The University of Michigan’s famed winged football helmet design dates back to 1938 when Coach Herbert O. “Fritz” Crisler arrived from Princeton University. Crisler had figured the helmet would help his halfbacks find receivers downfield. During the first game where U-M players donned the winged helmet, the Wolverines defeated the Spartans 14-0. Crisler had introduced a similar helmet during his time at Princeton, and his 1938 innovation at U-M was to paint the helmet maize and blue. Over the years, other U-M sports teams have adopted the winning wings in their headgear.
— Compiled from the U-M Bicentennial website, and the Bentley Historical Library
