DURHAM, N.C. - Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe announced on Tuesday that the Blue Devils will have two additional headgear alternatives for the 2012 season. Along with the traditional white helmets, Duke will have both black and blue lids in its wardrobe.
"I love the job we've done with our headgear," Cutcliffe said. "We'll have three different options with white, black and blue. Our equipment staff has done an outstanding job with this process. I know that our players are extremely excited about this opportunity and you can sense that when we go out and practice in them."
"I think they're great," said redshirt sophomore defensive end Dezmond Johnson. "I'm excited to put them on. I'm excited to get the season started so we can try them out and break them in, get some scuffs on them."
Cutcliffe also announced that all three helmets will have an "8" sticker on the back to recognize sophomore wide receiver Blair Holliday, who was critically injured in a July 4 watercraft accident and is currently rehabilitating at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga.
"They were thrilled and love it," said Cutcliffe of the Holliday family learning about the helmet tribute. "This has been a difficult thing, and I have said this before but it's also been a building of a lot of respect for a lot of people from my standpoint. Strengthening of relationships like it's supposed to in times of tragedy. You find out what people are all about in the face of this kind of adversity. And I can just say this: we are surrounded by great people."
The Blue Devils open the season at home on September 1 against FIU at 7 p.m., and season tickets are available online at www.GoDuke.com/tickets or by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 919-681-BLUE.