Help Needed Indentifying Football Helmet Possibly Penn State

[wpeters143]

I picked this up yesterday at a flea market in Central Pennsylvania and because of the colors, I was hoping it might be a Penn St. helmet. It is quite heavy and too large to fit me and I'm 6'5", 220 lbs., so I at least think it has to be a high school helmet. I have attached pictures and would appreciate any help or opinions. Thank you.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1703.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1704.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1717.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1705.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1706.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1715.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1708.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1712.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1711.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/329189/IMG_1709.JPG

[tom1315]

With the 2007 recertification sticker inside, one more on back you can narrow down somewhat when worn. Peal down the rear bumper to see the year.

I tend to doubt a Penn State gamer. Take a look at Getty sport images for Penn State games and see how their helmets looked...I suspect more decals on back of the lid. See too since there is a #82 sticker inside if someone on the roster that year.

Good luck! Tom

[Shipp_96]

I picked this up yesterday at a flea market in Central Pennsylvania and because of the colors, I was hoping it might be a Penn St. helmet. It is quite heavy and too large to fit me and I'm 6'5", 220 lbs., so I at least think it has to be a high school helmet. I have attached pictures and would appreciate any help or opinions. Thank you.



As someone the collects (almost exclusively now) PSU, and has studied their game worn helmets for months, I can say this sadly is probably not one of them. I can refer you to a couple sites, including the one I myself own to show you why, if you like. The three key issues I see are:

1) Clear side facemask clips instead of blue molded ones. Every one I have seen or photo I have referenced have these.
2) The fact it says Riddell on the front. This is covered up by a PENN STATE sticker or sometimes (but much more rare) LIONS sticker. I could say it was removed, but the RIDDELL molded tag seems like it has seen action, making me believe it was never there.
3) It is also missing a crucial identifier tag inside. This is almost always the clincher. Inside of PSU helmets there is a sticker that beings with R and ends with DW. They have different letters in between, and I have seen this on every legitimate Lions worn helmet. I'm sure it has something to do with the equipment managers odd system (all cleats and jerseys have a locker tag number written on them that does not correlate with the players actual number, for example).

It is a nice looking helmet, no doubt! I think if you were a Penn State fan or wanted to sell it as non PSU gamer, it would be great for signings. You could easily sell it for more than you paid. Being you bought it in Central PA no doubt some high school team wanted to associate themselves with the Nittany Lions. That is my two cents. I know Shawn from Gridiron Heroes also could chime in, as he has owned a few PSU gamers himself.

[wpeters143]

Tom and Shipp_96, thank you for your replies. I searched Getty Images yesterday and was not too hopeful based on what I saw, but I thought I'd ask the experts.

I mainly collect NBA items, but when I saw this I thought it was at least a high school helmet. And since it was only $10, I figured I could not go wrong.

Thanks, again.

[gamewornauthentics]

just wanted to also add that penn state uses the players locker #'s on helmet, jerseys, and gloves and not jersey #'s to link them to a player. so that #82 might not mean it was worn by a #82.


hey ship did you want slplit up this arrington lot on ami

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=67482&qf=title&t=Open&q=arrington&p=0

i just want the helmet; let me know.

best of luck in matching up that lid.

[Shipp_96]

just wanted to also add that penn state uses the players locker #'s on helmet, jerseys, and gloves and not jersey #'s to link them to a player. so that #82 might not mean it was worn by a #82.


hey ship did you want slplit up this arrington lot on ami

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=67482&qf=title&t=Open&q=arrington&p=0

i just want the helmet; let me know.

best of luck in matching up that lid.

That is a sweet Lavar lot. Love the helmet as well. If you win, let me know. I would like the cleats and possibly the jersey as well.