Tag Archives: helmet design

  • Simpson-Ganassi Helmets: Advocates For a Safer Game

     

    Despite the mounting evidence against the long-term effects of concussions and the manifold endeavors to make sports as safe as possible with safer rules, little by way of innovative equipment improvements has been made on any official level. Outside initiatives – such as the GelDefender™ – have been undertaken, but little from the inside of sports.

     

    So it’s equal parts baffling and impressive that some from the motor racing world have taken the initiative to make a giant leap forward in football helmet design. Especially when considering that racing has generated very little negative concussion attention – with the glaring exception of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s concussion that took him out of two races.

     

    Bill Simpson, established racing equipment engineer, and Chip Ganassi, owner of several winning racing teams, have together formed Simpson-Ganassi Helmets to create a new football helmet.

     

    It’s still being perfected, and only a handful of players are wearing it. The padding used on the inside is completely new technology, which is all very hush-hush. The vague descriptions provided give little away as to the science behind the padding and how it relates to concussions.
     

    That aside, none of the above-mentioned handful have had a concussion with it on. If it proves itself on the field and the kinks get worked out of it, it could very well be a future staple of the game.
     

    If that is the case, then we celebrate a safer game for the future. And no matter how this helmet pans out, we celebrate a couple guys willing to go out on a limb to try to make the sport safer, even if it isn’t even theirs. Or maybe especially because it isn’t theirs.

     

    *Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefenderTM products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.

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