25
Oct
2011
Top 10 Neck Rolls in NFL History (PICS)
(Photo: wireimage.com)
Inspired by this recent New York Times piece, which examines the disappearance of neck rolls from the game of football, we decided to compile a list of the greatest neck rolls in NFL history.
The neck roll apparatus – which theoretically protects against injuries by helping to stabilize the neck – was a standard part of the uniform for anyone playing youth or high school football in the 80s or 90s. And although sports science seems to have proven neck rolls to be relatively useless as an injury prevention tool, they will always hold a warm place in our football memories.
From the Times piece:
It goes by names like cowboy collar and butterfly restrictor, can look like a cut-up life preserver, a miniature washboard or a tube of cookie dough and, depending on whom you ask, is incredibly effective or about as necessary as an appendix.
(…)
Much like Spandex did not, in fact, make everybody who wore it look thinner, neck rolls became another disappearing fad because they were probably more style than substance, said Stephen J. Straub, a professor of athletic training and sports medicine at Quinnipiac University.
Straub was involved in a 2003 study that examined three different types of neck rolls and ultimately concluded that “they’ve never been shown to be effective,” he said, adding: “In a lab, they seem to be able to control the head, at least a little bit. But no one has been able to show that on a football field.”
If nothing else, they at least helped make you look more intimidating on the field (well, except on Grogan, that is), and we’ll continue to hold out hope for a comeback as we pay tribute to the once-ubiquitous neck roll with the following glorious images.
TOP 10 NECK ROLLS IN NFL HISTORY
(If you think of any other players who donned a neck roll during their career and we may have omitted from our list, please let us know in the comments)
1. Steve Grogan – New England Patriots
Grogan and his fabled 2-story neck roll (Photo: BleacherReport.com)
(Photo: ESPN.com)
25
Sep
2009
Forget Vick, watch these Randall Cunningham highlights instead
With all the hullabaloo surrounding Michael Vick making his return to the NFL this Sunday, we here at ReadAndReact are reminded of a former great QB for the Philadelphia Eagles. One who didn’t gain notoriety by torturing animals: Randall Cunningham.
Cunningham was the the original scrambling QB, and he had a knack for extending plays and making thinks happen with his feet unlike anyone to play the position before or since. Combine that with his cannon of an arm, and Cunningham was nearly an unstoppable force when at his prime. Just watch:
Trust me, a Giants fan, it was difficult to post this. During the late 80s/early 90′s, I absolutely loathed having to watch NY play the Eagles. You always knew that it was going to be a long day going against Cunningham, and he’s a large part of the reason I grew to hate the Eagles so much. But no matter what, I’ve always appreciated how great of an athlete and a football player Cunningham was. And that holds true even moreso today.
There are two Cunningham plays in particular that I’ll never forget:
- 1988, when Cunningham evaded the seemingly sure tackle of Giants LB Carl Banks to throw a TD strike at the back of the endzone (2:08 of the above highlight reel). That play will haunt Giants fans forever.
- 1989, I was actually at the Meadowlands when Randall Cunningham came in as the Eagles emergency punter. We were sitting behind him in the end zone, when with the wind at his back, Cunningham blasted a record 91-yd punt! Check it out:
