Amaar Burton
The 2021 NFL Draft is right around the corner, kicking off in Cleveland on April 29 and concluding May 1.
During those three days, more than 250 athletes will officially become professional football players. But before each incoming rookie puts on the helmet of their new pro team, they will put on the team’s official draft cap from New Era’s NFL Draft Collection.
Every Football Player Wants An NFL Draft Cap
The cap is as much a part of the pomp-and-circumstance of the draft as anything else, in all of the major American pro sports. Young athletes who strive to go pro — whether it’s in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB or NHL — grow up dreaming of hearing their name called at the draft, putting on the cap of their new team, going up on stage to meet their new boss, and celebrating with their loved ones. The draft cap is sports’ answer to the graduation cap and gown.
Here’s the thing, though: A lot of people are not feeling these 2021 NFL Draft caps.
“Looks like the sign for gas stations off the interstate lol” (@deasus_piece)
“🗑 🤢🤮” (@rtrujillo83)
“These are really bad. $40+ for a glorified trucker hat? No thank you” (@kisslovegun77)
“Straight 💩” (@holt_ryan)
“These logos look like they belong to a Brewery that sells gourmet chicken tenders.” (@cris.topher)
The Negative Feedback
As a cap collector myself, the trucker-hat mesh is an automatic no-go for me. Of the dozens of hats I own, not one has that trucker aesthetic. No disrespect to my Grandpa Jackson, but it’s just not for me.
Usually you can’t go wrong with black, but in this case, it’s a bit much for every team’s hat to be primarily black. I would’ve liked to see more color involved.
And then there’s that big cowboy belt buckle containing each team’s name and logo that doesn’t even look good on the Dallas Cowboys draft cap.
The Positive Feedback
Of course, not everybody hates the hats. New Era has received their share of praise for its new NFL product.
“These joints go hard too” (@gymboundjesse)
“😍😍❤️🙌👏👏🔥” (@kako_r0jas)
“Why is everyone hating on these, I think they look good” (@alexk5705)
“Wow looks great going to get my DB hat can’t wait” (@badboydizzer)
“Calm Down people!! Support your Team’s!!🤣Nice Hat! Classic style” (@solid1.559)
Things Could Change On Draft Day
Opinions could change — for better or worse — when the NFL Draft gets underway and we see the players wearing the caps. The right outfit on the right person can make a hat look better than it would look by itself. (That works the other way, too.)
For now, though, as much as New Era has hit a home run with its MLB collections this baseball season, they might have fumbled the football for this draft.
