VICIS, which was sold to Schutt in 2020, is “making waves” as all 32 NFL teams “have ordered VICIS helmets” going into the 2023 season, according to Tashan Reed of THE ATHLETIC. The company’s helmets are “used from the youth football ranks all the way up to the pros.” VICIS has the “five highest-performing helmets when it comes to reducing the severity of head impacts.” The “most unique” feature of VICIS’ soft-shell helmets is the “local deformation,” which means that the area where impact “occurs actually absorbs hits.” With traditional hard-shell helmets, the “entire helmet structure moves when there’s a collision.” No helmet can “completely prevent concussions,” but VICIS is “one of the industry leaders when it comes to reducing head injuries.” The company “launched its quarterback helmet this April.” Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is among the players who have “switched to it in an effort to lessen the likelihood of concussions.” VICIS intends to “continue developing helmets for specific positions.” That is “dependent on the NFL, though,” which is “working on ways to generate the necessary data.” An adjustment this year “will be the use of mouthpieces capable of measuring player acceleration” (THE ATHLETIC, 8/28).
