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 ...

Knee, thigh pads mandatory in '13 ESPN.com news services Jul 11, 2013, 11:07 AM ET ...

Browns New NFL rule will require thigh and knee pads, and some Cleveland Browns are among the players who don't like it Updated: Jun. 14, 2013, 5:00 p.m. | Published: Jun. 14, 2013, 4:00 p.m.

Players who don't wear knee and thigh pads will be removed from games this season as a result of a rule enacted last year, league executive Merton Hanks told multiple media outlets, providing a ...