The New York Times travels to high school, college and pro football locker rooms across the country to discuss this year's must-have fashion accessory: Eye Black, as modeled by Will Demps above.
On the high school level, "most kids think it’s intimidating or it looks good. No one uses it to block out the light." Not necessarily the case in the National Football League where Jerricho Cotchery described...
"A scene in the Jets’ locker room before a game last Sunday, when he and his fellow receiver Laveranues Coles applied eye black as if they were showgirls applying false eyelashes."
Laveranues Coles says that playing without eye black grease was like “playing with no shoulder pads or no helmet.” Although he grew up in sunny Florida, Coles said he never used eye black until he reached the N.F.L. and struggled with glare from stadium lights.
Of course, most athletes do not seem to care much about its intended use and the smudges, pathches and decals have become popular fashion accessories. In case you're wondering if eye black actually works or just help athletes to look even sexier—the answer is yes. A Yale University study tested sensitivity to the sun while wearing eye black grease (Coles), adhesive stickers (Demps) and a placebo. Survey says: "A small, but statistically significant, improvement in contrast sensitivity and glare reduction for participants who wore the eye grease."
The secret is in the grease.
Eye Black Used to Cut Glare or Turn Up Spotlight (NYT)
More Will Demps and Laveranues Coles:
Will Demps on Gays (Rod 2.0) Happy Birthday Will! (Rod 2.0) In the Kitchen (Rod 2.0) A Very Special Oprah (Rod 2.0)
This is so funny, I noticed Will Demps wearing it during yesterday's game. So sexy. Didn't help tho, oh well.
Posted by: Derrick | 04 December 2006 at 16:54
Okay, now I finally found out what these were for. Never knew. here are hot, tho, especially the adhesive.
Posted by: ATL Kid | 04 December 2006 at 17:07
This is so damn funny. Particularly to a kid who grew up in a locker room (dad is a college football coach). lol
Posted by: seanndc | 04 December 2006 at 17:53
I never knew what the eye black was for. I just thought that it was war paint. Now i know.
Posted by: Greg | 04 December 2006 at 19:12
Aww, Lavareneus is sooo sweet. I remember him on that Oprah epsidoe you profiled. Such a sweety.
Posted by: Tony R | 04 December 2006 at 19:57
im suprised that folk didnt know the paint was used to protect players' eyes from the sun...
but the above comment about the players applying it like they were showgirls putting on makeup??
HEE-LARIOUS!!
Posted by: Ryan | 05 December 2006 at 11:54
It looks hot and also has a purpose. I love it!
Posted by: Boogie | 05 December 2006 at 12:32
I think the affects from eye black are largely in the mind. We wore it when I played football in high school, and I don't recall it cutting down glare at all really. You're just reminded you have this stuff on your cheeks.
Posted by: Bernie | 06 December 2006 at 11:22