New helmet hailed as revolution in sports safety

A revolution has arrived for many high school football players.

The Revolution is a relatively new football helmet that many of the county's coaches have embraced.

The helmet, made by Riddell, is designed with revolutionary technology to reduce the risk of concussion. According to Riddell, the computer-designed helmet marks the first significant change in a player's headgear in nearly 25 years.

Concussion is the most common head injury that occurs during sports participation, according to Benetta Albaugh of the Rehab Health Center at Doctor's Hospital, noting that 13.3 percent of reported injuries in high school football are injuries to the head and neck.

Another new feature to the helmet includes the positioning of the shell of the helmet farther away from the head than on past helmets. This, along with the curved top of the helmet, is designed to minimize the impact of a direct hit on the crown of the helmet. The curvatures of the helmet help direct blows off the side of the helmet.

The helmets also have larger holes on the helmet to allow for greater ventilation for the players.

"I think these helmets will be very helpful to the players," said Greenbrier football coach Mickey Derrick, who ordered 28 of the helmets. "They are safer and that is the most important thing for our players."

The helmets cost about $15-20 more than the standard helmet.

"When it comes to our player's safety, we do not care what the cost is for them," said Harlem coach Jimmie Lewis.

The helmets, according to players, are more comfortable. They are designed to inflate and custom fit each player's head.

"I really like the helmets," said Wolfpack senior Eugene Rogers. "They fit good, are comfortable and you can pump them up to fit the right way, along the sides of your jaw."

Augusta Christian senior Toby Brown said there was an adjustment period with the helmets.

"They took a bit to get used to," he said. "They were awkward at first, but now I really like it."

The Revolution's face-mask design, a further extended square mask, reduces jarring from low-level impacts to the face guard, according to Riddell.

Extended padding for the jaw area is probably the most important feature for the Revolution helmet.

"A lot of hits are delivered to that part of the head," Derrick said. "It is very important to keep that area protected."

Derrick isn't the only county coach that likes the new helmets.

Every coach in the county has ordered some of the helmets for this year.

"These helmets are the supposed to be the top of the line," Lewis said. "We want to get all of our players in these helmets, because making sure they are safe is our No. 1 priority."

Evans running back Cheng Ho agrees.

"All in all, safety is the most important thing," he said. "If the helmets are safer, than they are the best option."