This draft week, we look beyond the players — to the U.S. manufacturers that keep the game moving.
As the National Football League Draft rolls into Green Bay this week, all eyes are on Lambeau Field and football’s best new talent. It’s a time for fans to celebrate their teams, for college hopefuls to chase their pro dreams — and for us to shine a light on the unsung stars of football: the gear. While the players take center stage, much of what they wear, train with, and play on is crafted right here in the United States.
Let’s take a walk through the American-made gear powering the sport we love.
Helmets:
Riddell, made in Elyria, Ohio, makes more than a million helmets each year — including the SpeedFlex, worn by athletes across the league — many of whom will be hearing their names called in Green Bay this week.
LIGHT Helmets, made in Carlsbad, Calif., are currently being used by players on 28 NFL teams. Aptly named, these are the lightest football helmets in the world, specifically designed to absorb impact.
Shoulder Pads & Rib Protectors:
Douglas Pads are the gold standard, supplying many NFL and college players with custom-fitted protection. They also manufacture rib protectors — both manufactured in the US for over 30 years.
XTECH shoulder pads, made in East Hanover, N.J., utilize advanced plastics and foam technology to provide elite-level protection and comfort, making them a preferred choice among professional football players.
Thigh, Knee, Hip & Tailbone Pads:
TreDCAL, family-owned and operated in Lexington, Ky., these custom knee pads have gone viral within the NFL, with now more than 600 players wearing them.
Douglas Pads continues to make the list for top protective football gear with options to buy all of these pads, made in Houston, Texas.
Mouthguards:
GuardLab produces its high-performance mouthguards in Farmingdale, N.Y. Known for using 3D scanning and printing technology, GuardLab offers BPA-free, custom-fit mouthguards worn by athletes across the NFL and beyond. Their facility on Long Island is where precision meets protection.
Vettex, made by Markwort Sporting Goods in St. Louis, Mo., has been a staple in football for over 60 years.
Footballs and Kicking Tees:
Wilson Sporting Goods, made in Ada, Ohio, produces every single NFL game ball. Each one is hand-stitched and prepped for action at a facility that’s been making and hand-stitching game balls for over 70 years. Supplying Wilson with pebbled cowhide is Horween Leather, in Chicago, Ill., where they have supplied leather for every NFL and college football for the last 70 years. Our own Jeff Bonior wrote about Wilson’s new football factory a few months ago, highlighting the team of 140 union workers that make these iconic footballs by hand.
Roger’s Athletic, in Clare, Mich., makes the Ground Zero branded kicking tee. It has been used in every NFL game since 1999.
Goalposts & Scoreboards:
Sportsfield Specialties goalposts, made in Delhi, N.Y., supplies goalposts to 23 NFL stadiums, including Super Bowl venues.
Aluminum Athletics Equipment, made in Royersford, Penn., is another supplier of goalposts. They count the Packers, Eagles, and Cowboys among their clients.
Daktronics, made in Brookings, S.D., is the maker of scoreboards that light up stadiums across the country.
Training Equipment:
Rogers Athletic, in Clare, Mich., makes high-performance training equipment, including blocking and tackling sleds, offensive and defensive linemen chutes, and football dummies that help players practice before game day. Rogers is the main football equipment supplier for the NFL.
With the NFL Draft spotlighting the future of football, it’s the perfect time to appreciate the people and companies behind the scenes. From helmet spinners in Ohio to scoreboard engineers in South Dakota, these products support the game at every level — while keeping American workers on the job.
So as you watch that next touchdown or cheer for your team’s first-round pick, take a second to consider the football, pads, and goalposts that make it all possible—and the proud U.S. makers who keep the game going strong.
If you want to tune in to watch the NFL Draft kick off on Thursday, April 24, set your clock for 8:00 p.m. ET and turn on ESPN, ABC or NFL Network.