Why Do Football Players Wear Eye Black?
Have you ever watched a football game and noticed players with black marks or stickers under their eyes? Reducing glare, intimidation, and spreading a message (which is now banned) are a few popular reasons players use eye black.
Why Do Players Wear Eye Black?
The answer to this question is that eye black takes away from the direct glare from the sun or the field lights.
Eye black reduces glare from the sun or bright stadium lights, making it easier to spot the ball and their teammates on the field.
And while it can be hard to believe, researchers at Yale found it really does reduce glare.
The black color absorbs reflective light from the sun and prevents excess light reflecting off your cheeks into your eyes. This means that there is less glare in your eyes as you play, which makes it easier to see the ball when it comes your way.
SO, WHO CAME UP WITH THIS TREND?
The first instance of a player using eye black was Redskins Fullback, Andy Farkas back in 1942 who claims he came up with the idea himself. No one really knows but the trend caught on and an early technique for applying eye black before the adhesive stickers and grease sticks you can get at any good sports shop, was the burnt cork method. A lighter could be held to the end of a cork and the resulting ash and char could be applied directly to the cheekbones of a player. Since then the trends have changed and although the stickers are the most modern, the grease sticks make the eye black look so much cooler, like modern war paint.
SO, ARE PLAYERS LIMITED TO THE STANDARD BLACK STRIPE?
No not at all, in fact after Reggie Bush famously adorned his face with 619 and S.E. in honor of his hometown’s area code and location. NCAA student-athletes have even taken to bringing logos into their eye black, however, this would take away from the eye black’s effects. Players at Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, LSU, Ohio State, BYU, Mizzou and many others have taken to sporting uni logos on their eye black. In LSU players either use the LSU logo or the Tiger Head to represent the team name.
Overall Eye black has been a great tool to prevent glare and also been used as something to personalize the player’s look. I think it is only proper to add that this is the last option to utilize if you don’t have a Shoc Visor on your helmet that day for some unforeseen reason.
More History
Eye black has been popular in the USA for a long time. Notably, baseball legend Babe Ruth in the 1930s used it to reduce glare while batting. Supposedly, this is where football players got the idea.
Back then, players had to burn cork at home to create black smudges, but today, players can buy ready-to-wear eye black, either as a grease or stickers, sometimes with fun designs or team logos.
Warning! It's worth noting that organizations may not allow players to use eye black or stickers, so check with your coach first.
For ex: the NCAA does not allow face paint with words & messages, sometimes called the Tim Tebow Rule.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY SOME EYE BLACK?
Well if you are interested in a throwback you could use the old cork method, however, we would recommend grease sticks as they are easier to apply and look more primal and intimidating than the stickers. You can get the grease sticks at most local sports shops but if you want to have a look online, check out eyeblack.com as they have a wide selection of eyeblack and stickers with a heap of different designs.
War paint & Native American Origins
While there are scientific and stylistic reasons for wearing eye black, some players choose it for symbolic or psychological reasons, similar to how warriors from many cultures historically used face paint—to rally, inspire, and boost courage before going into battle.
Face painting traditions span countless cultures around the globe, including Native American tribes such as the Teton Sioux of the Plains, who used black paint to symbolize victory (source). Recently, greater sensitivity toward Native American customs has led sports teams, like the Washington Commanders, to avoid Native imagery or symbols out of respect for Indigenous peoples and their cultures.
If you choose to wear eye black inspired by these traditions, always follow league guidelines, respect the origins, and avoid getting any near your eyes!
Fun Facts & Pop Culture
- Tim Tebow once wore eye black stickers with messages, like Bible verses, sparking a popular trend. This became so widespread the NCAA banned messages on eye black in 2010.
- Reggie Bush, another famous player, famously wrote "619" (San Diego's area code) on his eye black to represent his hometown.
- Fans and even movie characters often wear eye black as a fun symbol of team spirit!
In Conclusion
Next time you're watching a game, you can explain that players wear eye black not only to look tough but to improve their vision and concentration on the field. Maybe you’ll even try it yourself for your next sunny practice—just remember to ask your coach first!
Sources:
Michael Simon
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