Chris Canty To NFL: No Custom Mask, No Football

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Chris Canty (99) and nose tackle Terrence Cody (62) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Canty has a simple response to the NFL’s demand for annual medical exemptions for extravagant facemasks: no special mask, no football. Canty has worn his intimidating mask, which features vertical and horizontal bars along with a visor to protect his eyes, since his rookie season in 2005.

Canty told the Baltimore Sun that he simply can’t play football without the mask. “It’s simple for me, no eye shield and custom mask means I can’t play. Eye would be at risk. I invented it. It’s that simple. I can’t play without it. I can’t help it that other guys think it’s cool and they want to wear it, too. It’s a necessity for me.”

Canty was struck in the eye with a beer bottle prior to the NFL draft in 2005 and had to have emergency surgery to save his eyesight. He was one of four players who was granted an exception to wear a non-standard mask last season, but he says he wasn’t even aware of the policy.