Robert Mathis’, Justin Tuck’s Unconventional Face Masks Now Prohibited Under NFL Rules

ANDERSON, Ind. — The NFL won’t allow Colts defensive end Robert Mathis to use his face mask on game days.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an email to The Associated Press that the NFL determined it was a prohibited non-standard face mask.

At training camp, Mathis has been wearing a cagey-looking white face mask that covers up just about everything except his eyes. Several players around the league — including Arizona’s Darnell Dockett and the Giants’ Justin Tuck — have been using similar face masks, and those also will be disallowed. The only exception to wearing a customized face mask, McCarthy said, would be for a medical reason.

Mathis used his Twitter account to explain the decision.

[tweet https://twitter.com/RobertMathis98/status/365938297865908224 align=’center’]

Mathis is a five-time Pro Bowl player and is second on the Colts’ career sacks list with 91 1/2.

He wasn’t surprised by the decision.

On Thursday, he used Twitter to explain that he ”may not” win the battle with the league office and asked fans:

[tweet https://twitter.com/RobertMathis98/status/365591510533681153 align=’center’]

One fan even responded by urging Mathis to file an appeal.

Mathis hasn’t said what face mask he will use, but presumably it will fall within the bounds of league rules.