Tampa Bay Buccaneers: NFL bans use of ten helmet models
Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers always have to balance the violent nature of football with making whatever advancements can be made in protecting their players. After a new study conducted on 34 helmets used in the NFL, they’ve made one small step towards succeeding in achieving this balance.
Ten helmets in total have been banned following the NFL/NFLPA testing, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers players who didn’t wear those models in 2017 will no longer have the option to do so in 2018 and beyond.
Those who did wear one of the newly banned models will be allowed to continue wear for 2018 but will need to find a new model to wear before the 2019 season.
Reported on NFL.com, around 200 players in the league used the helmets which are now banned and will need to find new headgear.
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Why not make player nix the use now? Well, as we’re just four months from live football this is where the balancing of product on the field and safety comes into play.
A football helmet isn’t unlike a vehicle in that comfort, style, mobility and visibility all play a part in choosing the right one for each operator.
New helmets mean new feels, new fits, now lines and new mobility in the head and neck region. Some of those characteristics will be impacted more than others of course, depending on the type of helmet these players choose to transition to.
According to the article posted on the league website they expect most of the players still allowed to wear the banned models in 2018 to transition to other models immediately.
The sooner the better, as training camp is just around the corner and being comfortable with your equipment isn’t a hurdle I’d imagine any player would want to take on while in camp.
I’m not a helmet expert, but among those who will have to change their helmets sooner rather than later appear to be guys like Cam Newton and Tom Brady.
According to Helmet Stalker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston wears the Riddell Revolution Speed helmet and will continue to have the option as it rated out as one of the better performing helmets.
The NFL and NFLPA have banned ten helmets from use beyond 2018 following testing. pic.twitter.com/q9Z5j4Xpu2
— David Harrison (@DHarrison82) April 17, 2018
What do you think about the changes to helmet use? Do you think the league is doing enough to combat head injuries amongst it’s players? Let me know your thoughts on this and all things related to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!