The tint on visors

Question
Hello. im Broderick, My question is that for where i play in college is that we play all day games and it is sunny and THe UV rating is very powerful. Would a light tint on my visor be exceptable , because i know the officials and trainers need to look at at your eyes if hurt. But whatif u can clearly see my eyes. And another thing sir if we arent allow to where tinted visors then why do they sell them?

Answer
Broaderick,

The simply answer is light tinting is not permitted and I do not know why retailers continue to sell tinted eyeshields other than there is a large supply still on the market.

The eyeshield must be a molded rigid material that is 100% translucent without any color or tinting, no matter how light the tint.  If you need or want UV protection the National Trainers Athletic Association opines that you can safely achieve this protection by wearing dark glasses or contact lens.  These can be removed from an injured player without risk of moving the neck or head of an injured player.  The fact that you can still see one's eyes through a tinted eyeshield is not the test.  The test is whether there is any tinting at all.

AS for why tinted visors are still sold is nothing more than simple economics - Supply and Demand.  The manufactures produced ar glut of a supply while the rules permitted tinted eyeshields.  That Supply now is in store inventories.  Players still like them and buy them despite the visors not being permitted playing equipment.

The exact rule is as follows:
NCAA FOOTBALL RULE 1-4-5-s
Illegal Equipment:
ARTICLE 5. No player wearing illegal equipment shall be permitted to play. Any question as to the legality of a player抯 equipment shall be decided by the umpire. Illegal equipment includes the following:
...
s. Eye shields that are not clear or made from molded or rigid material. Note: No player wearing illegal equipment shall be permitted to play. If illegal equipment is discovered by an official, the team shall be charged a team timeout.  

Hope this answers your question,

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official