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If you have ever watched an NFL game and wondered, “Do NFL players wear underwear?” you are not alone. It is a surprisingly common question, and the answer is yes—players do wear underwear, but it is not the same kind you likely wear every day. Instead of cotton boxers or briefs, professional football players use performance base layers designed for support, comfort, and hygiene under intense physical demands. This article explains what NFL players actually wear under their uniforms, why it matters, how it varies by position and weather, and what beginners should know if they want to gear up like the pros.
The Short Answer
Most NFL players wear compression shorts or a padded “girdle” as their underwear. These pieces act as a base layer, providing muscle support, reducing chafing, and managing sweat. Some players also wear long compression tights, especially in cold weather or to protect against turf burns. Traditional cotton underwear is almost never used because it traps moisture and can cause discomfort during high-intensity play.
What about protective cups? In youth football, cups are common, but in the NFL many players choose not to wear them due to comfort and mobility concerns. We will break that down later. For now, remember: underwear in football is about performance first, not fashion.
What Counts as “Underwear” in Football?
Compression Shorts
Compression shorts are the most common base layer in football. They are snug, stretchy shorts made of moisture-wicking fabric (typically polyester and spandex) that sit close to the skin. Their main jobs are to keep muscles warm, reduce muscle vibration, prevent chafing, and move sweat away from the body. Most players choose mid-thigh to just-above-the-knee lengths to avoid ride-up under pads.
Modern compression shorts often include a supportive pouch or integrated support to hold everything in place, replacing traditional jockstraps for many athletes. They may also have flat-lock seams to reduce irritation and a wide waistband that stays put during sprints and contact.
Padded Girdles
A padded girdle looks like a thicker pair of compression shorts with built-in pockets for hip, tailbone, and sometimes thigh pads. Many NFL players use girdles during games because they keep pads in the correct position without shifting. For some athletes, the girdle essentially becomes their “underwear,” and they do not wear anything else underneath. Others prefer a thin compression short under the girdle for extra comfort or hygiene.
Girdles come in 5-pad and 7-pad designs, depending on how much protection a player wants or needs. Linemen and linebackers often prefer more padding; receivers and defensive backs might go lighter for speed and freedom of movement.
Jockstraps and Supporters
Classic jockstraps are less common in the NFL today. Many players replaced them with compression shorts that offer similar support without straps that can dig or move. That said, some athletes still prefer a traditional supporter, especially if they are used to that feel or want to wear a separate cup.
Long Tights and Base Layers
Long compression tights (full-length or 3/4 length) are popular in colder weather and to protect against turf burns. They can also help with slight muscle support and reduce skin abrasions when sliding or being tackled. Players must follow uniform rules about visible tights (such as color and logos), but functionally, these garments serve as underwear too, just with more coverage.
Why Players Wear Specialized Underwear: Function Over Fashion
Moisture Management
Football is a sweat-heavy sport. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet, leading to chafing, odors, and a clammy feel. Performance underwear wicks sweat away and dries quickly, helping players stay comfortable through long drives and high-pressure plays.
Support and Stability
Compression provides gentle support to muscles and soft tissue, reducing unwanted movement and bounce. This is especially important around the groin and hips, where stability contributes to cutting, accelerating, and absorbing contact safely.
Chafe Prevention
Friction is a real issue under pads. Flat seams, smooth fabrics, and a snug fit help reduce rubbing between the thighs and around the waistband. Many players also use anti-chafe balms in addition to compression layers for extra protection on long, hot days.
Hygiene and Health
Clean, sweat-managing base layers reduce the risk of skin irritation and infections. NFL teams take laundry and hygiene seriously—fresh gear each session, fast drying, and proper washing to help prevent issues like bacterial or fungal infections common in contact sports environments.
Uniform Neatness and Modesty
Underwear helps keep everything in place and prevents accidental exposure when jerseys ride up or pants shift. It also helps the uniform look smooth and professional by minimizing bunching and awkward lines under pads.
Do NFL Players Wear Cups?
This is one of the most common questions. The short answer: many NFL players do not wear hard protective cups. Why? Cups can feel bulky, restrict hip movement, or pinch during awkward positions. In a sport where milliseconds matter, some players prioritize mobility and comfort.
That said, it is not universal. Certain positions, body types, and personal comfort levels lead some players to choose cups or soft-shell groin protectors. Youth and high school athletes are more likely to wear cups, both because of coaching standards and because proper technique and awareness are still developing.
Who is more likely to wear a cup? Linemen and fullbacks sometimes choose them due to close-quarters contact. Kickers and punters rarely do. Receivers and defensive backs often skip them for speed. Quarterbacks vary; some prefer a low-profile protector, while others go without.
From Skin to Shell: A Simple Layering Walkthrough
Here is how a typical player might suit up from the skin outward. Not everyone follows this exact order, but it gives you a clear picture.
1) Base underwear: compression shorts or a padded girdle. Some athletes wear compression shorts under the girdle; others use the girdle alone as underwear.
2) Optional cup or groin protector: either inside a pouch in the compression shorts or in a supporter.
3) Long tights or thermal base (as needed): in cold weather, players might add a base-layer bottom that extends to the ankles or calves. It must comply with uniform rules if visible.
4) Socks and knee sleeves: socks must match team guidelines. Some players use grippy socks or split socks (thin liner plus game sock) for blister prevention.
5) Football pants and pads: thigh, knee, and sometimes extra hip pads. Many pants now have integrated pad systems. The girdle helps keep hip and tailbone pads secure.
6) Upper-body base layer: a compression shirt, sometimes with padding around ribs or shoulders, goes under the jersey.
7) Shoulder pads, jersey, and accessories: gloves, arm sleeves, elbow pads, and other extras top it all off.
Position-by-Position Habits
Linemen (OL/DL)
Linemen experience constant contact, so they often prefer padded girdles and sturdy compression gear. Some might add soft groin protection or a low-profile cup. Fit matters: they avoid seams that dig in when squatting and blocking. Thicker fabrics and longer inseams help prevent ride-up in the trenches.
Running Backs, Tight Ends, and Linebackers
These hybrid power-speed positions need protection but cannot sacrifice mobility. Many wear 5- or 7-pad girdles with snug compression shorts and a supportive pouch. Some skip a hard cup to keep stride length and hip rotation fluid, relying on technique and awareness to avoid awkward impacts.
Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs
Speed and agility rule here. Lightweight compression shorts are common, often without extra padding beyond required thigh and knee pads. Many use long tights to reduce turf burns during dives and sliding plays. Cups are uncommon for these positions.
Quarterbacks, Punters, and Kickers
Quarterbacks vary widely—some prefer a slim groin protector, others go without. Punters and kickers prioritize a free swing path, so they tend toward minimal base layers and smooth, non-bunching compression shorts. Any seam that pulls across the hip flexor is a no-go.
Weather and Game Conditions
Heat and Humidity
In hot games, light, breathable compression shorts are crucial. Players avoid thick, multi-layered setups that trap heat. Moisture-wicking fabrics and anti-chafe balms help prevent rashes. Some may use mesh zones or perforated panels in the base layer for extra airflow.
Cold Weather
In freezing temperatures, the goal is to stay warm without getting sweaty and then chilled. Players may add thermal tights under pants. These are still considered “underwear” in function. The fabric traps warmth while still moving moisture away. Heated benches and sideline jackets keep legs and hips from tightening up between drives.
Rain and Snow
Wet conditions raise the risk of chafing. Players rely on smooth, hydrophobic fabrics and tight fits to keep layers from rubbing. Some swap to slightly longer compression shorts to prevent water-heavy fabric from rolling or bunching under pads.
Uniform Rules and What Can Show
The NFL has strict uniform policies. Any base layer that is visible—like long tights below the pants—must follow team color rules and cannot display unauthorized logos. Players can be fined for visible gear that does not match guidelines. This includes colors, patterns, and brand marks that are not approved.
Tights and socks often need to be a solid, team-approved color. If a player’s compression tights extend below the knees, they usually must align with sock color and style rules. Uniform inspectors check this before and during games. The idea is not to limit underwear, but to keep the on-field look consistent and professional.
Comfort, Fit, and Choosing the Right Pair
Fabric and Stretch
Look for blends with a good balance of stretch and recovery, such as polyester with 10–20% spandex. This gives a snug, supportive feel without cutting off circulation. Breathable panels help in hot spots like the groin and inner thigh.
Seams and Length
Flat-lock seams reduce friction. A 6–9 inch inseam is common for preventing ride-up under pads. Grippy but gentle leg hems keep the short in place without squeezing. If seams rub during a deep squat or sprint, try a different cut or longer length.
Waistband and Rise
The waistband should be wide, soft, and secure. Too loose, and the shorts migrate; too tight, and they dig into the stomach when bending or bracing for contact. A mid-rise design typically works best under football pants.
Fit Checklist
When you try on performance underwear, run this quick test: jog in place, do a few squats, mimic a cut or lunge, and lift your knees high. If nothing rides up, pinches, or twists, you are close. Remember, practice movement reveals fit problems that standing still cannot.
Hygiene, Health, and Laundry
Clean Gear is Performance Gear
Even the best underwear cannot help if it is dirty. Sweat-soaked layers can cause rashes and create a breeding ground for bacteria. In the NFL, equipment staff washes and dries base layers after every use. Players typically rotate several pairs through a week to ensure everything is fresh for each session.
Home Care Tips
If you are playing at a recreational or school level, wash compression gear in cold water, avoid fabric softeners (they reduce wicking performance), and tumble dry low or air dry to protect the elastic. Separate heavily sweaty gear so it does not sit damp for long periods. Do not share personal base layers with teammates.
Preventing Chafing and Irritation
Combine good underwear with anti-chafe balm on high-friction areas. Keep skin dry, change out of wet clothes quickly, and consider swapping to a fresh base layer if you have a long day of practice and meetings. If irritation starts, rest the area, keep it clean, and switch to softer seams until it heals.
Common Myths and Locker-Room Truths
“Do players wear boxers?”
No. Loose boxers are not practical. They bunch up, hold sweat, and cause chafing. Compression shorts or girdles are the norm.
“Everyone wears a jockstrap, right?”
Not anymore. While still used by some, most players use compression shorts with integrated support. The classic jockstrap is less common in modern football.
“Going without underwear is impossible.”
Some players do go “commando” under a padded girdle, using the girdle itself as underwear. It is a personal choice. Many still prefer a thin compression short under the girdle for comfort.
“Cups are mandatory in the NFL.”
They are not. Youth leagues often push cups for safety, but many NFL players skip hard cups for mobility. It depends on position, comfort, and individual preference.
Beyond Game Day: Practice, Recovery, and Travel
Practice Routines
Practice days usually mean more sweat over longer periods, so players rotate multiple pairs of compression shorts or tights. Some wear slightly lighter versions in practice for more breathability, saving thicker or padded options for gameday.
Recovery Compression
After games, athletes often use recovery tights or compression sleeves to aid circulation and reduce soreness. These are not the same as in-game underwear, but they are part of the broader base-layer strategy.
Travel and Superstitions
Some players stick to superstitions—same style, same color, or a lucky pair saved for big games. Others pack backups of everything on the road. Regardless of rituals, comfort and cleanliness rule the day.
Youth, High School, and College: What Changes?
Younger players are generally encouraged—or required—to use groin protection. They are still learning techniques and are more likely to end up in awkward positions where a cup helps. Compression shorts remain the best choice for base layers, and a padded girdle can simplify protection by holding pads securely.
Parents and coaches should look for durable, easy-to-wash gear that fits snugly but not painfully. One or two pairs of quality compression shorts are better than a drawer full of cheap, itchy options. In college ball, the setup looks more like the NFL: compression shorts, girdles, and tights in team colors, with uniform inspectors keeping an eye on visible layers.
Football vs. Other Sports: How Underwear Differs
Baseball players are much more likely to wear cups because of the risk from fast, direct impacts from a ball. Hockey uses robust protective gear, including pelvic protection, due to puck speed and collisions. Soccer players usually wear minimal compression shorts for chafing prevention, with no cups. Football sits in the middle—there is contact, but players balance protection and movement, so many choose compression without a hard cup.
Practical Buying Tips for Beginners
Start with One Great Pair
Buy one high-quality pair of compression shorts before investing in several. Test it during a full practice. If it stays put, feels dry, and does not chafe, buy two to three more so you can rotate them through the week.
Check the Return Policy
Different body types need different cuts. Look for brands or stores with good return policies so you can find the best fit without getting stuck with uncomfortable gear.
Match Your Layering to Your Role
If you are in the trenches, consider a padded girdle with secure hip and tailbone pads. If you are a speed player, try lightweight compression and 3/4 tights for abrasion protection without extra bulk.
Safety Notes Without the Scare
Compression gear is helpful, but it is not a magic shield. Good technique, proper pads, and smart play matter more than any base layer. If you have previous groin or hip issues, try different support levels and talk to a trainer about what works for your movement pattern.
Quick FAQ
Do NFL players wear underwear at all?
Yes. Most wear compression shorts or a padded girdle as underwear. Traditional cotton underwear is rare because it traps sweat and causes chafing.
Are cups required in the NFL?
No. Some players wear them, but many do not due to comfort and mobility concerns. Youth leagues are more likely to require them.
What is a girdle in football?
A girdle is like a pair of compression shorts with pockets for pads (hips, tailbone, and sometimes thighs). It helps keep pads secure and can replace traditional underwear.
Do players wear long tights?
Yes, especially in cold weather or to prevent turf burns. Tights must comply with uniform color and logo rules if visible.
Why not wear boxers?
Boxers bunch up, hold sweat, and cause chafing. Compression shorts or supportive base layers are much better for performance and comfort.
Do quarterbacks wear special underwear?
Not usually. They use the same types—compression shorts or girdles—though preferences for extra rib or groin protection vary by player.
How many pairs do players use per week?
Multiple pairs. Professionals rotate clean compression shorts or girdles for every practice and game to maintain hygiene and comfort.
Can underwear be visible?
If base layers extend below the pants, they must follow team color rules and cannot show unauthorized logos. Players can be fined for violations.
A Simple Checklist: Gear Like a Pro
For Your First Setup
– 2–3 pairs of compression shorts with flat seams and a 6–9 inch inseam
– 1 padded girdle if you want integrated pads and a stable feel
– Optional cup or soft groin protector, especially for younger players
– Long compression tights for cold-weather games or turf-heavy fields
– Anti-chafe balm and grippy socks for comfort and stability
Fit and Care Essentials
– Snug but not restrictive in the waist, hips, and thighs
– No seam rubbing during squats or sprints
– Cold wash, no fabric softener, low heat dry or air dry
– Rotate pairs so every session starts fresh
Real-World Comfort Tips from the Field
Prevent Ride-Up
Choose a longer inseam and a fabric with good recovery (it snaps back to shape). Some shorts have silicone grippers at the leg opening to keep them anchored without pinching.
Mind the Pouch
Too tight and it is uncomfortable; too loose and support is gone. If you feel pressure points when lunging or cutting, try a different pouch shape or a supporter with separate cup placement.
Test Under Real Movement
Stand, squat, sprint, and do side-to-side cuts in your gear before a full practice. Five minutes of testing now saves you from 60 minutes of adjustment and discomfort later.
Where Comfort Meets Confidence
There is a mental side to underwear. When players do not have to think about chafing, slipping, or sweat, they focus better on schemes and execution. Confidence in your base layer frees your mind for the game. That is why pros are picky, and why you should be too, even if you only play on weekends.
Conclusion
So, do NFL players wear underwear? Absolutely—but it is not the everyday cotton kind. Most rely on compression shorts or padded girdles, sometimes with long tights in cold weather. Some choose cups, many do not. The goal is always the same: comfort, support, hygiene, and performance under pressure.
If you are gearing up yourself, start with a quality pair of compression shorts, consider a girdle for pad stability, and match your setup to your position and climate. Keep it clean, pay attention to fit, and test your gear under real movement. When your base layer disappears from your awareness, you are ready to play your best—just like the pros.