Minerals in Football: The Spark Behind the College Football Playoff

We are big college football fans in my house – me for my beloved Iowa State Cyclones and my partner for Michigan. I begrudgingly cheer for the Wolverines, but only out of love for him. So we are excited to tune int the College Football Playoff National Championship next week. But it got me thinking about how minerals play a starring role in the outcome —the iconic trophy lifted high by the winning team. What many don’t realize is that this stunning trophy is a masterpiece created with the help of minerals. From the gold, bronze, and iron, minerals make it all happen!

According to the College Football Playoff, the design features a focused football at the center of the base that rises to form an actual-size flattened football. The 50-pound trophy is made of 24-karat gold, bronze, and stainless steel, with the bulk of the trophy gold-colored and the football at the top a gray metallic color.

Beyond the trophy, minerals play an essential role in every aspect of football. The helmets that protect players are made from polycarbonate plastics, strengthened with minerals like silica and talc. The face masks often contain titanium, a lightweight and durable metal derived from the rock ilmenite. Titanium ensures protection without adding excessive weight, allowing athletes to perform at their best.

Football pads are another example. These are constructed from high-density foams, which incorporate minerals like calcium carbonate to enhance strength and durability. Even the leather football itself owes its stitching and construction to minerals—chrome, from chromite, is used in the tanning process to give the leather its toughness and flexibility.

Let’s not forget the turf and stadium! Natural grass fields rely on fertilizers containing potash (potassium minerals) and phosphate to grow thick and lush. Synthetic turf, on the other hand, contains silica sand and rubber infill to mimic natural grass. Stadium lighting, powered by electricity flowing through copper wiring, ensures the game shines brightly, no matter the time of day.

Minerals also play a crucial role in broadcasting the game. Your TV, smartphone, or tablet screen wouldn’t exist without quartz, which provides the glass, or rare earth elements like neodymium and yttrium, which enhance display clarity. The batteries powering these devices rely on lithium, cobalt, and nickel—essential minerals that keep us connected to the action.

When you celebrate a touchdown with fireworks or halftime light shows, you’re witnessing minerals at work. Strontium creates red sparks, copper produces blue, and barium adds green brilliance. These dazzling displays remind us that minerals aren’t just practical—they’re fun!

From the championship trophy to the safety gear, the field, and even the halftime show, minerals make football possible. They ensure players are protected, the game is accessible to millions of fans, and the experience is unforgettable.

So, the next time you cheer for your team under the bright stadium lights, remember that minerals are at the heart of the game. Whether it’s the thrill of a touchdown or the gleam of a trophy raised in victory, Minerals Make It Happen!