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Although at one time it may have been believed that it served an advantageous and necessary purpose to put "eye black" under one's eyes, in reality it is nothing more then a display of being cool and in particular, 'macho.'

Over time seeing football and baseball players at all levels take to the outdoor fields adorned with blackened eyes become part of the tradition of those sports, but seems to serve no useful purpose as far as protection against the glare of the sun is concerned. This is especially true since studies by a major college have shown it does absolutely no good at all when it comes to reducing glare. It makes you wonder who thought up the idea to start with.

In reality it can most likely be attributed to the 'warrior' instinct that has become prevalent in team sports. It reflects the same mentality as the American Indian and African tribes who would apply war paint to their bodies before going into battle. It gave them added courage and made for a closer bond with others in the group. If this is the case than It's not necessarily a bad thing if donning eye black increases team spirit and unity and gives one a feeling of enhanced power and ability regardless if it is perceived or real.

For pro athletes, their sport is a battle to be won at all costs, and they will do anything that might possibly make them feel good about themselves and increase their chances of winning.

How many times have you seen major league baseball outfielders with sunglasses on top of their head? One would suspect they are for the glare of the afternoon sun, but often when the ball is hit to them, those same outfielders will squint at the sun as they attempt the catch. What is that all about? Why wear the glasses on your head at all if you don't use them to catch the ball?

There is only one answer. They think they look cool and ultimately that is much the same reason pro athletes wear eye black during a game. I have noticed one thing however. Over the past decade or so, it seems that fewer and fewer players are wearing the fabled eye black and perhaps it is losing its macho appeal and has become more apparent to the players themselves that eye black holds no advantage for them and is something that the players "back then" did.

Learn more about this author, Ray Fauteux.
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