Detroit Lions Ray Brown game used helmet from the 2003 season.  The helmet was newin 1999 and it’s last season was 2003, the first year of their helmet change of the black outlined logos and striping as well as the change to the black colored facemask.  During this first season of the helmet change, the Lions continued to use the smaller square shaped warning label, the carry-over LIONS rear bumper decal that was worn with their previous helmets - prior to changing to the more scripted font of the rear decal, and the front bumper with no decal covering  the Riddell name with its dark red color.

Ray Brown played two seasons with Detroit, with his last season 2003, consistent with the last season that this helmet was used.  Brown a Pro Bowl guard, played 19 seasons in the NFL for four (4) different teams, after being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986.  He started all 16 games for Detroit in each of his two seasons with the team.

The XL sized VSR4 model helmet is all original and complete with the exception of the chinstrap.  The helmet has its original striping and logos on the sides, properly positioned and adhered well with no lifting.  Other decals include the team white on clear smaller sized warning label, the NFL shield, American Flag, and the previously mentioned Lions rear bumper decal covering the Riddell name.    The helmet has moderate to heavy wear with gouges, scrapes, and scuffs on the entire helmet along with the moderate wear on the helmet’s  inside.   Photos of Brown from earlier in  the season show a helmet with much more wear and deep gouges, while photos from December games (below) show Brown wearing a helmet with significantly less wear - consistent with this helmet. 

The facemask is a Schutt JOP-DW-XL model, in the correct black color.  Brown was the only active rostered player on the Lions that wore this model of mask during the 2003 season. The mask is secured to the helmet with the original conventional clips at the top mounts and stabilizer clips at the helmet sides.  The helmet retains it's original hardware.

Great original helmet, complete, that does not get much better!