Black NFL Players Still Wear Their Hair in Locs Despite the Challenges

In the past, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry had his dreadlocks woven into a tightly knit fishtail braid that stretched just past his shoulder pads. Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey, whose hair reaches his cheeks, has often worn a balaclava, a mask that wraps a person’s entire head, leaving only an opening for the eyes.

Keeping dreads neat inside the helmet can prevent opportunities for hair-pulling tackles and also make the player more comfortable. But it can also pose a challenge to fitting those helmets to . . .