Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Like it or not, there’s no denying that the Michigan Wolverines‘ famed winged helmet is the most iconic look in all of college football.
In fact, the winged helmet is so legendary that hundreds of high schools across the country have attempted to copy the look. Even some colleges have gotten in on the action. Looking at you, Delaware Blue Hens.
The history of the Wolverines’ famous look dates all the way back to 1938, when coach Fritz Crisler came over from Princeton and decided that Michigan needed a distinctive look to set itself apart from the rest of the country.
So, surely the Wolverines would never make any changes to its helmet, right?
Well…
Michigan Commit Sidney Rouleau Shares Photo Of White Winged Helmet
On a recent recruiting trip, three-star offensive lineman Sidney Rouleau, who committed to the Wolverines in March, took part in a photoshoot.
He shared the result of that photoshoot on social media over the weekend, including one glaring element. Michigan’s legendary winged helmet, which has always been “maize” (yellow) and blue, was maize and white.
The image immediately drew ire from both Wolverines fans and college football fans as a whole.
“Not a fan… can’t mess with the most iconic/best helmet in all sports,” one fan wrote.
“That helmet almost killed my dad,” said another, who shared a photo of a family group chat that included his father expressing his disgust with the new look.
But perhaps there’s no real reason for concern.
“Michigan has artistic license for recruiting photos, but there is absolutely no way these helmets will ever see the field on game day,” Michigan superfan @Michellek4040 posted.
While Michigan’s Director of Football Creative Aaron Bills seemingly confirmed that stance as well.
Maybe Bills is just trying to throw people off the scent. Or maybe people are freaking out over nothing. But one thing is certain, if Michigan ever did alter its famed look, the backlash across the college football world would be seismic.