Vikings

Joe Kapp -  Mid 60's
(Game Worn & Authentic Reproduction)
           

Warning to NFL teams -- Joe Kapp still has his helmet and he still looks quite capable of moving his team down the field. These recent pictures, exclusive to Helmet Hut readers, reveal that Joe still has a fighter's square jaw and that same spark in his eye that reflects the competitive blaze that has always burned in his heart.  Just give him a mission and he will be ready to lead 40 men for the full 60. Great leaders never lose their leadership skills and Joe Kapp will forever be a leader.

Today Joe Kapp's helmet reflects more the way he played versus the quarterback position he played: Taking off on an improvised run to gain an important first down against the Browns in the 1969 NFL championship game Joe violently collided with a Brown's linebacker. The collision knocked the linebacker unconscious but Joe just shook it off and hustled back to the huddle eager to resume the drive. If you were to examine other quarterback's helmets from his era most would be in almost pristine condition -- maybe a little fading from the sunlight. Joe's helmet is physically crumbling today as a result of his aggressive playing style. Joe wore the famous Riddell model "RK-2" suspension helmet. It was reconditioned at the Riddell factory prior to the 1969 season and bears the "Riddell" logo re-stamped with the updated (in the late 1960s) upper case font style on the back of the helmet. The Riddell model "BT-5" one bar facemask is angled upward to help protect more of his nose area. The helmet still bears his player number "11" hand marked on red tape on both sides of the helmet interior. Today, Joe's helmet and that, now retired, Brown's linebacker may be worse for the wear but Joe Kapp still looks like he could still gallantly lead the Vikings on one of those freezing snowy Sunday afternoons at the old Metropolitan Stadium.