what is the purpose of the black stuff that football and basesball players smear under their eyes?
If I remember correctly it is supposed to prevent the sunlight from reflecting off the sweat from that area of the body and into the player’s eyes.
“My mind reels with sarcastic replies!” - Snoopy
The black stuff used to be some of lampblack, then it progressed into some sort of cosmetic marker. I think now they are just plastic strips. If you get an extreme closeup of a player, you will see that there is writing on the black strips. They also happen to be the exact same size.
I agree with Trion
I used to play football, although it was in Scotland, so bright shining sunlight wasn’t exactly a huge problem. Made us look mean tho’
The stuff is called eyeblack. And yes, it does reduce glare from the sun, and stadium lights. It can be purchased in either the tape-like strips, or in “lipstick” form, that you apply under the eye.
Not a newbie…formerly ARG220
I imagine it has the same effect as the common piece of kit in my rugby team. Black gumshields look mean :).
Former Texas Rangers outfielder Billy Sample wrote a funny piece for Sports Illustrated upon his retirement. It was a list of things he would NOT miss about baseball.
One was “The moments when a fly ball is lost in the sun, and you realize the burnt cork on your face is really just for show!”