Embedded Files
The football “Winged H” decal
Football Helmet Decal "Winged H"
Football Helmet Decal "Winged H"
Football “Winged H” Helmet Decal
Donor: Coach Bill Herrmann
Story Contributor: Jim Abner, class of '82
Author: Amy Thompson Leigh, class of ‘82
Our varsity football helmets have been stylized with various stickers and decals over the years. This “Winged H” decal was worn on both sides of the helmets from 1981-1987. This was the symbol our opponents saw flashing past them on the field when we won the Kentucky Class AAA state championships in 1981 and 1982. According to Coach Herrmann (in the KY Post article ), the players voted to change the helmet decal from the “Fierce Bluebird” to the “Winged H.” Coach Bill Herrmann and Coach Jack Eicher were coaches during this era.
Below, is a Dan Weber article about the new “Winged H” decal and our Bluebirds.
Coach Herrmann (see “Fierce Bird” helmet sticker behind him)
The “Fierce Bird – or - Mean Bird” helmet sticker was worn until 1980, when we transitioned to the featured “Winged H,” in 1981. During the mid to late 70’s (the era of the Mean Bird helmet decals), players who made special plays earned a small (quarter-sized) mini-mean bird decal. These small decals would go on the backs of their helmets. This highly motivating strategy produced some guys having as many as 20 mini-bird decals by the end of a season. These earned mini-decals were a big deal for players (and were respected by fans). The decals were offered for offensive and defensive players of the week as well as for special-teams players. Players earned one if they scored a touchdown or threw for one.
They also could receive a mini decal for individual big plays such as a game-saving tackle, a big block that resulted in a touchdown, an interception, a fumble recovery, etc. Also, each varsity player received at least one decal for a won game.
In 1988, Coach Duffy ordered new helmet decals that were blue-winged (like the Philadelphia Eagles’ wings), but they arrived the wrong color (purple), so our players simply wore two blue stripes straight down the middle of the white helmets for that season. In 1989, Coach Tom Duffy implemented the blue “H” with the two stripes that adorn our helmets still today.
Bonus Helmet info: In our 100th Year, we had a special helmet style… our state KY Class 4A players wore a “Tradition 100 Year Excellence” decal on one side and the “Fierce Bird” on the other in 2014. Then in 2015, they wore the “Fierce Bird” on one side and the Blue “H” on the other side. Finally, in 2016 the team went back to wearing the Blue “H” on both sides.
Another interesting helmet story is from the early 1970’s. As typical of opposing sports teams, our opponents tried to demean us with insulting nicknames.
John Abner pictured above with “Tradition – 100-year Excellence” helmet decal
Because our football players had to follow a strict regimen (including being home by 8:30 pm on weeknights during the season), some other teams flung insults including “8:30 Babies,” at our team. Our players decided to write “8:30 Babies” on the sides of their helmets, thus diminishing the sting of this insult by proudly owning the title. The same thing occurred with the insult “Cake-eaters,” which backfired into a badge of honor rather than a shameful label. Who knew football helmets and their decals had such interesting stories.
Football, mascot, logo, State Champion
Page updated
Report abuse