And to celebrate the victory (for the home team, of course), I offer you the following selection of recently issued football related patents for your enjoyment.

U.S. Patent No. 7,168,104 (“Football Shoulder Pads”), issued January 30, 2007 to Edward H. Tobergte – patent relating to “new, improved, breathable, lightweight football shoulder pads … [that] include selectively removable padding which makes the pads even more lightweight as desired and needed”

U.S. Patent No. D535,380 (“Air freshener in the shape of a football jersey”), issued January 16, 2007 to Ali Naqvi

U.S. Patent No. D535,157 (“Football helmet container”), issued January 16, 2007 to Myrna Rae Hoehne

U.S. Patent No. 7,147,579 (“Pass rush trainer”), issued December 12, 2006 to Charles P. Forrest – patent relating to a pass rush trainer consisting of “a frame mounted on a base that may or may not be secured on a ground surface … [the] frame includ[ing] a double spring feature that allows controllable movements of an upper portion of the frame during use”

U.S. Patent No. D533,238 (“Football”), issued December 5, 2006 to Yen-Li Chang

U.S. Patent No. 7,131,917 (“Football training apparatus”), issued November 7, 2006 to Jimmy Spencer – patent relating to “a blocking and tackling dummy adapted with an electrically actuated rotatable torso that provides resistance during blocking drills thereby improving the effectiveness of the drills”

U.S. Patent No. 7,070,521 (“Football training device”), issued July 4, 2006 to Ronald L. Bayduke – patent relating to “a football skills training device which is utilized during practice or other informal situation to teach a football player such as a quarterback or kicker how to deliver a football around or over at least one and preferably a group of defensive linemen”