Jerseys Having Releasable Seams

Abstract

American football jerseys designed to enhance a player's safety are disclosed herein. Preferred jerseys are designed to prevent injuries caused from “horse-collar” tackles and have one or more releasable seams that begin in the collar.

1 . An American football jersey having a top, bottom, frontside, and backside and comprising:
 a main body of tear-resistant fabric configured to be worn around the torso of a player;   a collar area positioned on the top of the main body of fabric;   and a first seam having means for releasably sealing itself that begins in the collar area and traverses down the main body of fabric.   
   
   
       2 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the first seam does not traverse the entire length of the main body of fabric. 
   
   
       3 . The jersey of  claim 2 , wherein the first seam is shorter than the mid-length point on the main body of fabric. 
   
   
       4 . The jersey of  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably sealing the first seam comprise hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       5 . The jersey of  claim 1 , further comprising a second seam having means for releasably sealing itself and that begins in the collar area and traverses down the main body of fabric. 
   
   
       6 . The jersey of  claim 5 , wherein the means for releasably sealing the first and second seams comprise hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       7 . The jersey of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second seams are positioned on the backside of the jersey. 
   
   
       8 . The jersey of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second seams are positioned on the frontside of the jersey. 
   
   
       9 . The jersey of  claim 8 , wherein the backside of the jersey comprises a third seam having means for releasably sealing itself, that begins in the collar area and traverses down the main body of fabric. 
   
   
       10 . The jersey of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second seams diverge away from each other as they traverse down the main body of fabric. 
   
   
       11 . The jersey of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second seams traverse the same distance down the main body of fabric.