As if they dont look dorky enough in their Whataburger throwback uniforms, now NFL referees (umpires, to be more specific) are rumored to be getting equipped with helmets for the 2010 season. Alright, alright, there is a legitimate safety issue here. Especially when considering how badly the refs have gotten beat upduring recent seasons. The NFL has grown increasingly concerned for the physical safety of its refs, and for good reason.

Last week during Monday Night Football, umpire Butch Hannah got lit up by Chargers safey Steve Gregory. Earlier this season, umpire Garth DeFelice got assplanted four times in one game. Or Jeff Triplett getting faceplanted by a Bills player during a game last year (Image above, video below). Incidents like this are becoming far too common. Today’s NFL players are freakishly big and fast, so the game has never been more dangerous for refs. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL already began taking steps towards such a precaution during owner’s meeting two weeks ago, so it is only a matter of time before we see refs strap on helmets.

Think the NFL is going overboard? Then check out these videos of NFL refs getting treated like Rihanna after pissing off a drunken Chris Brown after the jump.