Latest news with #VICIS
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VICIS, Schutt Helmets Top Updated Virginia Tech Football Safety Ratings
VICIS ZERO2 and Schutt F7 2.0 Helmets Shine Under New Tougher Safety Standards Designed to Help Better Protect Athletes at All Levels PLAINVIEW, Ind., July 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab recalibrated its helmet testing protocols to better reflect how well helmets manage impacts tied to concussion risk, and both VICIS and Schutt helmets continue to meet and exceed these more rigorous safety standards while other popular models drop in rating. This shift aims to ensure that 5-star ratings reflect only the most advanced protection available. As a result, the number of youth football helmets earning a 5-star rating decreased by more than 75%, with only six helmets earning a top rating. The VICIS ZERO2 Youth helmet now remains among one of only two 5-star-rated youth helmets readily available for purchase. "These updated ratings are monumental for football safety at every level," said Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Certor Sports, parent company of Schutt and VICIS. "They re-establish what it means to be a top-performing helmet and provide a clearer roadmap for parents and coaches to choose the best protection for their athletes. We are proud that VICIS and Schutt helmets continue to set the gold standard as we protect the future of the game." Virginia Tech's STAR (Summation of Tests for the Assessment of Risk) system evaluates helmets based on how well they reduce head acceleration in sports-specific impact scenarios tied to concussion risk. With stricter thresholds, only helmets with exceptional performance now earn the highest 5-star designation. Virginia Tech Helmet Lab only recommends players wear helmets that receive a 5-star or 4-star rating. In the Youth Football Helmet category, the VICIS ZERO2 Youth earned a 5-star rating, placing it in the top tier for impact protection. Multiple Schutt helmets received a 4-star rating, reaffirming the brand's reputation among parents, coaches, and programs seeking elite-level head protection. In the Varsity Football Helmet category, only 11 varsity helmets received 5 stars, including four from Certor Sports, the most of any other brand. The VICIS ZERO2 and VICIS ZERO2 TRENCH remain standout performers, both earning a 5-star rating under the tightened benchmarks. The Schutt F7 2.0 was recognized for its superior impact severity reduction, also receiving a 5-star rating. "These new ratings should be a wake-up call with Virginia Tech no longer recommending some of the most commonly used helmets in youth and varsity football," Erspamer said. "Just because a helmet is widely used doesn't mean it's the safest. This should be a moment of reckoning for the entire football ecosystem, from manufacturers to coaches and parents. We owe it to young athletes to go beyond familiarity and focus on verified protection." Certor Sports' continued innovation and leadership in protective design ensures that its helmets consistently rank among the safest in the game, an achievement made more meaningful by the raised bar. To learn more about VICIS helmets, visit and to learn more about Schutt helmets, visit About Certor Sports Certor Sports, LLC, located in Plainfield, Indiana, is a domestic sporting goods manufacturer and parent company for leading protective and equipment brands, including VICIS, Schutt Sports, and TUCCI. From protection to performance, Certor Sports has developed emerging technologies used by MVP-caliber professionals to youth athletes competing each weekend. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Jason Michaeljason@ 314.323.1425 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
VICIS, Schutt Helmets Top Updated Virginia Tech Football Safety Ratings
PLAINVIEW, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab recalibrated its helmet testing protocols to better reflect how well helmets manage impacts tied to concussion risk, and both VICIS and Schutt helmets continue to meet and exceed these more rigorous safety standards while other popular models drop in rating. "We are proud that VICIS and Schutt helmets continue to set the gold standard as we protect the future of the game." - Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Certor Sports, parent company of Schutt and VICIS. Share This shift aims to ensure that 5-star ratings reflect only the most advanced protection available. As a result, the number of youth football helmets earning a 5-star rating decreased by more than 75%, with only six helmets earning a top rating. The VICIS ZERO2 Youth helmet now remains among one of only two 5-star-rated youth helmets readily available for purchase. 'These updated ratings are monumental for football safety at every level,' said Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Certor Sports, parent company of Schutt and VICIS. 'They re-establish what it means to be a top-performing helmet and provide a clearer roadmap for parents and coaches to choose the best protection for their athletes. We are proud that VICIS and Schutt helmets continue to set the gold standard as we protect the future of the game.' Virginia Tech's STAR (Summation of Tests for the Assessment of Risk) system evaluates helmets based on how well they reduce head acceleration in sports-specific impact scenarios tied to concussion risk. With stricter thresholds, only helmets with exceptional performance now earn the highest 5-star designation. Virginia Tech Helmet Lab only recommends players wear helmets that receive a 5-star or 4-star rating. In the Youth Football Helmet category, the VICIS ZERO2 Youth earned a 5-star rating, placing it in the top tier for impact protection. Multiple Schutt helmets received a 4-star rating, reaffirming the brand's reputation among parents, coaches, and programs seeking elite-level head protection. In the Varsity Football Helmet category, only 11 varsity helmets received 5 stars, including four from Certor Sports, the most of any other brand. The VICIS ZERO2 and VICIS ZERO2 TRENCH remain standout performers, both earning a 5-star rating under the tightened benchmarks. The Schutt F7 2.0 was recognized for its superior impact severity reduction, also receiving a 5-star rating. 'These new ratings should be a wake-up call with Virginia Tech no longer recommending some of the most commonly used helmets in youth and varsity football,' Erspamer said. 'Just because a helmet is widely used doesn't mean it's the safest. This should be a moment of reckoning for the entire football ecosystem, from manufacturers to coaches and parents. We owe it to young athletes to go beyond familiarity and focus on verified protection.' Certor Sports' continued innovation and leadership in protective design ensures that its helmets consistently rank among the safest in the game, an achievement made more meaningful by the raised bar. To learn more about VICIS helmets, visit and to learn more about Schutt helmets, visit Certor Sports, LLC, located in Plainfield, Indiana, is a domestic sporting goods manufacturer and parent company for leading protective and equipment brands, including VICIS, Schutt Sports, and TUCCI. From protection to performance, Certor Sports has developed emerging technologies used by MVP-caliber professionals to youth athletes competing each weekend. To learn more, visit
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Aaron Rodgers helmet: Steelers QB forced to switch following NFL ban
Aaron Rodgers helmet: Steelers QB forced to switch following NFL ban Show Caption Hide Caption Aaoron Rodgers on new chapter with Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Rodgers met with the media after his first practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers and explained why now was the right time to sign with the team. Sports Pulse All offseason long, everyone wanted to know what was on Aaron Rodgers' mind. Now that he officially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and participated in mandatory minicamp, the focus has shifted to what is on his head. As Rodgers enters his 21st season in the league with his third team, he'll be doing so with some new headgear when he takes the field. Rodgers has famously worn a Schutt helmet throughout his career, a look that had become synonymous with the four-time NFL MVP. After donning the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD model in 2024 with the New York Jets, the NFL banned that helmet earlier this offseason due to safety concerns. The quarterback is now left to seek some new protection for his head. Following his first minicamp practice on Tuesday, Rodgers made it clear he's not a fan. "I can't stand the helmet," Rodgers told reporters. "I've worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn't pass the safety standards." It appeared the quarterback elected to wear a Schutt F7 Pro model helmet on Tuesday, which passed the NFL's annual study. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted that Rodgers' preferred helmet was "not recommended" last season, so players were still allowed to use it. Following the annual helmet performance and safety study, the NFL and the NFL Players Association banned seven additional models this offseason. They are: Riddell Foundation Riddell Speed Icon Riddell Speed Riddell Revolution Speed Classic Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD Xenith Epic+ Xenith Epic It's not the first time Rodgers was forced to change his helmet. After beginning his career wearing a Brett Favre-style helmet, the quarterback switched following a pair of concussions. In 2019, Rodgers faced a similar situation when the NFL banned his preferred option. Then-Las Vegas Raiders' receiver Antonio Brown famously threatened to retire as a result of the decision but ultimately continued his career until 2021. Rodgers seemed to strike a different chord that offseason, saying that it "isn't difficult at all" to make the change. 'The way they make helmets these days, they do a great job of molding it to your head – the fit is spectacular,' Rodgers said via Yahoo Sports. 'I can go from this helmet to a VICIS helmet to a different helmet, and as far as the fit is concerned, you don't really notice the difference at all. It fits really nicely.' That year, Rodgers was choosing between a Schutt or VICIS model helmet, the latter being a company in which he had invested in 2018, according to Forbes. It's unclear if the quarterback will opt for one of the company's nine helmets that tested well in the NFL's study or stick with a Schutt model again. Luckily for him, there's plenty of time to find the right fit before kickoff in September.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers helmet: Steelers QB forced to switch following NFL ban
All offseason long, everyone wanted to know what was on Aaron Rodgers' mind. Now that he officially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and participated in mandatory minicamp, the focus has shifted to what is on his head. As Rodgers enters his 21st season in the league with his third team, he'll be doing so with some new headgear when he takes the field. Advertisement Rodgers has famously worn a Schutt helmet throughout his career, a look that had become synonymous with the four-time NFL MVP. After donning the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD model in 2024 with the New York Jets, the NFL banned that helmet earlier this offseason due to safety concerns. The quarterback is now left to seek some new protection for his head. Following his first minicamp practice on Tuesday, Rodgers made it clear he's not a fan. "I can't stand the helmet," Rodgers told reporters. "I've worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn't pass the safety standards." It appeared the quarterback elected to wear a Schutt F7 Pro model helmet on Tuesday, which passed the NFL's annual study. Advertisement NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted that Rodgers' preferred helmet was "not recommended" last season, so players were still allowed to use it. Following the annual helmet performance and safety study, the NFL and the NFL Players Association banned seven additional models this offseason. They are: Riddell Foundation Riddell Speed Icon Riddell Speed Riddell Revolution Speed Classic Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD Xenith Epic+ Xenith Epic It's not the first time Rodgers was forced to change his helmet. After beginning his career wearing a Brett Favre-style helmet, the quarterback switched following a pair of concussions. In 2019, Rodgers faced a similar situation when the NFL banned his preferred option. Then-Las Vegas Raiders' receiver Antonio Brown famously threatened to retire as a result of the decision but ultimately continued his career until 2021. Advertisement Rodgers seemed to strike a different chord that offseason, saying that it "isn't difficult at all" to make the change. 'The way they make helmets these days, they do a great job of molding it to your head – the fit is spectacular,' Rodgers said via Yahoo Sports. 'I can go from this helmet to a VICIS helmet to a different helmet, and as far as the fit is concerned, you don't really notice the difference at all. It fits really nicely.' That year, Rodgers was choosing between a Schutt or VICIS model helmet, the latter being a company in which he had invested in 2018, according to Forbes. It's unclear if the quarterback will opt for one of the company's nine helmets that tested well in the NFL's study or stick with a Schutt model again. Advertisement Luckily for him, there's plenty of time to find the right fit before kickoff in September. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers helmet: Steelers QB new model after NFL ban
