Shoulder pad (sport)
Shoulder pads are a piece of protective equipment used in American and Canadian football. Most modern shoulder pads consist of a shock absorbing foam material with a hard plastic outer shell. The pieces are usually secured by rivets or strings that the user can tie to adjust the size.
A related piece of protective equipment is the rib protector. It attaches to the shoulder pads and wraps around the player's midsection. It is designed to protect the ribs, stomach, and back areas.