A New Helmet For The NFL's Concussion Problem | Forbes

The cofounders of Vicis believe their Zero 1 helmet will revolutionize NFL player safety in an age of heightened concussion awareness.
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[@leevasquez3879]

Let's all thank Dr. Bennet Omalu for doing his best to publish his studies on CTE and for convincing the NFL to tell the truth.

[@apostolosvelios]

without bennet omalu research we still can think that head collision will be bad for our brain

[@MasterOctagon]

not really. Before this concussion stuff I never knew that your brain doesn't heal or that your brain is loose in your skull.

[@B3Band]

Velios, you don't live ion the USA. Before these recent studies, the entire American football culture was about big hits. A concussion was just called "getting your bell rung," and you were expected to get back into the game ASAP. And this was true even at youth levels.

[@DatlTAE]

june 2016 a new noscae standard test came out which is what you just witnessed. the nfl gave the military and 44 other compamies, students, schools, and organizations from all over the world grants. 200 orgamizations gave their ideas only 45 recieved 50000 grants to test. the military tether you saw was a substance that is soft but hardens when a quick force is excerted, like silly puddy. They did this not for the nfl but for themselves so paratroopers would receive concussions less frequently from landing they just found a use for it in the nfl sense they see the biggest threat of a concussion exists when the head snaps back amd hits the ground. the studies and grants are supposed to go on for 4 years. roger simply wants to hide the concussion problem while finding a solution under our noses. he has taken steps tovreduce concussions through rule changes. a highschool coach makes his kids takle bags and do drills with no helmet to teach proper tackling technique.

[@xirocastgaming4809]

Lee Vasquez YES!!! THANK YOU!!

[@UltimateBreloom]

they need this is hockey.

[@B3Band]

I got a concussion from reading the comments on this video.

[@kg.turner1301]

My school has them but only like 15 and I'm kinda mad that kids on the sideline get them and a starting linebacker (me) doesn't

[@Danny-kt7zg]

Didn't Schutt use pretty much the same stuff in the vengeance line

[@willisverynice]

I was just thinking how great it was that at least the NFL cares about this enough to do something, then I remembered (/was reminded) they only want to protect the players because they are high value assets to them and they want to protect their investment.

[@DatlTAE]

highschool players too and children. that is where the most money is made

[@enlightenedwarrior7119]

I played with the ridell and bike helmets

[@susananene2937]

Yeah

[@XxBigDAWG22xX]

I played football 13 years and never had a single concussion. Targeting and tackling forms are the cause of probably 50% of concussions today. Tackling forms create head to head contact and db are trying to stay lower than wr making more head to head contact. Take out targeting and go back to more of a old school way to tackle and you will not have close to as many concussions. Helmets help but are not the full problem.

[@rafaeldominguez4355]

XxBigDAWG22xX then the db's should hit them with their shoulders or wrap around their waist

[@116brigbrotha]

thats why most NFL teams do a rugby tackling clinic, as I play Rugby in the spring and football in the fall, the tackling for Rugby is a lot safer than football, just because your body naturally tackles with less intensity when you dont have pads, and proper technique, of course.

[@heis-tea5589]

XxBigDAWG22xX I totally agree

[@benjaminpenney7150]

XxBigDAWG22xX you're lucky as a RB for 2 years I got 3 concussions from people just blowing me up lolol

[@0-Elias-0]

Mr. BigDawg, What positions did you play throughout those 13 years? Thanks.

[@SIMINGTON11]

Well done

[@DankBoi226]

I need this

[@0-Elias-0]

Have we all forgotten what the mouthguard is for? 1.) It's customizable to every player (regardless of size, age, position). 2.) It costs less than $10. 3.) It was designed to reduce concussions.

[@Hunterrobinson-u4f]

Light Helmets is growing and is making an impact. I did like Vicis, but I’ve moved on from it, including the big ones: Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith. The problem is the weight, not needing more padding.

[@kodawitdasoda_]

They should try using a softer outer shell that works as a more cushion like absorbing the blow rather than deflecting

[@jfc6718]

It looks good. Hopefully it'll help.

[@austinfranklin3303]

You may say " oh this is dumb. A concussion is rare" let me tell you I thought the same thing until one of my friends got hit and got knocked unconscious right in front of me. He had to be life flighted to memorial Herman. He is trying to learn to walk again. It can happen to anyone, and you don't realize it until it is too late.

[@DStamppp]

I'll buy 4

[@luvsilly60]

Disposable liners is my guess

[@jo0ar93]

Matlab!

[@livingaboard]

there was a video that pretty much didn't say shit about the product

[@jamesw512]

The problem is that concussions can be caused by rapid changes in movement, not just direct impacts. The damages concussions cause are inside the skull so helmets can only do so much.

[@asambi69]

The way these helmets flex looks viable to help stop concussions but the flex in them makes me worry about skull injuries, they flex ALOT meaning the outter skin of the helmet could infact connect forces with the skull directly, undoing the whole point of the helmet in the first place.

[@tylersmith7098]

looks dope

[@patb3356]

This is great

[@ShadowMosses]

wow thats cool

[@brodymartin1991]

the NFL doesn't care

[@KanyeEnjoyerr]

They only care about the 💰💰💰

[@seansylvain5779]

AllThingsBoston

[@wyattk929]

Brody Martin The NFL is doing what they can. Players play football knowing knowing the consequences. How come nobody gives a shit about rugby but oh, the NFL is the biggest problem. I'm sick of people complaining

[@brodymartin1991]

nobody is talking about rugby

[@brodymartin1991]

and no they aren't

[@ShellyQ16]

great work . but not enough. must connect to the body for effective protection.

[@theragingplasticmaniac5025]

This looks like the same approach to energy absorption that NASCAR used with their SAFER barrier "soft" wall.

[@michaelgoodson6373]

I'm all for anti concussion helmets but the rules of the NFL have become ridiculous. If I don't want to get hit in the face, I don't become a boxer. I get a desk job. Football is dangerous and to expect all these flags is foolish.

[@arctickittycat]

i just got a concussion too

[@FoxMacLeod2501]

Wow. I know this is missing the point, but I just love the photo they use at 0:20 of a player grabbing his helmet, as though that's something that happens in the split second after (as the play is clearly either still going or has just ended) a concussion; everyone's seen the telltale "oww, my head" gesture indicative of a concussion.

[@NamesVexah]

Put adidas boost in the helmet

[@tucsonhigh4677]

Roberto Rivas w

[@NamesVexah]

TucsonHigh 4 lol right?!?!

[@KerryParkIslanders-nq4rm]

BreadedChicken lol

[@satellite3253]

Lmao sounds interesting and terrible at the same time

[@jose864]

Ahhahha, genius

[@DaneReidVoiceOver]

Best of luck to them

[@daynekline6225]

It doesn't matter what kind of helmet you have...most of the time a concussion is caused from whiplash

[@jimmystavridis7752]

Man Perfect exactly yet if you strengthen your traps andneck, wear a mouth guard have a good helmet and neck pad you have good chances

[@leekyuhui]

but whiplash is created by impact

[@daynekline6225]

yea but you could still wear an old helmet with bad padding and it doesn't really matter on the type of helmet it's the whiplash trust me I just had a concussion and that's what the doctor told me

[@thekingar325]

Man Perfect you clearly didn't read the whole video. It's simple physics. It clearly won't get rid of Concussions in general but it can reduce it a lot more than a standard helmet where you get a concussion every hard hit.

[@LSUFaithful7]

Hence 2:54 _equipment tether system_, I think researchers already understand the risk whiplash poses. Unfortunately, football isn't like racing where the Hans device is used, so they'll have to develop an alternative solution that still allows players to move their head around freely.

[@nutmaster652]

Shit I'd die of CTE before I spend 1.5 bands on my helmet

[@brandonlaws4405]

My coach said if you don't want to get hurt be the hammer not the nail I don't know if that will work

[@Anthony-tf7sr]

My high schools getting this helmet this upcoming season

[@The1234bboy]

You have to see it tested in game and practice use repetitively because no one wants a helmet that will break or not breathe or doesn't have widely available parts if something does break or if it has to get reconditioned they would have to send it to a special place, helmets and football equipment aren't just about the performance of the product but the availability, simplicity, and price

[@connorlargent7804]

1500 dam

[@lanceallen8766]

I'd pay up for this, probably like $400-$600 but its for safety.

[@alexmescudi292]

1,500

[@lanceallen8766]

Alex mescudi lol close enough

[@lug.5329]

Risk compensation in the making. Wonderful news.

[@daviongause7379]

that is xenith with the green

[@freshprinceofbellend7820]

"We want to make the helmet available for youth athletes" Helmet costs $1500

[@sheawee]

Didn't you hear where he said that they know it's expensive and the aim is to refine production methods in the next few years to being down the price point so it's available to youth athletes?

[@jayfowl]

😂

[@dollazNzentz]

Shea Weekley I'm surprise at how many people didn't catch that part. This is for professional athletes to start then when mass production hits the cost lowers

[@davidupshaw5933]

he said in the future

[@7thdayproductions330]

Are you concussed? He said they are going to refine and scale manufacturing in order to bring the price point down literally right before that.

[@skydive7273x]

What they need is a better head analog - put the sensors suspended in fluid and see how the helmet protects that

[@zikamiri7209]

So far it looks like vicis is the new Riddel

[@anmol94sand]

Cannabis oil can help with CTE or any other brain injuries.

[@tinuolaallimi8922]

Bruce Lee really so like smoking weed will help

[@tinuolaallimi8922]

But won’t that mess up my breathing since I’m playing football

[@OmegaSeraphim]

Soooo...how will rule changes stop helmet to ground collisions?

[@burninghammerstudios7033]

everybody just needs to tackle like the seatle seahawks

[@drakanjish8242]

so basically u made a helmet that's flexible, and made it 1.5 k... thats bs

[@right8630]

Chillen Tbh that's how it starts they will get cost down by making it with cheaper or better materials and mass production.

[@BIGBSMALLWRLD]

Chillen Tbh its mostly for nfl players, as they said they'll go reducing the price for I guess college players, and so on

[@dollazNzentz]

Chillen Tbh I work at Seattle Childrens where Dr Browd works and have CT scanned this helmet personally. It's much more than just a "flexible helmet".

[@ohcnohal]

Tyler

[@volundrfrey896]

R&D is really fucking expensive. All new technology costs a lot initially to then trickle down an be available to most people. I guess those money loving dicks who made the early computers should have just stopped because most people couldn't afford them initially?

[@keithbailey6268]

It's not even just concussions, they really need to take a look at all equipment and improve, all injuries are an concerned.

[@ctoagn8937]

I wonder if the chin strap can help stop are decrease concussions by making a new one

[@darkmonark97]

Are they selling these things? I need one.So does the NFL!

[@austindinh2063]

Expensive

[@camglasgow8980]

people tackle with their heads across/ infront off the runners body. pretty easy to get concussed that way. js

[@thefurious5127]

In the NHL 600 players get concussed every year

[@jacobc8780]

I played football from age 5-22 and had zero concussions. I was a defensive lineman

[@toasty6930]

so u weren't getting tackled

[@waarschuw1ng]

cause you were playing with kids, not the nfl

[@jacobc8780]

toasty still getting hit in head pretty hard sometimes.

[@williamgarcia356]

"were like NIKE" bitch not even NIKE is that expensive

[@SovereignMoney]

I'm from the future and they were the original big baller brand

[@DudeWhoSaysDeez]

Forbes list like every year

[@CreeperKing831]

I think it's a good idea a really good idea you should add this helmet I wanna try it

[@IIIIALBYIIII]

this was the most common sense to invent. instead of all drama, payout and dispute.

[@tstokes2717]

those helmet would be sweet for lacrosse

[@chipstah775]

the guy at 3:45 sounds like robert downy jr

[@crawford371]

love the shell...needs to work on the facemask design...don't do anything that will hamper protection but cosmetically make it look good

[@beautifulbre3535]

please

[@nachoponce3031]

UW and oregon ducks have these helmets already. they have yet had a concussion problem.

[@koyburnette9085]

They go across the street and by a Ridell because it is 1200 dollars cheaper than the vicis.

[@pedromireles4613]

+Koy Burnette they millions of dollars and the team pays the equipment not them....

[@HIMITHY02]

Sure wish I could get one,but it’s 1500 dollars.dang

[@rubym357]

What about hockey helmets? Derek Boogaard #24/94 an enforcer with a heart! Think of all the kids- BOYS AND GIRLS- in contact sports!

[@johnfay7519]

What about concentrating a bunch of thick liquids and making the outer layer softer so the liquid slows the impact down before it hits another layer which is a hard layer. What about that?

[@TheMsr47gaming]

Or putting a soft liquid inside the skull between the brain and the skull to make them one with each other?

[@jimenaverdaguer5858]

As far as I know the NFL made a settlement to pay families of players from 2006 on. Mike Webster, huge CTE victim, got 0.

[@gongalike3441]

It doesn't help as long as you are a Human being. Your body is full of Bones, Meat and Water. No single piece of Metal/Iron... _Remember that kids!_

[@daanaerts3257]

Railroad urge discussion unlike.

[@Calilou52]

Im so sick of the "we want to make it affordable to anyone" BS. 1,500$ Is not affordable to anyone except the rich whom dont even play the sport.

[@andredavis4101]

I have a xenith my head is OK for now

[@KM-px8cs]

Great things start in the 206.

[@cosmichyper6165]

ive had 3 concussions

[@collinghood6828]

PUT IT INSIDE THE SKULL!

[@jufro19]

I want my Dallas Cowboys vicics helmet

[@giavannadesimone4220]

Concussions don’t just happen from being directly hit in the head. They happen with violent neck movement which causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull resulting in a coup/countre coup injury. Concussion can happen with 0 direct contact to the head. Helmets cannot prevent concussions.

[@TheLefty250]

Any word on making this for hockey helmets and or goalie masks?

[@Hauler24]

We want to make it accessible to others, but 1.5k and even lowering that to something a little lower is not accessible for high schools at all. Crazy.

[@swigyyswag4284]

Did ether of you watch the video?

[@t.j.8568]

the reason why concussion went up is because they have become more strict in diagnosing it

[@nicklarson3317]

improves safety but is 2x as expensive

[@shock80ey]

Coaching better technique. Softer, smaller, shoulder pads and helmets. That would solve a lot of the concussion problems.

[@livinglegend1187]

All these people keep conflating concussions with chronic head trauma...

[@GovSandhu]

They need some Black Panther helmet tbh

[@severinbeastmode4949]

It's pretty impossible for there to be no concussions because there's always gonna be space in your head for your brain to move

[@asianboyisasian9699]

itlooks like a halo4 helmet

[@jamesmowenby]

I think Vicis has a very exciting technology here. It isn't hard to see it being adopted for the ski industry, Lacross, Hockey etc. I wonder if they have tested the helmet in all temperature conditions e.g. does the helmet perform the same in Zero F as it does at 60F. Plastics get brittle when they get cold. I would love to work for this company doing sales-evangelism-business development. Vicis if you read this, I'm in the Seattle area and would love to come to help.

[@demiduval9894]

I think the cushioning needs to be between the brain and the skull. When the player is in motion and helmet hits the ground the brain still hits the skull.

[@wtblack5]

What if we take away helmets all together? It sounds retarded, but think about it for a second, you're much less likely to try and hit your head to someone else's head if there isn't a helmet, just look at rugby, much more contact, no protection, yet less head injury...

[@randomstuff508]

hell, maybe even leather helmets :/

[@jae102900]

Probably because the NFL has different rules than Rugby. Head to Head contact is dangerous, but it can get the opponent tackled easier. For example, imagine Marshawn Lynch rushing during a 4th down and inches with 50 seconds left on a superbowl. If you just straight up body tackle him, he can get extra yards and get the first down. But if you hit him hard in the head, chances to stop him from converting is better than just body tackling. Rugby is a bit different, because just a few yards made by runner doesn't really make much of a difference in the game. NFL, however, every yard matters.

[@jae102900]

So to make everything I said more clear, I'd rather get a concussion and win for my team than lose because I was too scared to hit him in the head.

[@pakiking1993]

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Have you ever player tackle football in your life? The best way to tackle and bring someone down is to get low and wrap around. Aim for the head and you'll bounce right off him.

[@sfjuice797]

They said they were invented to stop scull fractures

[@sauceelego519]

The problem is it's not always (never most of the time) the hit. It is the movement of the brain hitting the skull at a rapid pace that injures them. Helmets cannot be changed to help that, no matter HOW safe the helmet is. So considering, this isn't going to change anything

[@ShawnFX]

I read a comment on another video about concussions in which the guy wrote how his friend works in a helmet factory and he said the problem is the not the helmet but the facemask, because when you have the facemask you feel invincible and players hit harder and lead with their heads more than they would if they didn't have a facemask.

[@brianwyters2150]

I heard that the brain compresses on impact, instead of sloshing around.

[@BrandonP43]

That thing looks dope. Too bad I don't play football anymore.

[@BenGilman]

pro pic on fleek

[@chrisgarza76]

so are they being used this season or not ? i havent heard anything about new helmets

[@soniaaggarwal7066]

i had a friend who had a friend that guy had another friend who is a famous NFL player who died due to concussion

[@theyoungrider2453]

thew only thing about this is the price! $1,500 dollars for something that can save the game of football and reduce concussions. its like telling people that they're fat and them making a salad $30 dollars and burger $5 dollars. it just doesn't make sense. i know you get what you pay for but they need to make it cheaper

[@pouf64]

They only make a move now when money starts to get involved. They didn't give a shit about the player's health before. Typical America. Power in the money, money in the power...

[@burtonl7239]

We should just use expendable prisoners for football. Oh, and rename stadiums as Colosseum. And give them swords.

[@RobertLee-yl4px]

😂😂

[@geraltsnake395]

HAHAHAHA

[@SgtTeddybear66]

And lions, Chariots...

[@CapzDZN]

I was scrolling for a comment like this. Well done. Well done indeed.

[@Nczz8vsz]

Lol