NFL Squashes Scott Player's Creative Spirit, Forces Him to Wear Multi-Bar Facemask

Last September, the Browns signed old-timey punter Scott Player, presumably in response to this. Teams bring in new punters all the time, but Player merited a mention because he is the only player in the NFL allowed to sport the single-bar facemask, which I sometimes like to call the "Yepremian."

The league banned the facemask in 2004, but players wearing it before the ban were allowed to continue sporting the classy, yet understated look.

Well, so much for nostalgia. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, putting safety above appearance, has un-grandfathered Player from wearing the single-bar facemask, something he learned recently while trying to catch on with the Patriots.

[Player brought his single-bar facemask with him to New England], but was told "just a few days ago" that league rules have changed.

Actually, it's not as dire as all that; NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello explained that Player can still wear the single-bar facemask, "but it must be secured on the helmet with at least two screws on each side as required by manufacturer's warranty."

Apparently, Player likes the flexibility that one screw on each side of the helmet provides:

With Cleveland, the bar was fastened to the helmet with one screw on each side, allowing it to swivel up and down. In a game against the Patriots last season, Player moved the bar under his chin before he received a snap and punted. After the punt, he put the bar back into place, in front of his mouth, to join the coverage team.

With two screws on each side, it would no longer swivel.

Of course, there's a good chance Player doesn't make it out of training camp, in which case, none of this matters anyway.