Football helmet technology continues to evolve as manufacturers work to improve player safety. Schutt Sports tests its football helmets by subjecting them to impacts during a controlled process.
The company has been developing football equipment for more than 100 years. Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Schutt Sports' parent company, Certor Sports, said it takes about three years to develop a new helmet. Helmet designs vary depending on the age, size, skill set and position of the player.
"It's a really unique science that the speed and force and mass that's creating that impact energy is so different, and there's different designs and materials used to address each one of those," Erspamer said.
Safety is a major focus for the company, particularly because of growing concerns about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. According to the CDC, CTE is linked to abnormal proteins that damage brain tissue and cause brain cells to undergo cell death, affecting how the brain works. It is associated with repeated head impacts, which happen frequently in football. Certor Sports is trying to combat that stigma.
"Having parents, coaches, athletes themselves become more educated on what's available to them today is really a big piece of what we do," Erspamer said.
He said helmet technology is rapidly advancing, including the use of 3D printing to create micro sponges and soft-shell technology designed to help absorb impact. He also said helmets now feature air inflation technology to improve fit. He said even helmets made six or eight years ago are outdated.
"We estimate 60 to 75 percent of high school kids even going into this year are wearing helmets that are now rated three stars out of a five-star system," Erspamer said.
Erspamer said cost remains a challenge for many teams. He said a typical NFL helmet can cost $1,000, while high school helmets average about $350 each. A five-star-rated youth football helmet costs less than $200, he said.
When asked what he would say to parents who believe football is too dangerous for their children to play, Erspamer said research is available on the medical side of the issue but added that he believes the sport has become safer.
"I believe the game is much safer," Erspamer said.
