Gearing up for football fever

With fall on the horizon, football fever is in season again. For us paunchy, middle-aged fans, that means endless hours in front of the television, yelling at the screen as our favorites fail to spot the open receiver or read an oncoming blitz. For the younger set, however, the thrill actually comes on the gridiron itself--or at least in the back yard or the local park. Who knows, an athletic scholarship--oh, if only--could be to years or so down the road. As such, the next Dick Butkus or Johnny Unitas--are we dating ourselves?--needs to get a good start with the right equipment from Adams USA, Cookeville, Tenn.:

* Playmaker Receivers Gloves ($29.99) are made of a one-piece knitted Lycra liner and are specially formulated to fit like a second skin. The seamless, compression design, along with the option of a Velcro strap or strapless closing, affords increased dexterity and offers a truer fit for a variety of hand sizes and shapes. Created with 360[degrees] coverage at the tips of the fingers for better feel and protection, the Playmaker gives players a stronger grip and better overall hand protection.

* Pro-Elite Helmet ($150), with a new anatomically correct shape, maximizes comfort by providing a custom air liner that is designed to inflate without lifting the helmet off the head. This revolutionary head-gear also has an energy-dispersing ridge that adds strength and stability. With a thinner shell and increased cushioning, the Pro-Elite is the lightest helmet available.

* Boss Shoulder Pads ($220) provide safety without compromising comfort or flexibility. It uses a new technology to help increase protection by employing energy absorbing EVA 20 foam and a high density polyethylene. Players have a wide range of motion due to the innovative narrow arch design. With its locking system, the epaulets are secured in place to keep the pads from collapsing upon impact and dispersing the energy across the back and chest.

For more on Adams USA products, go to www.adamsusa.com.

Ninety-one, seventy-six, forty-four ... hike!

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