Tai Streets. What an athlete. Drafted by the 49ers in 1999 in the sixth round out of the University of Michigan, Streets played behind Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens for his first two seasons. When Rice departed in 2001, Streets moved into the starting lineup. He finished with the Niners in 2003 before joining the Detroit Lions and wearing this helmet for his final NFL season in 2004. This is Streets 2004 helmet that he wore for the entire season with the Detroit Lions. All components of this helmet are original, worn by Streets, and consistent with Lions game helmets.
Schutt Pro AiR II model helmet, painted pro gloss silver, in a size Large. The helmet comes complete with a Schutt OPO facemask as preferred by Streets thoughout his entire NFL career due to its lightweight design and optimum visability. The mask is a bit unusual in that it is a refurbished, re-coated facemask - done by a small local Michigan company. The company is no longer in business, and the Lions were the last NFL team to use them. Cheap-ass Lions! The recertification sticker of the mask can be seen on the inside of the right side vertical bar on both our photo of the helmet, as well as on the photo of Streets wearing the helmet. Interesting to note that OPO masks from Schutt were roughly $11.00 from Schutt in 2003 and 2004. The Lions changed colors from blue masks to black in 2003. Then General Manager Matt Millen thought that rather than draft wisely, he could pick a receiver with his first pick each year, change the Lions colors to include black, sit back and make the playoffs. The mask is attached to the helmet with Schutt Clips on the top and stabilizer clips on the sides. Black phillips screws are used to secure the mask. The top clips are dated 2003. The chinstrap is an Adams Pro 100 low mount configuration. The straps have had the Adams names removed per NFL uniform guidelines. Adams metal buckles hold the chinstrap to the helmet in both low positions.
The decals of the helmet remain intact with very slight lifting on the right side decal. They are slightly scuffed, show light use, and have some dirt beneath the clear boarders. The center stripes are three individual stripes - as preferred by the Lions equipment staff on all of their helmets. The stripes are trimmed to length at the rear of the helmet, and have no hole cut-out at the air bladder valve. Decals on the rear of the helmet include: Authentic team "modern" warning label, NFL Shield, American Flag and 84 in individual die cut numerals. No rear bumper is applied by the Lions Equipment Staff to any of their Schutt helmets, likewise, a "LIONS" decal covers the Schutt name on the front nose bumper of the helmet. Inside the helmet is a #21 written in marker next to the right ear hole. A sign that the Lions issued Streets a helmet that may have been issued to rookie Artose Pinner in 2003 or most likely Lamont Warren in 2002 during his last year in the NFL. Warren had 6 carries the entire season, while Pinner continued his career with the Lions the following season. Also inside is a 2003 All American Reconditioning sticker.
The inside of the helmet is in good condition with light wear and slightly stained padding. The facemask is clean with very little in the sign of scuffs and scrapes. This helmet displays very well. Originally sourced from Tai Streets storage locker in which the contents were auctioned off for a severely past due balance.
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