Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another deep dive into the nitty-gritty of the sports world. Today, I’m tackling a question I’ve been getting a lot lately: “What shoulder pads do NFL players wear?” I took it upon myself to find out, and let me tell you, it was quite the journey.
First off, I started with the usual – hitting up the internet. I figured there had to be tons of info out there, right? I mean, it’s the NFL, one of the biggest sports leagues in the world. I was browsing many pages, and a brand called Douglas kept popping up. The information I found says they’re a big deal, with like 85% of Division 1-A college players and a bunch of NFL pros using them. That’s a pretty solid endorsement. Apparently, they’re not just about protection, which is obviously key, but also about keeping the price tag reasonable. I dug into what makes these pads so popular. It’s all about that high-quality, tough design. They’re built to take those insane hits that football players endure, game after game.
Then I discovered, and you all might know, that sometimes players wear extra padding, like a foam rubber cushion over a cotton half-tee, for added comfort. Shoulder pads do two main things: they absorb some of the shock from impacts, and they kind of deform a bit to do it, which is pretty smart.

As I was scrolling through more and more articles, Schutt popped up on a top 10 list. That’s another name I’ve heard tossed around. Specifically, their XV HD model seemed like a big deal. And it wasn’t just about the brands, though. I realized that these pads are super important, just like how players need those protein supplements. I also noticed big names like Nike and Under Armour in the mix, which makes sense, given they’re everywhere in sports gear.
This got me thinking about the importance of having the right gear. I mean, it’s not just about looking cool or showing off a brand. It’s about safety and making sure these guys can keep playing the game they love without getting hurt. It is not just the shoulder pads, the NFL also requires players to wear thigh and knee pads during games to better protect them from leg injuries. Same with helmets.
- I read up on some forums and fan discussions.
- Watched a few videos of equipment managers talking about their choices.
- Checked out some player interviews where they mention their gear preferences.
After all this digging, I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on the shoulder pad situation in the NFL. It’s a mix of trusted brands like Douglas and Schutt, with some big names like Nike and Under Armour also in the game.
So, there you have it. That’s my little adventure into the world of NFL shoulder pads. Hope you guys found it as interesting as I did. Until next time, keep it real, folks!