>>...
>>>>>Incidentally, why do gridiron players paint black stripes across their cheeks, under the helmet?
>>>>
>>>>To deflect sun rays. I don't know the exact science of it, or if there really is a scientific basis, but that's why they do it.
>>>
>>>It doesn't so much deflect the sun's rays as absorb them so it doesn't reflect into the eyes. Overall, it makes it a bit easier to concentrate on the job rather than the sun. Not tons, but a bit.
>>
>>Yes, I'm constantly blinded by the sun reflecting off my cheeks. The good Lord has a lot to answer for in such a design flaw - NOT!
>>
>>Why is this impotant to gridiron players (who presumably have a lot of the light intercepted by their helmets anyway) and not to, say, baseball, cricket or footy players?
>>
>>Maybe it's because so many of these players are neanderthals, with over-developed, reflective cheek bones. But doesn't the deep set of their eyes, under the accentuated brow ridges, provide protection? :-)
>
>Baseball players do it too. And like I said, it doesn't make a big difference, but it does make a difference, and I guess any little bit of an edge helps. I think 'footy' players don't do it because they want to be as recognisable as possible when they are rolling around on the ground holding their privates.

Don't you mean "nursing their poor shins that the opposing player has lightly stroked with the laces in his boots while they were passing"

So why don't rugby players use them? You can't call them wusses, and they're defo not worried about their loks