's probably the wrong size. Most players buy a "Large" because of ego, but a "Medium" might fit the contour of their body better and stay in place during a sprint.
- Test during 7-on-7s: Don't wait until the first game of the season to try a new support system. Wear your full compression and cup setup during non-contact drills to see if it chafes.
The jockstrap isn't dead, but it has definitely evolved. It's moved from a mandatory piece of equipment to a niche preference for the "old school" crowd. Most guys you see on TV on Sundays are rocking high-end spandex and praying they don't take a stray helmet to the wrong spot.