Several readers e-mailed in asking about the Trojans' helmets this season, as many of them feature "Schutt" on the back flap instead of the usual "Trojans."

While the helmets may seem different this year, nothing has changed beyond the word that appears on the back flap. Schutt, a national football equipment manufacturer, has been a long-time provider of helmets for the Trojans and, just this year, agreed to pay an undisclosed amount to the program to have its name appear on the back instead of being covered up by a "Trojans" sticker.

The team's other provider of helmets, Riddell, remains virtually anonymous, though. USC's equipment staff affixes a "Trojan" sticker over the name and logo on the back of Riddell helmets, like what had happened for all helmets up until this season.

And for both brands of helmets, a "USC" sticker is placed over the name on the front of the helmet just on top of the facemask.

In terms of the distinction between the two helmets, they're simply made for different-shaped heads, and players choose whichever one is more comfortable.


Schutt, a national football equipment manufacturer, has paid to have their name appear on the back of some USC helmets this season.


Meanwhile, equipment staffers place a "Trojans" sticker over top of the back flap of Riddell helmets.


All Trojan helmets, regardless of whether they're made by Schutt or Riddell, feature a "USC" sticker over the company's name on the front of the helmet.