NFL players vie for Barbaro’s ‘Best Dressed List’

Gary Barbaro does not miss an NFL game. The 20-year veteran of the league shows up to the locker room an hour-and-a-half before game time and prepares for the task at hand. Before the game, he jokes around with coaches and players during warm-ups as he studies the clipboard in his hand.

During the game, he walks the sideline for up to an hour-and-a-half into the game.

While these actions may seem abnormal for someone attending a football game, it is part of Barbaro’s weekly routine during football season.

He is not a coach or a player, but he is employed by the NFL. In fact his job is more “fashionable” than other workers employed in the NFL.

For the last 13 years, Barbaro has been the Uniform and Licensed Apparel Inspector for the league.

As the “fashion cop” of the NFL, Barbaro’s job is to ensure that every player meets the uniform requirements before and during games.

The NFL has a total of 32 Uniform and Licensed Apparel Inspectors, one for every NFL city. Since Barbaro is from New Orleans, he accepted the job to inspect the New Orleans Saints.

Shirt not tucked in … That is a violation.

While most people would jump at the chance to work in the NFL, Barbaro’s initial reaction was just the opposite.

“I thought it was one of the retired players from the area trying to play a joke on me,” Barbaro said. “It turned out it was a legitimate job.”

Once Barbaro realized that the phone call was not a joke, he immediately accepted the position.

The NFL implemented the program in 1994 in an effort to get some of the former players involved. After noticing a number of their own players improperly wearing uniforms, the league tightened its rules.

Now for inspectors like Barbaro, the job is simple: lay down the law.

While many of the players may not agree with the uniform code that the NFL has, they must abide by it. If they do not, then the players are subject to penalty.

The first time a player is caught with a violation, the fine is $10,000. Each additional time a player breaks the rule, the fine doubles, going deeper into the violator’s pocket book.

However, during more televised coverage such as the playoffs and the Super Bowl, fines for improper uniform can reach as much as $100,000 for a first offense.

“Every team is given a poster on the proper uniform,” Barbaro said. “The players already know what is expected of them.”

Game socks not pulled up … That is a violation.

Just like the players, the NFL requires Barbaro and the other inspectors to attend training camp.

Every year, Barbaro travels to Millsaps College in Mississippi for Saints training camp. He talks to the players about what is expected of them and discusses the uniform changes for the upcoming year.

“Every year there is something different in the rule book,” Barbaro said, “Whether it’s a new sponsor or a change in apparel, there is always something new. My job is to inform the players at training camp of what the new rules are.”

Barbaro also uses that time to address any questions that any player or coach might have about uniforms.

By the time Barbaro leaves training camp, every player on the Saints, veteran or rookie, knows everything; from color of the shoes, to the height the game socks need to be.

Unlicensed wristband showing sponsor … That is a violation.

One thing Barbaro enjoys about his job is the relationship he makes with many of the players in the league.

Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn provided Barbaro with some of his favorite memories.

“Joe knew fines weren’t given during pre-game warm ups so he would come out purposely wearing his uniform improperly,” Barbaro said. “We would joke around about it. He seemed to be one of the players who liked to give me a hard time.”

While Horn provided Barbaro with fun moments, Barbaro’s greatest experience came in 2001.

Following the Sept. 11 attacks, security increased and the Uniform and Licensed Apparel Inspectors for the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams could not make the trip when their teams made it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Since Barbaro was the New Orleans representative, he was given the opportunity to work the Super Bowl. Something he dreamed of even attending as a child.

“That was just an amazing thing to witness,” Barbaro said. “It’s something I will always remember for as long as I can.”

Pants not covering the knee … That is a violation.

Despite doing the job for 13 seasons, Barbaro has a total of 20 years of NFL experience.

Following a stellar career at Nicholls State, Barbaro became the first player ever drafted from Nicholls when he was picked in the third round of the 1976 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

While with the Chiefs, he had a chance to play for Hall-of-Fame coach Marv Levy and play against Hall-of-Famers such as Dan Fouts, Kenny Stabler and Terry Bradshaw.

He played until the end of the 1982 season.

“I never expected to end up in the NFL when I was at Nicholls,” Barbaro said. “Athletes come to Nicholls simply for an opportunity to play, and fortunately for me it turned into an NFL career. I was given the opportunity to grow, and that definitely helped me.”

After seven years and three Pro Bowls, Barbaro played for the New Jersey Generals of the now extinct United States Football League.

Despite a short but productive career in the NFL Barbaro never expected to be back in the league 11 years later.

“I left the NFL on not-so-good terms,” Barbaro said. “I never thought I would get a job with them. That was even more surprising.”

When Barbaro is away from football he is following his own dress code. Whether it’s at his nine-to-five job, on the lake fishing or in the deer stand hunting, Barbaro knows what to wear. While he may not be a fashion expert one thing is certain: 53 NFL players follow his fashion tips exactly the way Barbaro wants.