Sock 'Em Boppers

Did anyone ever play with Sock 'Em Boppers as a child? These were among my favorite toys.  I remember receiving them when I was 4 years old and we lived in the duplex next to my Grandma and Grandpa.  A picture from childhood shows me and my Dad, both in our robes, with Sock 'Em Boppers slipped over our hands, aiming these huge rubber cylinders at each others chins.

I wasn't sure they even made them anymore because, really, a toy that encourages kids to beat the crap out of one another is probably not the most P.C..  But I received a call from my sister yesterday who, out doing Christmas Shopping, had happened across Sock 'Em Boppers.  "I was so excited, I just bought them!" she said.  "We're giving them to Jake (her 2-year-old son) for Christmas."

Apparently, Nicole and her husband Grant had Jake over at a friends house the other day and the friends 4 year old son had a set of Sock 'Em Boppers.  They slipped one over Jake's hand and POW!  He nailed the 4-year-old.  Nicole said Grant turned to her and said, "I feel oddly proud of him."

How funny is that!  We were laughing that football helmets and judo training can't be far behind.  "C'mon son, wipe that blood off and get back in the ring." 

Men and their toys...