Lifted from the MVictors Michigan Football Uniform Timeline, see below for a complete catalog of the publicly known or observed stickers on Michigan football helmets. This tradition was introduced in 2021 and intended, “to tell the story of a player’s entire career.” The stickers measure precisely 1 inch x 1.5 inches and are produced in-house by the Michigan Football graphics specialist. [Header photo via Maize & Blue Nation]
General Team Achievements and Acknowledgements:
A leftward-facing snarling wolverine, along with the incremental Michigan football program all-time win total associated with the victory. This is the most common variation of the stickers featured on helmets used for non-rivalry, non-bowl/title game victories.
‘RAMPAGE 2023’ in honor of the team winning 8 straight games, a feat Jim Harbaugh describes as a “Rampage.” Note: members of the 2022 team also receive this sticker (retroactively) for achieving 8-straight wins during that season.
M Title IX 50 Years – honoring the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX legislation.
EQUALITY features 6 multi-colored hands/fists, replacing the 2021 (circular) version of the decal.
Bowl, Playoff and Championship games:
A sticker for players participating in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship, along with the incremental all-time program win total.
A sticker for players participating in the 2024 Rose Bowl, CFP Semi-Final, along with the incremental all-time program win total.
Depiction the football on the B1G Stagg Trophy for players participating in Big Ten Championship Game victories (2021-2023), including the incremental all-time program win total.
College Football Playoff logo with the acronym CFP (signifying Michigan’s 2021-2023 appearances).
Participants in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl/CFP semi-final.
Participants in the 2021 Orange Bowl/CFP Semi-final.
Participants in the 2020 Citrus Bowl.
Participants in the 2018 Outback Bowl
Rivalry/Trophy Game Stickers
A sticker that reads “THE GAME” for beating Ohio State, including the incremental all-time program win total associated with the victory.
A sticker for beating Minnesota and earning The Little Brown Jug Trophy including the incremental all-time program win total associated with the victory.
A sticker for beating Michigan State and earning The Paul Bunyan Trophy, including the incremental all-time program win total associated with the victory.
A sticker for beating Northwestern and earning The George Jewett Trophy/Northwestern (new in 2021)] including the incremental all-time program win total associated with the victory.
Individual Awards and Honors
A sticker with the letter ‘C’ for individual players elected as captains for a given season.
A sticker reading ‘MVP’ awarded to players voted team Most Valuable Player at the annual Michigan Awards ceremony (also retroactively) worn by Blake Corum (2022 MVP) and J.J. McCarthy (2023)
A sticker depicting a Michigan varsity letterman’s jacket, this is presumed to signify a player earning their varsity letter for a season.
A sticker with a block M with the word “ATTACK” – Specific rules for qualification are unknown.
A sticker that reads “RECORD” in all caps, signifying the breaking of a Michigan program record [e.g., Aidan Hutchinson for the all-time U-M sack record.]
A sticker with the letter EUTM for individual players demonstrating, “an Enthusiasm Unknown To Mankind.” **Announced by Jim Harbaugh in August 2023. Multiple players earned this sticker including Blake Corum and Kris Jenkins.
A sticker that reads ‘GUARDIANS OF VICTORY’ on at least one player’s helmet, specific criteria to earn this award are unknown
A sticker featuring the three-digit telephone area code from the player’s hometown.
The letters ”TED” – which is an acronym for “There Every Day.” Awarded to players who participate in every spring and fall practice.
A depiction of a hard hat tied to a particular game (including the incremental all-time program win total associated with the victory) – Specific rules for qualification are unknown.
A sticker again featuring the sword and shovel intersecting a Michigan football helmet but also the incremental all-time program win total associated with the victory. This is presumed to be a team-related game individual or unit honor for a particular game.
Similar to the above, a sword and shovel intersecting a Michigan football helmet but are presumed to be an all-team season honor.
Conference and National Individual Honors
A depiction of the classic Michigan letterman sweater signifying the achievement of All-American honors for a particular player.
Members of the 2021 and 2022 offensive line units are awarded a decal in recognition of Michigan’s line winning the Joe Moore Award
Award-based sticker on the helmet of center Olusegun Oluwatimi for winning the Rimington Award.
Award-based sticker on the helmet of center Olusegun Oluwatimi for winning the Outland Trophy.
A sticker featuring a depiction of the Lou Groza Award on the helmet of kicker Jake Moody.
A sticker reading “All B1G” for players named to all-conference (Big Ten) teams.
The Big Ten Logo on a book, for players earning Academic all-conference distinction.
For the history of changes to the Michigan football uniform, select a timeframe below:
2020-Current > Click here | 2015-2019 > Click here | 2010-2014 > Click here | 2000-2009 > Click here | 1990-1999 > Click here | 1980-1989 > Click here | 1970-1979 > Click here | 1940-1969 > Click here | 1867-1939 > Click here
