It is a sad but reflective day at Helmet Hut
headquarters because of the passing of Army's legendary Heisman Trophy winner
Glenn Davis -- "Mr. Outside." His outstanding records and achievements will
be recapped in countless news stories this week but we choose to remember him
in a simpler but perhaps more meaningful way.
In the mid 1940s, College Football had suddenly became a prestigious
national spectator sport that helped to perpetuate the heroic spirit shared
by the millions of men who were returning to our shores after so
bravely defending our country. As for the nation's youth, there was no more
effective geography teacher than the nationwide spread of interstate college
football rivalries. While a young man in a rural Kansas schoolhouse would soon
forget his teacher's lessons about the City of Philadelphia and its historical
importance to the country, that same student would forever remember it
because the illustrious Army / Navy game was played there almost every year.
During this unforgettable decade the plastic football helmet was just being
introduced by Riddell. Army was one of the very first team's to wear this
revolutionary new design. The memory of Glen Davis wearing that handsome
reflective gold helmet with the distinctive black center stripe while
gallantly leading the ledgendary Army team to another crucial victory is no
less a national treasure than General Patton and his "downward tilted"
infantry helmet, President Lincoln and his tall black top-hat, John Wayne and
his white cowboy hat and John Glenn floating in space with the earth's
reflection dominating his visor shield.
Several years ago the NBA chose to memorialize the image of Jerry
West (perhaps their own version of "Mr. Outside") and his positive impact on
their sport with a special permanent patch on their uniforms. College Football
would be well served to adopt a similar patch bearing the likeness of Mr.
Glenn Davis wearing that classic Riddell "RT" plastic helmet.
We will never forget the special brilliance of College Football, Army and
Glenn Davis in the mid 1940s, an era in which even the helmets started to
shine!
