GRINNELL COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Flat Black Helmets Make Their Pioneer Debut!

In the 123-year history of Grinnell Pioneer Football, no team has ever taken the field wearing a helmet that wasn't either leather or scarlet. Until now!

The Honor G

The Honor G, the official emblem of Grinnell College athletics, was first used at the Iowa state track championship in 1892. Designed by Earnest "Skip" Atherton, class of 1895, the original Honor G consisted of a scarlet maltese cross with a black "I and "C" (for Iowa College) superimposed on the cross. Two years later in 1894, the "I" and "C" were replaced by a black gothic "G", and the modern day Honor G was born. The gothic "G", which was also used on letter sweaters and is now used on letter jackets, was replaced by an Old English "G" in the mid-1930's. After some protest, it was quickly changed back to the gothic "G", and it has remained unchanged since that time.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Flat Black Helmets Make Their Pioneer Debut!