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College football outlaws ‘overbuilt’ face masks

Georgia fullback Quayvon Hicks (48) wears what the SEC considers an “overbuilt” face mask. JASON GETZ / AJC file
Georgia fullback Quayvon Hicks (48) wears what the SEC considers an “overbuilt” face mask. JASON GETZ / AJC file
By Seth Emerson
May 28, 2015

DESTIN, Fla. — Georgia fullback Quayvon Hicks apparently needs to get a new face mask.

The NCAA has outlawed what it calls “overbuilt” face masks, those that basically cover almost all of the face. SEC coordinator of officials Steve Shaw showed a clip of four examples, at least one from the NFL, and while none were Hicks, the senior fullback wears such a mask.

So why are they no longer being allowed? Shaw listed three reasons:

“These things are so heavy, they’re potential (to hurt) integrity of the helmet. But then also the weight begins to pull guys' heads down, and clearly we want guys' heads up. And then the third (reason) was guys get fingers stuck in. You could see, you could get your hand stuck in there.”

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