Helmet Safety in Youth and Professional Football
The recent rise in concussions and other injuries sustained by players in the NFL this season has brought to light a lot of questions, and criticism, when it comes to the safety requirements of helmets. One of the more troubling issues is that helmets worn by players in the NFL are not held to a national safety standard in regards to concussion prevention.
Helmets are not, and have never been, formally tested against the forces believed to cause concussions. The industry, which receives no governmental or other independent oversight, requires helmets for players of all ages to withstand only the extremely high-level force that would otherwise fracture skulls. The standard has not changed since it was written in 1973, despite the recent rise in concussions in youth and professional football players.