New Helmet Company making headway into the league

Ok. For decades, Riddell and Schutt have had a majority of the helmets in the league. For Decades, concussions have been the silent scourge of the league. Ending careers. Ending lives.

I caught this article and wanted to share.. A new helmet has been approved. Many people in this forum have talked about the sort of technology used in these helmets.. And for that, I applaud you because you had the idea years ago..

The Football Helmet Just Got the Biggest Redesign Since the 1960s--and It's Coming to the NFL Next Season


"Seattle-based startup Vicis has been working since 2013 on a new type of football helmet that's designed to yield on contact. The result is a thud sound, instead of the violent crack players and fans are used to hearing. The softer impact means less trauma to the head, and the theory is that this will reduce the likelihood of brain injuries or concussions.

Outside of testing scenarios, Vicis's helmet, called the Zero1, has yet to make its way onto the heads of NFL players--but that's about to change. According to the company, 25 of the NFL's 32 teams have purchased stockpiles of the helmet from Vicis to distribute to their players during practices this spring."

and then this tidbit.

"In addition to the 25 NFL teams, Vicis says at least 20 NCAA teams will be using the helmets this year." (bolded for emphasis)

Been waiting for this or something like it for years. Good.

Sounds like the helmet acts like a shock absorber, simple idea but could be a lifesaver.

I bought an authentic NFL helmet about 15 years ago and it completely blew my mind how there is not any padding in it; just hardened plastic. These helmets need "crumple zones" types of foam of cushion. Quite honestly, I can't believe it has taken this long.

Soft outer layer to act as a shock absorber.

That's .... brilliant.

This is the helmet I'd like to see: Gridiron Labs | Brand, Logo, Sports Identity, Graphic Design

I applaud the efforts but until there is ample evidence this new helmet reduces concussions I'm not getting too excited.

DaBruinz said:

Ok. For decades, Riddell and Schutt have had a majority of the helmets in the league. For Decades, concussions have been the silent scourge of the league. Ending careers. Ending lives.

I caught this article and wanted to share.. A new helmet has been approved. Many people in this forum have talked about the sort of technology used in these helmets.. And for that, I applaud you because you had the idea years ago..

The Football Helmet Just Got the Biggest Redesign Since the 1960s--and It's Coming to the NFL Next Season


"Seattle-based startup Vicis has been working since 2013 on a new type of football helmet that's designed to yield on contact. The result is a thud sound, instead of the violent crack players and fans are used to hearing. The softer impact means less trauma to the head, and the theory is that this will reduce the likelihood of brain injuries or concussions.

Outside of testing scenarios, Vicis's helmet, called the Zero1, has yet to make its way onto the heads of NFL players--but that's about to change. According to the company, 25 of the NFL's 32 teams have purchased stockpiles of the helmet from Vicis to distribute to their players during practices this spring."

and then this tidbit.

"In addition to the 25 NFL teams, Vicis says at least 20 NCAA teams will be using the helmets this year." (bolded for emphasis)

Click to expand...

Anything that improves player safety and long term health situation is to be welcomed.
On a side note, I was wondering if the "making headway" in the thread title was an intentional pun ?

"25 of the NFL's 32 teams have purchased", wonder who the 7 teams are that did not???

Competition in the market of player safety is welcome....

Gisele will buy one for hubby for sure

This brings back up the age-old dialogue about whether better protection, or less protection, would reduce head trauma. Some have advocated removing the helmets altogether, because the primary leverage is to get players to play with self awareness about their heads being vulnerable. Others have gone in this direction - more and better protection.

The only people I don't trust in this conversation are the ones with certainty.

betterthanthealternative said:

This brings back up the age-old dialogue about whether better protection, or less protection, would reduce head trauma. Some have advocated removing the helmets altogether, because the primary leverage is to get players to play with self awareness about their heads being vulnerable. Others have gone in this direction - more and better protection.

The only people I don't trust in this conversation are the ones with certainty.

Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. I wondered if a "better" helmet would give a player an increased sense of false security which may lead to an increased number of hits to the head but I think the current helmet has already saturated that issue and that any helmet improvement will only be beneficial. But as you stated we will see.

Side note: I wonder how many helmets a team will go through each game.

I have always wondered if guys that stuff fros into their helmets fared better than baldies when it came to concussions lol.

I always thought they should adopt whatever helmet Rodgers uses. Up until 2010, concussions were a problem for him then he switched to his new helmet and they've been much less of an issue after that.

I think there's only so much you can do. This might help absorb some of the shock but the real problem is that the sudden movement of the head is what does it, not the helmet itself. Any quick jerk of the head can cause the brain to smash against the skull. I just think that in the end, there won't be enough protection to say the issue is solved.

You know, everyone has always said it is impossible to invent a helmet that can find a way to prevent many concussion related injuries.

I tend to agree, but wow would it be huge for this sport if they find that technology.

Technology has accomplished things many thought to be impossible, so hey you never know.

Tony2046 said:

Side note: I wonder how many helmets a team will go through each game.

Click to expand...

Wondering about this as well. Do the helmets spring back to their original shape after they get hit?

Belichick_The_Great said:

This is the helmet I'd like to see: Gridiron Labs | Brand, Logo, Sports Identity, Graphic Design

Click to expand...

Impact sensors would be a great idea. They could monitor a players contact throughout the game and establish impact limits etc...

PrairiePat said:

Wondering about this as well. Do the helmets spring back to their original shape after they get hit?

Click to expand...

I imagine they would and after thinking about it I can't imagine the NFL would sign up for something that crumpled during normal wear and tear.