C.J. Beathard’s helmet has been a major topic of interest this week.

The disappearance and eventual return of the Iowa quarterback’s hat garnered attention from national news media after this week’s Iowa football press conference, when Beathard shed some light on how the helmet was recovered.

“Our equipment guy told me that one of the cops walking down the street saw a kid wearing it downtown,” he said.

The story has become a sort of legend — the perfect tale to cap off what was an incredible night of football in Iowa City.

At the time I’m writing this, the @RealCJHelmet twitter account is up to 191 followers, and even Gary Dolphin has joined in on the fun.

But only one person knows the real story of what happened that night, and that’s the University of Iowa student who snagged the helmet off the Kinnick Stadium turf after Keith Duncan’s kick soared through the uprights.

Through some mutual friends, I was able to track down the wearer of the helmet. He agreed to share his account under the condition that we keep his identity a mystery.

This is his story…

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Q: Where were you leading up to storming the field and how did you end up with C.J.’s helmet?

A: I was with one close friend in the student section. After C.J. scrambled for the first down, we knew we needed a Duncan chip shot and it would be time to rush the field. So, as time was winding down, we ran down as close to the field as we could and were standing in the aisle a few rows up as Duncan buried it. Once we got on the field, it was pure jubilation, screaming and running as fast as we could. I saw the helmet a few yards ahead of us and scooped it up without much thought. It was a helmet of a team I love more than almost anything in the world. Why wouldn’t I pick it up?



Q: How did you manage to get it out of the stadium without anyone noticing? And what did you do after you left Kinnick?

A: My friend had a big ole jacket we put it under. That said, we could have walked straight out with it because of the madness at that point. After we left Kinnick, we pulled the helmet back out and only then realized it was C.J.’s. We then went to our tailgate spot on Melrose Court where I experienced my life’s peak in popularity.

Q: How many photos would you estimate were taken of different people trying on the helmet?

A: There’s got to be 20 or so different pictures circulating out there…

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Q: Then you decided to take the helmet downtown?

A: We actually walked down Burlington and then through the Ped Mall with it. Passed several police officers and they didn’t seem to notice, but a few other fans asked to take pictures with it. I didn’t have my ID for the bars, so I needed to run home, and contemplated leaving the helmet there, but my friends were texting me expressing their need to attempt to drink out of the helmet at the bars, so I had no choice.

Q: What kinds of reactions did you get from people when they saw you with the helmet?

A: Mild interest followed by an immediate need to get a picture once they realized it was C.J.’s. One kid even took his mouthpiece and gave it a taste.

Q: At what point did the run-in with the police occur? How did that exchange go down?

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A: I was actually shocked that I made it all the way home with no run-ins, but about 10 feet outside my apartment door a police officer pulled his car over in front of me. He was about as nice and understanding as I could have ever hoped for. A rough transcript of the exchange is below, keeping in mind I was very much caught off guard and wasn’t at my cognitive peak:

Iowa City Police officer: “Excuse me, where did you get that helmet?”

Me: “The Iowa Store.”

Iowa City Police officer: “I’ve never heard of that. Where’d you get all those stickers?”

Me: “I put them on myself?”

Iowa City Police officer: “There’s about 10 helmets missing, and one of them is C.J.’s and that says #16.”

Me: “He’s my favorite player so I bought his stickers.”

Iowa City Police Officer: “You can either give me the helmet or I can arrest you.”

Me: “Here you go.”

Sadly, no one ever got a chance to drink from the helmet.

Q: This must have been an unforgettable night.

A: No better feeling. Kinnick is one of my favorite places in the world, so to be there for a historic night like that, with great friends, it’s something I’ll never forget. Rushing the field and seeing the look on James Daniels’ face was a realization of just how unbelievable and how special a moment that was. Wouldn’t change a single thing about it.

Q: If you could say something to C.J. Beathard about the experience, what would you tell him?

A: First off, I’m sorry if the helmet stuff caused you any trouble. I honestly gave it no thought and was pretty wrapped up in the complete euphoria of that entire night. The gravity of stealing the helmet didn’t set in until a couple days ago once Ferentz was interviewed and referred to the equipment as being “accosted.” It was like your dad telling you “I’m not mad at you, just disappointed.” Except your dad doesn’t love you, or even know who you are.

Anybody who knows me knows how much I love the Hawkeyes, I didn’t mean to do anything malicious. That said, it was pretty awesome to put on the helmet of a guy who’s worked his butt off for five years. A guy who has put his blood, sweat, and tears into the program and led us to our most unforgettable season ever. So thanks C.J. for everything you’ve given to this program, this state, and these students. We love you — Not in a romantic way, but in a way where I’ll take your helmet and wear it around for a couple hours and not regret it at all.