Michigan State Spartans Unveil Script “State” Helmets

The Michigan State football program on Friday morning unveiled a new helmet option that pulls inspiration from the uniforms worn by the men’s basketball team on the way to the 1979 national championship.

https://twitter.com/MSU_Football/status/1365345323791491078

The white helmets – which head coach Mel Tucker said were supposed to be worn at Maryland last season before that game was twice cancelled due to a coronavirus outbreak within the Terrapins’ program – feature a green facemask and green script “State” on both sides. This script was prominently displayed on the Spartans’ home basketball uniforms in 1979, as well as on throwback uniforms in recent seasons.

Michigan State appropriately revealed the new helmet with a video of redshirt junior safety Michael Dowell roaming the concourse of the Breslin Center and sitting in the basketball team’s locker room before strapping on the helmet and walking out to center court. It is narrated by head basketball coach Tom Izzo, who has led the Spartans to eight Final Four appearances and one national title during his 26-year tenure with the Spartans.

Tucker, meanwhile, struggled to a 2-5 record in his first season at Michigan State. He wasn’t shy about experimenting with different looks, though.

In addition to their standard helmet – which features a white logo, a stripe that mimics a plume and a white facemask – the Spartans wore a Block “S” on one side of their helmet during a 24-0 loss to Indiana on Nov. 14 as a tribute to late coach George Perles; neon green logos and a dark green facemask during a 29-0 win over Northwestern on Nov. 28; white logos with a dark green facemask during a 52-12 loss to Ohio State on Dec. 5; and “Gruff Sparty” logos during a 39-24 loss at Penn State on Dec. 12.

The four alternate helmets worn in 2020 included a thin white stripe, whereas the script “State” helmet does not have a contrasting stripe down the middle.