Riddell recently announced they will have a second season of their Smarter Football initiative. Their hope is to make football safer by protecting players with better technology at the grassroots level.
Hopeful participants can apply to prove they are dedicated to making safety a top priority. Riddell then provides coaches, teams and players with safer football technology and equipment. They will then grant a total of $100,000 worth of products to youth football programs across the United States. Entries for this season end July 31st.
Innovation, technology, & preparation: that's #SmarterFootball. Pledge & pass it on. https://t.co/3ijZGz5JTl pic.twitter.com/3tE8HJqvEu
— Riddell Sports (@RiddellSports) June 17, 2016
Last year’s program received roughy 700 applicants. Riddell then awarded seven programs their newest and most technologically advanced gear. Dan Arment, president of Riddell hopes they can continue to help. “We created this initiative to reward those who advance the game, and to provide a platform for the broader football community to discuss ways we can all make the game safer and more intelligent.”
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Football has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years due to the prevalence of head injuries. Riddell, a former sponsor of a majority of NFL helmets, is currently facing a lawsuit from former NFL players. The lawsuit focuses on Riddell’s 2006 claim that their newest helmet would reduce concussions by 31 precent.
They are now trying to make more technologically advanced helmets and products. One of their most important new initiatives are wearables that will allow coaches to monitor their players in great detail. Riddell’s InSite alert system will provide real-time data and alerts for coaches regarding any hits to the head. If a player suffers a massive hit, or a series of smaller blows to the head, coaches will be alerted through the device. An alert signals a player needs to be taken out and tested for a possible concussion.
Along with InSite, Riddell will provide teams with their new SpeedFlex helmet. It is flexible in both the facemask and the inner shell. Memory foam-like padding and a more secure chinstrap are also featured.
The hope is to protect football players at a youth level, when they are very vulnerable to head injuries. Making sure helmets fit players properly is another important safety measure Riddell is promoting at the grassroots level.
Riddell wants their Smarter Football program to help youth football coaches focus on teaching the safest techniques. Because even with all of the most advanced monitoring systems and headgear, if heads up tackling isn’t ingrained at a young age, head injuries and concussions will likely continue to be a problem.
Keeping your head up is key to tackling the right way. #SmarterFootball pic.twitter.com/6d08AI8oWd
— Riddell Sports (@RiddellSports) June 22, 2016
President and co-founder of the Juniata Thundercats, one of last years recipients, Bryant Paden understands the importance of making football safe for kids. “Given the importance of football to our neighborhood kids, we have a responsibility to them and their families to ensure we’re doing our part to protect these athletes using the latest techniques and tools.”
We have covered Riddell here on numerous occasions as football safety concerns rise. The company is no longer the sole name-brand associated with NFL helmets. With more competition in the NFL helmet market, better technology is sure to arise at highest level of the sport. But all of the attention given to the NFL for their concussion protocols can distract from the where most head injuries occur: the youth level.
Youth football is a huge part of so many communities throughout the United States. Despite all of the talk about football’s atrophy, a large population of American youth will be playing for years to come. Last year 1.23 million kids between 6-12 played tackle football. Riddell and their Smarter Football program are needed more than ever in order to help make the game that means so much to so many people, much safer.
Riddell’s newest protective football technology will try to help a lot of kids be more safe on the field. Although they cannot provide every deserving youth football program with their equipment and technology, it is a step in the right direction.