History is messy. It’s rarely a straight line, and when you talk about the Washington Redskins football helmet, you’re looking at a piece of plastic and paint that became a literal battlefield for American culture. For decades, that burgundy shell with the white and gold trim was more than just protective gear; it was a religious icon for a fan base that stretched from the Blue Ridge Mountains down to the Carolinas.
People loved it. People hated it. And honestly, a lot of folks were just confused by how many times it changed before landing on the famous "Indian Head" logo designed by Walter "Blackie" Wetzel.
The Evolution Nobody Remembers
Before the logo that everyone recognizes, the Washington Redskins football helmet was actually pretty boring. In the early days, back in the 1930s, we’re talking about leather. Just plain, dark leather. No logos. No flair. Just a bucket for your head. When the team moved from Boston to D.C. in 1937, they didn’t immediately start slapping ornate decals on the side.
By the 1950s, things got weird. Did you know they actually wore a plain burgundy helmet with no logo at all for a stretch? Then came the "feather" era. From 1959 to 1964, the team wore a helmet that featured a single white feather trailing back from the forehead. It looked more like something out of a Robin Hood movie than a gritty NFL gridiron.
Then, Vince Lombardi showed up.
The legendary coach didn't just bring a winning attitude; he brought a branding overhaul. In 1970, for one single season, the Redskins wore a helmet that looked almost exactly like the Green Bay Packers' gear. It had a "G" inside a circle, but instead of a G, it was an "R." Fans hated it. It felt like a hand-me-down. It didn't last.
The Wetzel Design: 1972 and the Birth of an Icon
1972 changed everything. That’s the year the most famous version of the Washington Redskins football helmet debuted. It wasn't just some corporate graphic designer in a New York office who dreamt it up. It came from Walter Wetzel, a former president of the National Congress of American Indians.
Wetzel wanted something that represented real Native American imagery rather than a caricature. He used a portrait based on a member of the Blackfeet Nation. Specifically, many historians and family members point to Chief Two Guns White Calf—the same man rumored to be the model for the Buffalo Nickel—as the inspiration.
✨ Don't miss: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
The detail was intense. The feathers weren't just stuck on there; they hung from a circle, mimicking the look of a traditional headdress or shield. The colors were specific: a deep, rich burgundy and a gold that felt more like mustard than metallic yellow.
For the next 48 years, that helmet stayed virtually the same. While teams like the Eagles or the Giants were constantly tweaking their shades of green or blue, Washington stood still. It became a symbol of "The Hogs," the Joe Gibbs era, and three Super Bowl rings.
Why the Design Actually Mattered to Players
If you talk to guys like Joe Theismann or Darrell Green, the helmet was a point of pride. It wasn't just about the logo; it was the "look." The stripe was key.
Most people don't notice, but the stripe on the Washington Redskins football helmet was a "triple stripe"—white in the middle, flanked by two gold lines. It ran perfectly from the bridge of the nose to the back of the neck. When those helmets got scuffed up by the Cowboys' or Giants' offensive lines, fans saw it as a badge of honor.
The facemasks shifted too. In the 80s, you saw a lot of white facemasks, which really popped against the burgundy. Later, they shifted back to a darker, more menacing look.
But then, the pressure started building.
The Controversy That Wouldn't Die
You can't talk about the Washington Redskins football helmet without talking about the legal and social war that eventually retired it. For years, groups led by activists like Suzan Shown Harjo argued that the name and the logo were "disparaging."
🔗 Read more: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
The team fought back. Hard.
Daniel Snyder, the owner at the time, famously told USA Today in 2013, "We'll never change the name. It's that simple. NEVER — you can use caps."
But the world changed. 2020 happened. Following the social justice protests of that summer, major sponsors like FedEx and Nike basically told the team: "Change it, or we’re gone." When the money talks, the logo walks.
By July 2020, the Redskins name was retired. The helmet underwent its most drastic change since the 70s. The "Indian Head" was peeled off. In its place? Just a gold number on the side of a burgundy shell. It was a temporary "Washington Football Team" look that many fans actually found surprisingly classy. It was minimalist. It felt like a throwback to the 1950s.
The Switch to the Commanders
When the team finally rebranded as the Washington Commanders in 2022, the helmet changed again. They went with a "W" on the side. But honestly, it didn't land the same way.
The new helmet features a matte finish. That’s a big deal in the gear world. Instead of the shiny, glossy burgundy of the 80s and 90s, the new ones are flat. They also introduced a secondary "alternate" black helmet. It looks cool, sure, but for the purists who grew up watching John Riggins plow through a defensive line, it feels like a different franchise entirely.
What Collectors Look For
If you’re out there trying to buy an authentic Washington Redskins football helmet, you have to be careful. There’s a massive market for "throwbacks," but there’s a difference between a $30 plastic toy and a Riddell VSR4 or Speed replica.
💡 You might also like: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Look at the decals. On the original helmets, the decals were thick. They had a certain texture to them. The "feathers" on the side should have a slight overlap over the gold circle. If the colors look too bright—like a primary red—it’s a fake. The real burgundy is closer to a "black cherry" color.
Also, check the hardware. 1980s era helmets used different clips than the modern quick-release versions. If you’re buying a "game-used" helmet, look for the warning labels on the back and the specific player’s number marked on the inside near the ear pads.
The Legacy of the Burgundy and Gold
What’s the takeaway here? Basically, the Washington Redskins football helmet is a case study in how sports imagery becomes part of our DNA. Whether you view the logo as a tribute or a slur, you can't deny its permanence in the landscape of the NFL.
It represented a specific era of smash-mouth football. It represented RFK Stadium shaking under the feet of 50,000 screaming fans. It represented a city that, for a long time, was divided by everything except for what was on that helmet.
Now, the old helmets are mostly in man-caves or museums. The team has moved on. The "W" is the future. But for a certain generation, that burgundy shell with the gold-fringed logo will always be the "real" look of D.C. football.
How to Properly Value or Restore an Original Helmet
If you happen to find an old-school Riddell or Schutt helmet in your attic, don't just throw it on eBay. Take these steps first:
- Check the Date Stamp: Most shells have a circular date stamp molded into the interior plastic. This tells you exactly when it was manufactured.
- Inspect the Foam: 1970s and 80s helmets used "cell foam" that tends to dry out and crumble. Do not try to wear these; they are display pieces only.
- Keep the Patina: If there are scuffs from actual play, don't clean them off with harsh chemicals. To a collector, a "game-worn" scuff is worth more than a polished surface.
- Verify the Decals: If you are restoring a helmet, buy "water-slide" or high-quality vinyl decals that match the 1972-2019 dimensions. Many cheap kits online get the "feather" angle wrong.
The Washington Redskins football helmet remains one of the most documented and discussed pieces of equipment in the history of the league. It's a reminder that in the NFL, you're not just playing for a score—you're playing for a brand that people will fight over for a hundred years.