# Football Player Armbands
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 26, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771 "2009-08-26T15:33:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@calmondo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calmondo)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/1 "2009-08-26T15:33:32Z")
What’s the purpose of what appear to be elastic armbands worn by several NFL and college football players. They are usually placed in the area of the elbo or higher.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/2 "2009-08-26T15:46:45Z")
To prevent skin burns from the turf (mostly artificial turf) and ground. Some use them to grip the ball better when it is properly tucked into arm.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/3 "2009-08-26T15:53:13Z")
cite from manufacturer with pic and purpose:
[http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:3494/sku:484/McDavid%20Football%20Sleeve?supercat=home&cm=GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20PRODUCT%20NUMBER%20SEARCH](http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:3494/sku:484/McDavid%20Football%20Sleeve?supercat=home&cm=GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20PRODUCT%20NUMBER%20SEARCH)
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### Author:  [@calmondo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calmondo)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/4 "2009-08-26T16:24:57Z")
I need to clarify my question. I am referring to the small rubber band type device, about 1/2 inch in width.
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### Author:  [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/5 "2009-08-26T16:29:29Z")
> [@calmondo](#):
>
> I need to clarify my question. I am referring to the small rubber band type device, about 1/2 inch in width.
Don’t have an answer, [but I have a pic](http://www.exclusivesportsandpromotions.com/images/bryantmcfadden.jpg) of what I think you are describing.
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### Author:  [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/6 "2009-08-26T16:33:02Z")
Those supposedly keep the muscles in the area slightly tensed. I don’t remember why this is a good thing.
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### Author:  [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/7 "2009-08-26T16:33:45Z")
Every link I can find says they are [just for show](http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2008/09/armbands-and-bi.html).(and maybe to display a logo)
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [August 26, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-player-armbands/507771/8 "2009-08-26T16:41:14Z")
Those narrow ones are supposed to help prevent tendinopathy.
The are supposed to relieve some of the stress/load of the muscles and tendons near their attachment points. Supposed to reduce the likelihood of tearing, especially the triceps tendon when falling on the hands. Started with physical therapists giving these to the players to prevent lateral and medial epicondylitis and rupture injury.