Abstract: A rib protector is disclosed for protecting a player's torso while playing athletic events, such as football. The rib protector includes an pad having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A flexible belt is attached to the outer surface of the pad for securing the pad around the player's torso in a position in which the inner surface of the pad is adjacent the torso. A plurality of removable plates are attached to the belt for covering portions of the outer surface of the pad. The plates are constructed for receiving the impact of blows delivered to the rib protector and distributing the impact force to the pad. The plates are separate from one another and individually removable from the belt whereby a player using the rib protector may attach a selected number of plates to the belt.