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Glam Monitor

Do pro football players wear a cup?

Author

Daniel Foster

Updated on May 24, 2026

The common question among football players is whether or not they wear cups. Football is an impact sport with helmets, shoulder pads, hands, and feet flying all around the field. Football players don't wear cups. The cup can interfere with running strides, and many players believe it slows them down.

Do football players need a cup?

Football players generally don't wear cups either, and haven't for some time, according to a 2005 Slate article by Daniel Akst. As Akst explained, the NFL's cup aversion has to do with “speed and performance.” The best reason to wear an athletic supporter is so you can wear a protective cup.

What do football players wear to protect their balls?

Football pads:

Football pads consist of padded hard plastics. They help to protect players as they hit one another during a game.

Do male athletes wear cups?

Protective cups should be the norm for hard-hitting sports with speedy objects, such as hockey pucks. Cups are also necessary in hockey, football, baseball, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, mixed martial arts and other contact sports.

What do football players do if they have to pee during a game?

The Water Cup

A water cup or Gatorade cup has been one of the go-to ways to pee during an NFL game for years. This method is usually paired up with a teammate or staff member shielding your body from the fans and cameras. This way you have some semblance of privacy while you go to the washroom.

27 related questions found

Do football players pee themselves?

Well, you may be shocked, or grossed out, to learn that sometimes they just go on themselves right in plain sight. According to former Miami Dolphins star Channing Crowder, he did just that in every single NFL game he played in.

Why do football players wear towels in their pants?

Keep Hands Dry

One reason why NFL players, College, and High School players wear towels is to keep their hands dry when playing. Playing a football game in the rain and snow will create additional moisture, making holding on to the ball difficult.

Do UFC fighters wear cups?

Today, fighters utilize multiple types of cups based on preference. The jock-style straps are popular, as are those built into compression-like jammers, which hold the cup in a secure pouch. Both styles are covered by the boardshorts-like trunks UFC fighters must also wear in competition.

At what age should a boy wear a cup?

But once a boy hits age seven, or engages in more vigorous competition, he should wear one. “There are two types -- one providing support for comfort, and one adding a cup for more protection.

Do NFL players wear hip pads?

Hip, thigh, and knee pads are all required in youth league, high school and college level football. In the NFL only thigh and knee pads are mandated, while hip pads are recommended but seldom worn. Younger players with developing bodies need added protection to avoid injuries.

What do pro football players wear under their pants?

What Do Pro Football Players Wear Under Their Pants? If you are a professional football player, you will wear compression shorts, boxers, or briefs. You will look for support and comfort.

What do professional footballers wear under their shorts?

“Footballers usually wear slips – or underpants – and maybe skins – skin-tight long shorts – to keep their hamstrings and groin muscles warm but Danny had nothing on.

Do NFL players wear new cleats every game?

If it rains in the middle of a game, Miles and staff have a big job. If the team is playing on grass, they have to replace all of the cleats on 53 pairs of shoes down on the field.

Is wearing a cup uncomfortable?

Well, your cup shouldn't cause any pain or discomfort during wear. The most common cause of menstrual cup pain during wear is that the cup is too firm. This means that the cup is exerting an outward force that is felt by other organs and parts of your body.

Do pro football players wear knee pads?

players are required to wear hip, thigh and knee pads, but in the N.F.L. rule book hip pads are merely “recommended.”)

Why do quarterbacks put black under eyes?

Eye black is a grease or strip applied under the eyes to reduce glare, although studies have not conclusively proven its effectiveness. It is often used by American football, baseball, softball, and lacrosse players to mitigate the effects of bright sunlight or stadium floodlights.

Do athletes still wear cups?

While NFL players are not required to wear cups, female players may opt to do so. These devices are similar to male cups and protect the private parts of the male body. While male football players often choose to wear male-style cups, female cups may be more comfortable and provide more protection than male ones.

Do Little League players wear cups?

Boys should wear an athletic supporter or compression shorts under their sweatpants and baseball pants. If your son is a catcher, it is mandatory he wear a protection cup. Giving your Little Leaguers time to practice with the gear they'll be using in their games will get them comfortable and ready to play.

How do I know my athletic cup size?

Size is determined by age and body mass. Boys aged five and up, reaching 4 feet 6 inches and 80 pounds should wear a cup 1 3/4 inches in depth. Youths age 11 and up, reaching 5 feet 6 inches and 110 pounds should wear a cup 2 inches in depth.

Do Muay Thai fighters wear cups?

Thai Steel Cup

The OG groin protector in the world of Muay Thai. For the Thai fighters, steel cups are worn during fights but not so much for sparring. The steel cup is secured with three laces for extra safety.

Do pro boxers wear cups?

If you've ever wondered “Do fighters wear cups?” with regards to female fighters, the answer is yes. But why do fighters wear cups? Sports cups available for women help prevent abdominal pain, bleeding, bruising, and other pain that can occur in both men and women after a groin strike.

Why do they cut boxers eyes?

The cutman presses the enswell against a fighter's skin to cool and reduce swelling from injuries, especially in areas around the eyes where swelling can impair vision.

Can NFL players go to the bathroom during a game?

But there are no rules against bathroom breaks in Roger Goodell's NFL. And so it is that players celebrating too much after a touchdown can often expect a hefty fine, while coaches and players are free to do the pee-pee dance on the AstroTurf.

Why do pro football players have tails?

The attachment also prevents them from getting lost during play. As you can see, football towels are an important item for players to have during the game. They remove moisture from a player's hands and improve the grip on the ball.

Why do football players drink pickle juice?

NFL stars like Tyreek Hill swear by drinking pickle juice to stop them cramping up in big games, but an expert says its just a fad with little scientific backing. Chiefs receiver Hill went viral in December after he was seen drinking pickle juice on the sidelines during his team's win over the Saints.