Abstract: A plier-like tool for removing a face mask from a protective sports helmet worn by an athlete in such a way as to minimize the risk of exacerbating an existing spinal injury. The tool has a buttress portion and a blade portion pivotally connected to each other. The blade portion has a sharpened blade which, upon application of pressure to hand grips, slices through the plastic clips that are normally used to attach such face masks to the helmet. The buttress portion includes a cut-out portion and transverse slot that engage the metal bars of the face mask to prevent the tool from slipping off the bars, and the blade portion includes a notch to ensure that the blade portion engages the plastic clips.