From the first sunrise, to the dawn of eternity, men have worn symbols emblazed on their chests, shields, flags, even their hearts, all standing for what they believed in and defining who they were. Although the times, culture, and even circumstances have evolved, symbols have remained etched as placeholders in our history remembering who we once were and showing us where we are headed..
Born from these men and their very drive to be remembered as legends, comes Headlines and Heroes. More than just apparel, Headlines and Heroes was created for those who aspire to be more, who aspire to stand for something and to be noticed.
These are the heroes that in their time made headlines, and who have transcended their symbols and influence on the world into what we know now as Headlines and Heroes.

In The Beginning…

During the Roman Empire, around 246 BC, a brutal spectator sport was introduced. The "players" were Gladiators , trained and professional fighters who fought against each other, wild animals, and condemned criminals, often to the death as a source of entertainment. Gladiators were usually selected from prisoners of war, slaves, and sentenced criminals. They were fierce and savage fighters, battling not only for their pride, but for the respect and awe of thousands of people. Known for and identified by their distinct visored helmets and horse drawn chariots , these symbols of power and ferocity defined Gladiators as heroes of their time.

There is only one group of men, savage and vicious enough to kidnap Caesar himself and to attack the great city of Olympus until bringing it to impoverishment in the 3rd century. Pirates of the sea fought with conviction and audacity, raising their symbol when they needed to take what they wanted. The Jolly Roger is the flag of piracy and is recognizable as a symbol of fear and aggression. Often the flag alone was enough to scare opposing crews into surrendering, a form of visual and psychological warfare in itself. Pirates used this symbol as a sign of strength and power, and once the victors captured their cargo and ship, it was used as a sign of fortitude.

In Japan in 702 AD, Emperor Mommu introduced a law that men who turned soldiers were expected to supply their own weapons, and thus in return were exempted from taxes. These soldiers, named The Samurai, were evolved to be exceptional at combat, martial arts, and archery and were heavily relied upon to squash national rebellions by the emperor. The term Samurai originally meant "those who serve in close attendance to nobility", and written in the Chinese character, or kanji, that had the same meaning. Kanji as a symbol represented Samurai as "gentlemen fighters" who lived by a code of conduct, to be loyal and noble, and to live and die with honor.

After the First Crusade, in a time of darkness and brutality of the Middle Ages, a military order was formed. The Knights Templar were "warrior monks" whose battle techniques were pertinent in the battles of the Crusades and whose influence on the Western world can still be seen in the establishment of modern banking. Speculated as the keepers of a long lost secret, The Holy Grail, and known as both loyal soldiers and savvy financial leaders, the Knights Templar is best recognized by their symbolic garb. With a white surcoat, the distinct red cross emblazoned above the heart/chest, is a beacon of valor and is synonymous with the Order, remaining a symbol of heroism

Two rival and well known street gangs and were formed in Los Angeles, California during the twentieth century. The Crips and The Bloods have been battling bands of notorious gangsters for many years whose reach has spanned from local neighborhoods to an almost franchise-like impact across the world. The most notable way to identify a Crip or a Blood is by the color that they wear, and that color comes with profound meaning and solidarity.
The oldest and largest gang, The Crips, wears blue as their gang color, identifying members globally as allies if they too wear The Crips’ blue. The Bloods, who started as a political organization for the protection of African American communities, are known for their red apparel, also joining allies with those who wear the reds of The Bloods and rival their enemies in blue, forming cohesive bonds by symbols for all to fear and respect.

Organized sports were created by the innate desire and need for competition. Evolved from the earliest ancient games and militaristic training, professional sports leagues were formed, giving individuals a chance to compete on a more serious level and as a group. These groups developed into teams and regardless of what sport it was that came into popularity and was greeted with much fanfare, teams continued to be synonymous with competitive events. With growing pride and spirit, logos and uniforms became symbols of who belonged to what team, representing individuals who became legends and records that became history. Even the fans of individual teams continue to wear team logos and/or uniforms as a way of associating with something larger than themselves, something that distinguishes and gives them a sense of passion. As one of the largest entertainment industries, symbols in sports have given popular culture a way to identify the winners and losers and has heightened competition amongst long-standing team rivalries.
Symbols mean more than depictions and figures, markers and signs. They reflect the soul, and stand unchanged through the heroes who have made headlines, and the headlines that have preserved thier heroism.