The new facemask Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockettunveiled this week is, well, terrifying. It looks like something the Predator would wear if it took a break from eviscerating folks to play a little football.
Manufactured by Bad-Ass Masks, the facemask is known as the "Freight Train." And perhaps that sense of invincibility makes Dockett want to run through a wall -- or perhaps some unsuspecting ball carriers. (Either that, or he's just insane.)
1 reason I love this game is bc I can inflict physical, bodily harm to another individual in an environment which it is morally acceptable????
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) June 14, 2013
And Dockett can do all this from the comfort and safety of his "Freight Train," which features six horizontal bars, one vertical bar and 18 diagonal bars, creating an impenetrable barrier between the outside world and his face.
The obvious question: Can he see out of that thing?
Dockett says he can, telling the Cardinals website: “I mean, I ain’t got that much to see. I’m not a running back or receiver. I just have to see straight ahead.”
As Yahoo.com's Brian McIntyre points out, it's similar to the Schutt design worn by Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who first used it to keep offensive linemen from grabbing his facemask.
"Everybody is like, 'Can I get that facemask?' No, it’s exclusive to me, no one else can have it," Tuck said last year. "But it’s a copycat league in everything people do so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few of those floating around before we play."
Dockett, who had a hand in designing the "Freight Train," said he isn't sure if he'll sport the new facemask this season. Either way, he'll still get to inflict pain on others in a morally acceptable manner.