By Arnie Stapleton / AP Pro Football Writer
THE Denver Broncos Give more than 15,000 helmets to secondary school football programs in Colorado, an NFL primary initiative intended to improve the game and make it safer for preparation athletes.
The team’s foundation has teamed up with Riddell and Colorado High School Activities Association to launch the initiative nicknamed “All in, all covered”. Participants expect to provide 15,516 Riddell Axiom intelligent helmets to every 277 secondary schools in the state with set football programs over a four -year period.
The idea of the program occurred during a meeting of the foundation’s board of directors in August, when the owner and CEO of the Broncos, Greg Penner, and other members of the board of directors sought means to reduce The obstacles to football participation, including security costs and problems.
“Composed on our basic values of equity and innovation, this first initiative of its kind will positively influence the way in which schools and guiding bodies prioritize the health and safety of student-athletes,” said the owner of the team and chairman of the foundation board of directors, Carrie Walton Penner.
Broncos called it the largest philanthropic investment in the 65 years of club history. Although the team has not revealed any figures, intelligent helmets are generally more than $ 800, so the total cost of retail of the 1516 helmets would be more than $ 12 million, not to mention the analyzes and analyzes continues that will be provided all schools.
“After helping Colorado Sanction for lack of girls’ high school flag In 2024, we consider this initiative inherited as an opportunity to invest more in future generations by creating fair access to sport, “said the president of the team and the foundation board of directors on Thursday.
The Broncos said that the Axiom Riddell helmet, which is used by several of their players, had been selected for the program because of its safety and its performance. It has 3D imaging of the head of each athlete for a personalized adjustment and a protective system to improve the response to the impact. Helmets also include detection and impact reporting technology.
The Broncos Foundation will provide each school with a four -year subscription to an analysis and key line system to monitor and analyze the history of the impact, which will help coaches to identify and fight against the defects of the Technique to reduce head injury and optimize performance.
Allie Engelken, Vice-President of Community Impact and Executive Director of the Broncos Foundation, said that 3D imaging analyzes make it possible to redevelop the helmets as part of the standard reconditioning process.
“So, if you take into account that the average lifespan of a helmet is about eight to 10 years with 15,516 helmets … We could see between 75,000 and 155,000 children with these helmets during the Next 13 years, “she said.
Helmets will be delivered to schools from May, as well as start -up kits and maintenance tools.
“I have the impression that a collective” wow “would be in order,” said the Chsaa commissioner Mike Kruger. “It is a little difficult to look into an initiative that will have the kind of impact that it will have.”
