Wardrobe changes usually don't meet with much attention from fans or media in the NFL. Unless a player puts on something for some sort of charity move or protest. Think Jim McMahon with his "Rozelle" headband in 1985 or Earl Bennett with his orange cleats in 2011. So when Mitch Trubisky made a subtle change to his game wear in Week 4 against Tampa Bay last year, a half sleeve on his right arm, most people didn't think much of it.
Then Trubisky went out and threw six touchdown passes. The first to do so since Johnny Lujack in 1949. Nobody saw it coming and it was the first true sign that Trubisky had begun to progress as a professional NFL passer. That was when people really took notice of the sleeve. The quarterback revealed he'd worn it because he'd suffered a scratch on his arm the previous week. It was meant to cover the injury up rather than a bandage.
After that game though, people started to think maybe he should just wear it permanently. Trubisky, as superstitious as anybody, agreed and decided to wear it moving forward. Now many will say the impact of the sleeve was minimal. It had little actual effect on Trubisky's play. If they were to look at the numbers though, they may have to rethink that. Here's the breakdown.
Trubisky before the sleeve:
- 15 games
- 2,784 yards
- 61.75 completion percentage
- 9 touchdowns
- 10 interceptions
- 77.6 passer rating
Trubisky after the sleeve:
- 12 games
- 2,933 yards
- 65.14 completion percentage
- 23 touchdowns
- 9 interceptions
- 99.66 passer rating
Since then the legend of the sleeve has only grown.
The sleeve may do a little more for Mitch Trubisky than just luck
Here's the thing about the sleeve. It's not just some sort of good luck charm Trubisky started wearing in hopes of changing his fortunes. There are reasons to think they had a tangible effect on his play. They were designed and created for a reason. Zensah.com explained some of the medical benefits of wearing one when playing.
"The sleeve operates by putting gentle pressure on the outer skin surface. This has the effect of subtly increasing blood pressure in the arms, which helps increase the flow of blood throughout the body. When heart rate increases, blood supply over time also increases, helping the athlete improve their oxygen supply and energy level."
That may not be all either. Custom Sports Sleeves, an outlet that designs and sells ones like Trubisky wears, added one additional benefit that never gets enough credit.
"Let's face it, arm sleeves look slick and can compliment team colors or be used to send a message. There is some truth to the statement "look good, feel good, play good." Some athletes just like the look of arm sleeves."
This may sound ridiculous. If so, then you better tell that to the greatest of all time himself, Jerry Rice. He lived by that exact philosophy throughout his entire NFL career. Whenever he felt he looked good, he'd play good.
So maybe there's a little more to Trubisky and the sleeve than people realize. If nothing else, it's a fun story in what is shaping up to be a good career.
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