- The origin of coaches putting stickers on helmets is contested. Some believe it began at Ohio State, while others say Jim Young started it in 1965 at Miami (OH).
- The stickers on the Ohio State helmets are “buckeye leaves.”
- During his tenure as head coach, Jim Harbaugh provided numerous types of stickers, including “EUTM,” “RAMPAGE,” and more.
While the stickers on helmets may not impact college football odds, it’s something that I’ve noticed plenty over the years, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes.
That said, did you know this is a widespread tradition?
So, before you head to the best online sportsbook in your area to do some football betting, read below to learn more about the stickers on helmets and what they represent for Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson, Stanford, and more.
What Are the Stickers on College Football Helmets?
While watching college football, you may look at the helmets and wonder why they have so many stickers all over them. Some fair assumptions would be that the player wearing the decorated helmet did it that way, but there’s actually a different reason for how they ended up there.
Whenever you see stickers on a college football helmet, these denote accomplishments that the player made individually or as part of a team effort.
These appear on helmets across college football, and the origin of them has been brought into question.
While it’s believed to have begun with the Ohio State Buckeyes, others claim it happened a couple of years before them. Jim Young, an assistant for Miami (OH), awarded them to players in 1965.
Below, we’ll examine some of the most notable helmet stickers.
What Do the Stickers on Michigan Helmets Mean?
At Michigan, the stickers found on player’s helmets used to only span one season, but now they last their entire career at the school.
Different types of stickers are awarded based on team achievements, bowl game success, College Football Playoff and National Championship success, rivalries, individual achievements, and more.
The most common sticker on a Michigan helmet features a wolverine facing left with a number on it.
The number denotes the number of wins to that point in program history. During Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, he gave out a sticker that spelled “EUTM,” which stood for “Enthusiasm Unknown to Mankind.”
Other stickers given out include the following:
- RAMPAGE: This was given after an eight-game win streaker
- TED: “There Every Day”
- There are also three stickers — “Equality,” “Title IX,” and the hometown area code.
What Is the Sticker on the Ohio State Helmet?
Buckeye leaves are found on Ohio State helmets. They are given to players for exceptional play, and the standards for players receiving them have differed depending on the coach.
Stickers are given out in various increments, including one for a win, two for a Big Ten win, and three for a win over Michigan.
What Do the Paws on Clemson Helmets Mean?
Before the current paw print stickers, Clemson gave out skull and crossbones. The head coach determines which players receive these stickers for excellent play.
What Are the Stanford Helmet Stickers?
The stickers provided to Stanford players feature a small axe head called the Stanford Axe. This symbol represents their rivalry with the University of California, Berkeley.
Players earn stickers for making plays, contributing to wins, and showing excellence during practice and games. They can also earn stickers for team accomplishments.
