U.S. Senator Asks FTC for Helmet Safety Investigation
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate what he believes are “misleading safety claims and deceptive practices” by two companies who manufacture and refurbish helmets. Udall believes the companies’ advertisements violate the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits the use of misleading descriptions of the protective qualities of a safety device, especially those used by children.
Udall requests investigations into Schutt and Riddell (the official helmet manufacturer for the NFL) and states that Riddell’s claim that their Revolution helmet, which is advertised to reduce the risk of concussions by 31%, is false. Each year, about 4.4 million student athletes under the age of 18 play organized football; 500,000 of which suffer concussions.
Udall believes that helmet reconditioners and manufacturers have not been conducting required tests and believes this, and other lapses in testing protocol, indicate a need for some level of governmental oversight.