>>>>...
>>>>>>>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
>
>Well, for crying out loud, those guys don't even wear pads. How smart can they be?
>
>Here's me ducking and running.
>

When I was in college one of my buddies played rugby. He invited me to come to the postgame party after one game. I said sure; what did I know? I was even dumb enough to bring my girlfriend along. Big mistake. Nothing drastic happened but if you want to see a bunch of horny goats, pour a half barrel or two of beer into a team of rugby players.