BYU Football Nicknames New Royal Blue Helmet ‘Lightning’

SALT LAKE CITY – The BYU football program unveiled a new royal blue helmet for the 2022 season and nicknamed the lid, “Blue Lightning.”

Cougar Nation, I apologize… the official paint color of this helmet is “Lightning⚡️ Blue.” Confirmed with our painter this morning. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/9fvK1bV0GH

— Billy Nixon (@BYUDFO) May 31, 2022

BYU Football’s equipment department showed off the updated royal helmet on social media earlier in May.

One of the helmets that the Cougars sported in 2021 was an all royal blue helmet. However, last season’s lid featured a matte look.

This season’s “Lightning” edition is a metallic royal blue with a shiny and chrome-like appearance.

Initially, there was some confusion that it was “Blue Lightening,” but it is in fact “lightning.”

Side-by-side of last year’s royal #BYU helmet compared to the 2022 royal lid.

Credit @byuequipment for the new pic. pic.twitter.com/l89DHXkx5P

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 9, 2022

2021 was the first year in which the Cougars sported a blue since the 1999-2004 seasons when the BYU wore navy blue helmets.

“It’s been exciting to see the reaction of the players as we introduced these new helmets that are part of their future but based on our proud past,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said of the Cougars’ new helmets in 2021. “BYU’s football tradition was built through many decades of success by those who wore the uniform representing the Cougars. Our players, former players, and Cougar Nation all value this great tradition of BYU football. We want the helmet and various uniform combinations to honor those who built the program and inspire those who will carry it forward.”

#BYU football has unveiled new helmets. What do you think? 👀 #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/PBK4JIUmSR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 1, 2021

In recent years, BYU football has had a renewed focus on its equipment staff, referring to it as the “Player Experience” staff as well.

The football program’s equipment team has utilized the feedback from players to be involved in the process when it comes to making changes to the helmets.

In 2020, BYU wore different uniform combinations in all but two games.

Those Cougars went 11-1 and finished with the program’s highest final ranking since 1996.

Last season, BYU had a 10-3 record.

#BYU’s Royal Rush threads are going to look great in Las Vegas.

The shade of Royal is the same color from the helmet BYU wore in the 1960s.#BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/y6Bc8yuFn9

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 4, 2021

“Whether it’s royal or navy, we own it because it’s BYU blue,” Sitake said in 2016.

BYU opens its 2022 schedule on the road against the USF Bulls on September 3.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.