Last week, some of sport’s biggest stars flocked to Los Angeles, California for the 2018 ESPY Awards. The nationally televised awards ceremony was hosted by racing legend Danica Patrick, the first time a woman has hosted the event.

And while a woman ruled the stage, it was the NFL stars who ruled the red carpet. Among the best dressed were Philadelphia Eagle tight end Zach Ertz and Denver Bronco linebacker Von Miller. Even though they play for different teams and hold different positions, they still have one thing in common: they know how to wear a hat.

Zach Ertz

If Zach Ertz’s Super Bowl moves didn’t make him a household name in February, then maybe his ESPY look will do the trick. His gray plaid suit was refreshing and fashion forward. He topped off the look with a black gambler hat and floral pocket square.

Ertz’s outfit, with black loafers and tie contrasting the light shade of his suit, would have felt incomplete without the hat.

Von Miller

Von Miller has fashion and football running through his blood. He’s a dominant force on the field and is not afraid to experiment with style and make a statement. His ESPY look was no exception.

Pairing black plants with a black suit jacket and a collarless blue dress shirt, Miller’s look was very on trend. He added a bit of bling to the outfit with a thick gold chain. But the accessory that really tied the look together was his black hat. Simple and plain but the perfect piece to make him stand out on the red carpet.

Miller also received a lot of attention when he changed into a three-piece custom Carhartt suit to present an award on stage, just another reason why he has become a fashion icon in the sports industry.

The football players traded shoulder pads for custom suits and swapped helmets for hats. They proved that even a simple black hat can bring an outfit to a whole new level. Will you take a cue from these NFL talents and try to incorporate simplicity into your next hat look?