Football uniform mystery

Well, I am no football connoisseur. In fact, I know didley squat about American Football. But one part of football always fascinated me. Or should I say, one part of football players? .... Anyway. The mystery I need to solve has to do with the uniforms those nice young men wear.



Obviously these folks are muscular. And it's clear they wear shoulder pads and thigh pads. Everybody who has an ounce of common sense wears also a cup to protect their progeny regions.... But... Or rather,... butt! Are those padded? You know, the rear of the football player. Or is that the real thing? I have studied the issue during one whole Superbowl in detail (quite a commitment, really, since I know nothing about the game), but I was not able to resolve this pressing issue. Please help. Thank you.