Anyone know what happened to foam helmet covers?

[Reverend Conehead]

I'm not sure if they were called that, but in the 90s for a while some players would cover their helmet with a cushion or foam piece that matched the helmet in color, design, logo, etc. These things were supposed to prevent concussions. Anyone know what happened to these things? You don't see them anymore. Were they not effective?

 

[Everson24]

They were called ProCap and made famous by Bills safety Mark Kelso. I heard that Riddell opposed them because it made their equipment appear inferior. I think if every player had to wear one there would be fewer concussions. By the way, Troy Aikman was quoted as saying that he would never wear one because they looked ridiculous.
http://users.stargate.net/~aestraus/procap.html

 

[Hoss]

I'm not sure if they were called that, but in the 90s for a while some players would cover their helmet with a cushion or foam piece that matched the helmet in color, design, logo, etc. These things were supposed to prevent concussions. Anyone know what happened to these things? You don't see them anymore. Were they not effective?

If I remember they quit using them because they were big and they were concerned about neck injuries from them getting caught up on players during tackles.
They also made the players look like bobble heads so I'm sure that also had something to do with their demise.

 

[HeavyBarrel]

I can't speak for anyone else but if you gave me a bigger, more padded helmet to wear, I am just gonna be tempted to use it as a "weapon" Make the helmets smaller and players won't be as inclined to use the helmet to "butt" "ram" or "spear" an opposing player, at least I wouldn't....Make em' out of Styrofoam, or carbon fiber or whatever, slap a logo and a facemask on it (cause screws holds well in Styrofoam LOL) and call it good.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Thanks. Now that I know the name of it, I was able to find an article about it:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...g-concussion-seen-quashed-by-nfl-riddell.html

Maybe given the concussion problems that have been an issue the league should look at ProCap again. At the very least they should test it to know if its claims are true. The manufacturer (according to the article) claims that a hit has 30% less impact with it.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Thanks. Now that I know the name of it, I was able to find an article about it:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...g-concussion-seen-quashed-by-nfl-riddell.html

Maybe given the concussion problems that have been an issue the league should look at ProCap again. At the very least they should test it to know if its claims are true. The manufacturer (according to the article) claims that a hit has 30% less impact with it.

What about the new helmets? I thought they were engineered to reduce the risk as well

 

[UDcowboysfan]

Your head is an egg, if shaken enough the yolk will break regardless if the shell is still intact.

No helmet or foam is going to completely reduce concussions.

 

[Rack]

Your head is an egg, if shaken enough the yolk will break regardless if the shell is still intact.

No helmet or foam is going to completely reduce concussions.

Completely? No.

But that doesn't mean 30% less shock absorbed isn't worth it.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Completely? No.

But that doesn't mean 30% less shock absorbed isn't worth it.

Exactly. There's no way to end concussions, but if something can reduce them without ruining the game, it's worth a look IMO.

 

[Sarge]

They stopped wearing them because everyone looked like Kazoo



(Flintstones)

 

[Tobal]

Steve Wallace is the guy I remember wearing them

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Thanks. Now that I know the name of it, I was able to find an article about it:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...g-concussion-seen-quashed-by-nfl-riddell.html

Maybe given the concussion problems that have been an issue the league should look at ProCap again. At the very least they should test it to know if its claims are true. The manufacturer (according to the article) claims that a hit has 30% less impact with it.

Pretty damning story right there.

You can almost see how there could be some concern about two helmets "sticking" long enough to twist necks -- even though that claim wasn't scientifically validated -- but there's no reason you couldn't put a harder, more slippery skin over the foam shell.

And the players who wore the ProCaps seemed to be convinced the product helped.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

aren't those the ones that were blamed for causing neck injuries? As the game wore on and the players grew more tired, they got heavier and caused the players to not use proper technique causing neck injuries.

 

[links18]

Exactly. There's no way to end concussions .

Stop playing football?