Shoulder Pads Remain Optional

A group of National Football League players hopes to start gaining yardage in twills and worsteds.

NFL Properties Inc., the National Football League’s licensing arm, is launching a sportswear line through its Quarterback Club--the 11 star quarterbacks who joined forces in 1990 to market themselves separately from the NFL’s 1,500 lesser-known players.

The “QBC Collection,” purportedly designed by the likes of the Rams’ Jim Everett and the Denver Broncos’ John Elway, is to be announced at an apparel trade show in Las Vegas on Thursday. The clothing, to be sold in department stores starting next fall, will range from blazers retailing at $200 to $300 to golf shirts ($40 to $60) to fashion footwear ($50 to $100).

So even if you can’t throw a football 60 yards, soon you can dress like Warren Moon.