First time rookie Cole StrangeThe squad was ready for full-squad practice. New England PatriotsA few of his former teammates laughed. One looked confused.
“What are you wearing?”
This was the same as what Strange wore on the football field during his stellar senior season at UT Chattanooga. A campaign that saw him become a surprise first round pick. He knew he could get a few inquiries.
“This,” he said, “is my helmet.” And, yes, that vertical bar down the front of it, which looks like something out of the 1970s, is really the facemask he wears.
“A couple of guys are not fans of it, but I don’t care,” Strange said. “A couple of people have told me to get another facemask.”
The retro facemask will not be discontinued. Whether it made a difference in him arriving here as the starting left guard for the Patriots isn’t the point. He wore it when he was a standout offensive tackle at a small college. He wore it during his impressive pre-draft shows. It was worn through training camp, and he got a job as a New Englander.
“If it ain’t broke,” Strange said, “don’t fix it.”
The summer of 2021 was the first time that the idea was conceived. ChattanoogaA veteran offensive line group had been together for 4 years. They wanted to add something to their time together.
So, one suggested, let’s all wear the same facemask. You could do something more adventurous. Add some flair, you know?
