Why are some NFL players wearing two mouth guards?

(NEXSTAR) — From the collars on their necks to the oversized helmets, there are a number of new equipment pieces you may see NFL players wearing.

A new trend, however, calls for doubling-up on the safety gear — even if that isn’t its intended purpose.

In 2022, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown caught people’s attention when he wore two dangling mouth guards — one bright yellow, the other light blue —  from his face mask. A week later, he wore green and bright pink mouth guards to match with his cleats for the “My Cause My Cleats” initiative. 

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was seemingly in the holiday spirit when he adorned his face mask with dual mouth guards — one red, the other green — in a game two days before Christmas last year. 

Baltimore Ravens fans may be familiar with the practice as well, thanks to rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins. 

In a preseason game, Wiggins also sported two dangling mouth guards — one bright green, the other gold, both matching the opponent, the Green Bay Packers. Last month, in a game against the Buffalo Bills, Wiggins had a black mouth guard, matching his uniform, next to a baby blue one. The baby blue made an appearance again during Week 6 alongside a bright pink, an apparent nod to October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Another rookie, Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman, has habitually worn mouth guards matching the colors of his opponents: against the Arizona Cardinals, his mouth pieces were red and white; against the Miami Dolphins, they were orange and white; while in college playing against the Florida Gators, they were blue and orange. 

(It is worth noting, however, that Coleman has worn a single mouthpiece since Week 2.)

Why, you may ask, does one need two mouthpieces, especially if you can’t wear them simultaneously?

For Coleman, a player often credited for his originality, it seems to be an intimidation tactic. For Pickens, maybe it was just a chance to get in the Christmas spirit. For Wiggins and Brown, it could have more to do with fashion.

When asked about it in 2022, Brown said he was “changing up the drip” (a common slang term for style or an outfit) and “trying to be a trendsetter.”

Mouthpieces are among the least-regulated parts of an NFL player’s uniform. There are approved glove colors, a section outlawing bare legs, and a rule on what a player can wear under their jersey, but there is no additional guidance on mouthpieces. They aren’t even required equipment.

The league rulebook says they cannot display messages relating to “political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.” And that’s it.

That also gives players more freedom to do with them what they will, if they wear them at all. 

Wearing two at the same time isn’t the first stylistic choice made by NFL players. As The Athletic reports, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf used to wear a binky-style mouth guard because he “thought it was cool” while Brian Burns, an edge rusher for the New York Giants, previously wore guards with fangs printed on them. 

Perhaps even more curious is Brian Branch, the Detroit Lions safety easily recognized because of the lime green mouthpiece stuck into the top of his helmet. He even referred to it as his own “little trademark.”

The more fashionable mouth guard options — or those with the better drip, as Brown may say — could have a dual purpose. As some players told The Athletic, their tendency toward a colorful, binky-shaped, or two-at-once mouth guard approach stems from seeing their favorite players before them wearing such options. 

Jay Turkbas, who works for Shock Doctor, told the outlet the design process for their mouth guards has shifted toward what youth players would want to use. That includes the release of one such mouthguard sporting what appears to be a chrome chain, seen here in the mouth of Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison.

What you may notice, however, is a trend of those on the offensive or defensive line wearing simple mouth guards. As The Athletic and other outlets have noted, it is largely those away from the ball, and thereby not as involved in physical contact, who are more likely to sport a stylish mouthpiece — or two.

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