Michigan Winged Helmet

Who was responsible for designing the football helmets for the University of Michigan football team?

Michigan's famed winged football helmet dates back to 1938, when Fritz Crisler arrived from Princeton University with his penchant for detail and style.

"Michigan had a plain black helmet and we wanted to dress it up a little," Crisler recalled. "We added some color (maize and blue) and used the same basic helmet I had designed at Princeton."

There was one other consideration. Fritz thought this unique helmet could be helpful to his passers as they tried to spot their receivers downfield. "There was a tendency to use different-colored helmets just for receivers in those days, but I always thought that would be as helpful for the defense as for the offense," offered the former Wolverine football coach and athletic director.

From the Bentley Historical Library