FanHouse Scott Player

Last September, the Browns signed old-timey punter Scott Player, presumably in response to this. Teams bring in new punters all the time, but Player merited a mention because he is the only player in the NFL allowed to sport the single-bar facemask, which I sometimes like to call the "Yepremian."

The league banned the facemask in 2004, but players wearing it before the ban were allowed to continue sporting the classy, yet understated look.

Well, so much for nostalgia. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, putting safety above appearance, has un-grandfathered Player from wearing the single-bar facemask, something he learned recently while trying to catch on with the Patriots.

[Player brought his single-bar facemask with him to New England], but was told "just a few days ago" that league rules have changed.

Actually, it's not as dire as all that; NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello explained that Player can still wear the single-bar facemask, "but it must be secured on the helmet with at least two screws on each side as required by manufacturer's warranty."

Apparently, Player likes the flexibility that one screw on each side of the helmet provides:

Thanks to First And 10 Inches for pointing out that with the return of punter Scott Player to the NFL -- Player averaged 46.4 yards on five punts with two inside the 20 in his debut with the Browns yesterday -- we now have an NFL player with a one-bar facemask.

The NFL banned the one-bar facemask in 2004, but players who wore it before the ban were allowed to keep it. And Player has worn the one-bar facemask since he entered the league in 1998.

It's kind of amazing that Player actually wants to wear a one-bar facemask. Sure, he's a punter, but punters have to make tackles sometimes, too. Doesn't he want to protect his face?

At the same time, I have to say, I enjoy seeing him out there with the old-school facemask.