Illini football is back with new, yet old, and improved helmets. This past Sunday, University of Illinois Athletics revealed the six different helmets that will be worn at Memorial Stadium for the seven home games the team will play.
Illinois takes to the field this Thursday, Aug. 29, for its first game of the season against an in-state opponent just 43 miles south of Champaign — Eastern Illinois. For this game, the helmet that will be worn is a more familiar one to Illini fans.
The “Block I” helmet contains a massive, bold blue “I” on its orange surface. It has been the primary helmet since head coach Bret Bielema’s arrival to the program in 2021, according to the Fighting Illini site. This is also the helmet that will be worn for the team’s last home game on Nov. 16 against Michigan State.
Next on the list of helmets is the “Underlined Illinois,” in which “Illinois” is written in all caps across the orange helmet with a line underneath and will be worn against Kansas on Sept. 7. This is another familiar helmet to Illini fans who watched the program wear it from 1989-2012. This time around, the helmet will contain a white facemask with blue and white center stripes to add hints of Illini blue to the gear.
“Arched Illini” is the theme for the next helmet that will be worn when the team faces off against another non-conference opponent, Central Michigan. The Arched Illini helmet fits the name, with curved blue letters displaying “Illini” on the bright orange surface, a throwback to the years of 1971-1987 when the team wore this kind.
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Then, the team has nearly a month-long break from home play, and the Illini return to Memorial Stadium to wear the “Four Stars” helmet on Oct. 12 against the Purdue Boilermakers. What’s special about this helmet is that it is most known for being worn during the years of 1962-68, when Dick Butkus played for the Illini. Players’ numbers will be displayed underneath four blue stars on the orange helmet, along with white and blue center stripes again.
The next helmet on the list is arguably the most noteworthy of them all. The “Painted Leather” helmet, which stands out amongst the others as it replicates the old-school Red Grange period of Illinois football. This helmet is hand-painted with brown hues, with unique custom lids that commemorate Memorial Stadium’s Dedication Game that took place 100 years ago on Oct. 18, 1924. These helmets will be worn on Oct. 19 against the Michigan Wolverines for the 100th Anniversary Rededication Game.
The Illini will conclude with a tribute to the United States’ military, wearing their “Military Appreciation” helmets on Nov. 2 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This helmet contains a massive “I” on its side, with the emblem of the American flag inside of the bolded letter. The team wears USA-themed helmets once a year for its Military Appreciation Game and also presents the various branches of the military on the back and middle of the helmet.
@tess_eken
