Football gloves are many times looked at as an accessory and a
fashion statement, but they actually help. Receiving gloves are a huge part of
the game of football. They provide many things that help out football
players. Some of the benefits it provides are grip, warmth and dryness, and
protection. Even though some players argue the benefits of using the gloves
and choose to play without them, gloves can definitely help you catch the
ball.
The main benefit of receiving gloves is that they give the football
player a better grip on the ball. Gloves help you catch the ball because of
the traction created between your skins to the sticky gloves. The ball sticks
better to the gloves, making it easier to catch. Many gloves are made with
sticky materials that help you latch onto and catch the football. In 1981
receiver jerry rice tried to use scuba gloves, when the NFL banned a
substance called stickum used on the gloves by the players but players found
the scuba gloves to be too thick. Today football gloves technology has
caught up to the needs of football players. Manufacturers used different
materials to solve problems specific to different positions. The cutters brand
developed the successful c-tack material, which improves flexibility and
reduces thickness of the gloves. Reebok and the NFL teamed up to create
football gloves with the griptonite palm material. This material is designed
to remain tackified when wet. Later Nike came out with magnigrip cl based
gloves mainly for skilled position players because of its lightweights,
stickiness, and flexibility.
Football is a sport where you play in various weather conditions, in
the snow where it gets very cold, in the rain where it gets slippery, and in the
heat where you get sweaty. Cold weather makes your hands numb and dry,
making it harder for the players to catch the football. Gloves are made to
keep your hands warm which helps with the blood circulation and making
the conditions easier for the players. There are brands of gloves that are
made thicker and designed for cold weather. Gloves are made to stay dry
from the moisture coming from your hands and from the weather. In the
rain, the ball and your hands become slick. The gloves are made to stay dry,
so you never have to worry about wiping them off and losing the grip. Under
armor came up with gloves with heat gear technology which is intended to
increase breathability for skilled positioned players who have complained
that gloves have caused their palms to over heat and sweat leading to
difficulty in maintain the feel of the ball.
Another important reason for wearing gloves in football is the
protection they give to your hands. All gloves provide some help for your
hands. Without gloves, it is much easier to jam a finger or experience wear
and tear on the hands from a hard thrown pass. There are padded versions of
gloves for extra protection. They provide some cushioning and support if
you get hit in the hands. That support would let the player hang on the ball
instead of dropping the pass.
Grip, stickiness, warmth, dryness, and protection are all reasons why
gloves help you catch a football. These reasons reaffirm my hypothesis. One
former NFL player explains, ‘’Rico Williams wears Neumann football
gloves. He loves how they protect his hands, how warm they are, and how
they give him great grip.’’ (Rovel, 2005). Dallas cowboys star wide receiver
said ‘’ its easier to catch passes with gloves because the ball kind of sticks to
his hands. When you catch the ball without gloves you have to look the ball
into your hands more and grip it more.’’ (Watkins, 2010)
Works Cited
Glanz, Derek. "Definition of Different Grips on Football Gloves | EHow."
EHow. Demand Media, 31 May 2010. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.
Hendricks, Sam. “Fanatasy Football Tips”. June 1, 2009. Fantasy Football
Guide Book. ESPN co.
Onkst, Timothy. "Do Receiving Gloves Help You Catch a Football?"
LIVESTRONG.COM. Livestrong, 25 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.
Rovell, Darren. "Football Glove Makers Are Counting The ways."
ESPN.com. ESPN, 16 Nov. 2005. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.