The NFL mandated thigh and knee pads from 1979 to 1994, when such protection was bulkier and might have consequently slowed players down. Even Hanks admits he didn't always wear thigh and knee ...

The days of NFL players opting not to wear thigh pads or knee pads may end with this year's Super Bowl, according to league and team sources. Skip to main content Skip to navigation Menu ...

But this is the main fact: If a player doesn’t wear thigh or knee pads, they cannot play in games. Period. That’s it. No thigh or knee pads, no play. Here’s how the new system will work.

But in 2013, the league made thigh and knee pads mandatory. As the 2015 season begins, the league is reminding players of that requirement. “NFL Football Operations issued a reminder to general ...