Those who have played the game at any level, this new helmet is designed to absorb more impact than traditional helmets. It weighs about the same; 4.83 pounds compared to the Riddell SpeedFlex at 4.46 pounds. It is a lot bigger in size though, and probably looks goofier than a traditional helmet.
Question is, would you wear it?
I fear this whole sport is in jeopardy if the CTE and concussions continue as is.
Lab test video of absorption comparison:
https://cdn-e2.streamable.com/video/mp4/996qy.mp4?token=1506180797_a6e544ad66db4674a6ea5983f04d98729be8a41a
Comparison photo;
But...
I wonder if it will make any difference to CTE. The issue in CTE seems to be the brain moving around inside the skull case, the energy imparted to the brain tissue the flexing of brain matter. That happens in blocking, tackling, falling to the ground -- routine game play. It's possible concussions could be entirely eliminated and yet the underlying cause of CTE would persist in the game.
In other words: Tackle football may be fundamentally, incurably dangerous to the brains of people who play it regularly.
The NFL might be smart to start pouring money into research on how to mitigate/treat/cure the effects of all that brain-jostling, as well as on preventing concussions.
...just ask yourselves a fundamental question:
Why were concussions rare when the game was played without helmets?
Were they really more rare? Or were they just diagnosed and documented less?
...just ask yourselves a fundamental question:
Why were concussions rare when the game was played without helmets?
Because the subsequent mass memory loss resulted in poor record keeping?
The bigger problem is what you do to at the youth and high school levels. Now that the risks are known, I don't see a true moral problem with allowing grown men to play a dangerous sport like football. I can't say the same about kids and high school student, most of whom can't even conceive of, much less make decisions based on, their best long-terms interests.
don't want the risks? pay attention in college and then get a real job. otherwise, role the dice and be a 20 something year old millionaire playing a game.
...just ask yourselves a fundamental question:
Why were concussions rare when the game was played without helmets?
How do you know they were rare? Do you have statistical proof of that?
Under-reported and rare are not the same thing.
...just ask yourselves a fundamental question:
Why were concussions rare when the game was played without helmets?
Maybe concussion symptoms were just diagnosed as demonic possession back then.
This^
Think about it like this: Take two hammers and smack them together. You would feel the sting from the impact in both hands and if hit hard enough, right up your arms. Next, take two equally weighted and balanced rubber coated mallets. The hit could be just as hard but the result of the impact would be significantly less. The rubber would absorb the impact and you would hardly feel anything in your hands.
Think about it like this: Take two hammers and smack them together. You would feel the sting from the impact in both hands and if hit hard enough, right up your arms. Next, take two equally weighted and balanced rubber coated mallets. The hit could be just as hard but the result of the impact would be significantly less. The rubber would absorb the impact and you would hardly feel anything in your hands.
That's exactly right. It's shock absorption leaving less impact on the skull. It may look ugly, but it's safer
Eli has no excuses...he's just goofy to start with Helmut or no
don't want the risks? pay attention in college and then get a real job. otherwise, role the dice and be a 20 something year old millionaire playing a game.
Especially pay attention in the class where they teach the proper usage and spelling of "roll."
I'm not sure if players will be given the option, but if so I'll bet a lot of them will choose the older, less safe, helmet just because of that.