Football players are always interested in fashion, and how they look on the field. Eye black is common for football players, especially in the NFL.
Eye black has been around for many years, and it is debatable as to why football players wear eye black. There could be a multitude of reasons for wearing eye black during a competition.
Why Do Football Players Wear Eye Black?
Football players wear eye black for several reasons. Each player may have a different reason as to why they wear eye black. Some reasons include blocking the sun or lights, to look good, or because of superstition.
Over the years, more players have chosen to wear eye black during competition. Whether players want to look good, or they believe it does cut down on the glare from the sun or lights, players have done this for years and will likely continue to do so.
What is Eye Black Made From?
Eye black is essentially grease, and over the years, eye black has been changed and has been made from different materials, ultimately making it better.
Eye black nowadays is made from beeswax, paraffin, and charcoal powder. These materials seem to be the best for remaining under the eyes and not running while a player is sweating.
Eye black does take some time to get used to, as it is greasy and for some, irritating. You can see the eye black in your peripheral vision. This does take some time to get used to when wearing eye black.
Are there Other Options Besides Eye Black?
Yes, there are stickers that players can now use under their eyes. You will see that some of these stickers are custom designed with something written in the center of the sticker.
These stickers are made from fabric, but do have an anti-glare technology. These have evolved over the years.
These stickers help avoid the greasy feeling from wearing eye black and are easy to remove after a competition. Sweating could impact these, but not as much as the grease that eye black is made from.
Wearing Eye Black to Reduce Glare
This is essentially the reason that eye black is used. This could be the reason in theory, but this is the reason it was started.
Football players will wear eye black when it is sunny out, but also when they are playing at night. Eye black helps reduce the glare from the sun, but many players wear eye black at night as well because it helps reduce the glare from the lights.
Eye black could improve vision for football players and many feel it is essential no matter the conditions and brightness. In all games, whether it is during the day or at night, there will be some sort of glare. Football players use eye black to reduce the glare so that they are competing and not distracted.
When was Eye Black First Worn?
The 1930’s was when eye black was first used. One of the first players to use eye black was Babe Ruth. He used grease to help reduce the glare from the sun.
One of the first football players to wear eye black was Andy Farkas. The first eye black was created using ashes of burnt cork. Over the years, the idea of eye black and it’s uses have definitely evolved.
Are all Levels of Football Players Allowed to Wear Eye Black?
Yes, all levels of football can wear eye black, however, there are rules in the lower levels of football that require that there is a clean strip of eye black.
Some NFL players wear eye black like it is war paint, this is not legal at the high school level. Most youth levels follow high school football rules with items like this.
Eye black has become extremely popular with youth athletes, mostly because they tend to emulate professional athletes.
Eye Black to Look Good
Wearing eye black has become somewhat of a fashion statement. Regardless of the conditions, some players will wear eye black no matter what.
Eye black looks cool, it looks tough, and many players wear it for this reason. Many players have determined that eye black is part of their uniform and part of their look.
Eye Black as Superstition
This concept is more prevalent in baseball, but some football players are superstitious. If players have a great game and they have worn eye black during that game, they tend to repeat themselves, even what they wear.
Eye black can be superstitious, once it becomes part of what a player does, that player doesn’t want to sway from when he had success in the past. Whether it is part of the routine or it really is a superstition, being comfortable is important to many athletes.
How Does Eye Black Get Applied?
Typically eye black comes in a stick form. Eye black containers are similar to what a glue stick looks like.
In order to apply eye black, usually someone else has to help, unless it is applied in a mirror. Eye black is great, but does take some time to apply correctly.
Final Thoughts
Eye black is popular, at the professional levels, but also at the lower levels of football. Eye black was started in the 1930’s, mostly by baseball players, and then football players adapted it as well.
Eye black works for a multiple of reasons, but the most popular reasons are to reduce glare, to look good, and for superstitious reasons.
At the youth, high school, and college levels, eye black must be applied as one strip under the yes. It can not run and look like war paint.
Whatever the reason one might find to wear eye black, it has become a popular item. Eye black is cheap to purchase, but many do use it for the looks. It has become somewhat of a staple item for many athletes.