by M. Sparga

Created on: April 05, 2007   Last Updated: January 02, 2009

Literal sun block. Intimidation. War paint. The black lines that some athletes paint under their eyes just before a game aren't merely for the sake of the look, although that certainly is part of it. This "eye black" actually serves a three-fold purpose, which is why so many athletes take advantage of it. The paint can help bestow upon them physical, emotional, and psychological advantages.

The main, technical purpose of course is to help prevent glare from the sun. American football players, for example, have limited visibility on the field to begin with because of their helmets, so any way that they can help themselves see better will give them an advantage. After all, the better you can see the ball, the more likely you will be able to handle it well. In an outdoor game like football, you don't want to be at the mercy of the sun when you're trying to catch and handle a ball that's already small and awkwardly shaped.

The other purposes of eye black are somewhat related and a little less tangible. First, the look of eye black might help to intimidate an opponent. Strategy is key in the world of sports, and psyching out the opponent can sometimes sway the pace and even the outcome of a game. Eye black may be a small detail among many factors of a game, but every little bit helps. The dark streaks of eye black bring the focus up to the eyes, where an athlete can express their intensity and even rage to an opponent when the rest of their face is obstructed. A mouth guard and helmet may serve their purpose of protection, but unlike eye black, they don't exactly help an athlete to emote.

Second, the act of applying the eye black becomes part of an athlete's mental preparation for the competition. We've all heard about the many superstitions and routines that athletes and coaches adhere to before a game, and eye black fits right in with that. Eye black becomes a bit like war paint, a literal way of getting one's game face on. In the same way it can help to intimidate an opponent, it can also help to pump up the wearer. It can be the finishing touch to a routine that helps them "get in the game."

Since eye black is something used almost exclusively in sports, it serves as a reminder for the participants. It helps them to get psyched up for the game and to remain in it mentally. The physical advantage - the way it helps to negate glare - goes hand in hand with these mental advantages. Eye black brings a literal, visible meaning to the term "game face."

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