Good helmets expensive necessity

In 1905, the new but wildly popular game of football in our country got so rough that President Theodore Roosevelt threatened to abolish the sport with an executive order.|

In 1905, the new but wildly popular game of football in our country got so rough that President Theodore Roosevelt threatened to abolish the sport with an executive order. This option by the Trust Buster came despite his enthusiasm for fitness, the out of doors and the physical demands on the gridiron.

Some 118 players died from football injuries in that year alone, and the sport came close to being put on the shelf by one big swipe of our leader’s big stick. Many players had suffered critical blows to the head when football helmets were nothing more than a hat of thin leather.

Football did eventually regroup enough to modify its equipment, rules and style of play, and the game was saved. I don’t remember the flying wedge, but helmets have become the focal point of improved safety since that time.

Today, we have come almost full circle with potential head injuries driving some prospective players away from the game because of the reaction of many parents to concussion symptoms. Their cautious concerns have become center stage, and the numbers are growing.

Only a few seasons ago, we defined many head injuries as players merely getting their “bell rung.” In a short time, however, and because of lingering effects of brain concussions, the CIF developed protocols after players are removed that keeps them off the field until the right responses to certain stimuli are given. The recovery process begins after first being seen by a physician.

Football rule makers have tried to limit head-to-head contact, but it still remains a major problem. Big hits are featured on highlight films. Collisions involving head contact are difficult to avoid.

As strapped as schools are these days when it comes to budgeting for sports programs, no expense is spared when it comes to selecting helmets for the protection of players. Key football decision makers at the three Petaluma high schools acknowledge the importance of selecting proper protective head gear. If an issue of cutting corners arises, safety of today’s players trumps everything else.

Fundraising programs for the purchase of new helmets are currently in place at St. Vincent and Petaluma, which is an addition to the regular football budget.

“It’s part of our operating budget, but we also take contributions,” said St. Vincent Athletic Director Sue Keller. “If a player buys his own helmet, we still have to send it through the certification process.”

Casa Grande has a very active booster group that addresses many of the additional expenses.

“Our biggest fundaiser is a pre-season golf tournament, and some of that money is targeted for helmets,” explained Gaucho Athletic Director Rick O’Brien.

“We get very good helmets,” assured Petaluma football coach Rick Krist. “The cost can be upward of $300 each. Riddell is known for good helmets, and we use them for equipment reconditioning as well.”

Trojan parents have teamed with commercial businesses to help in purchasing replacements.

Unfortunately for the schools, the shelf life of expensive football helmets can be short. Each unit has to be inspected and re-certified for the following season. Helmets are X-rayed and check for cracks. Those that don’t pass muster can’t be used again.

“They don’t even send them back any more,” said O’Brien.

There are companies that bid each spring to haul off all of the used helmets and other protective equipment for processing and repainting. Those that pass inspection get a seal of certification for another season of contact. In many instances, the interior padding is cleaned or completely replaced. Repainting, logos and striping can be left to the school if that is the kind of deal made.

“After 10 years, we have to discard them no matter what,” explained Keller.

A few schools do the striping and decal design on helmets themselves, and they become very creative. It’s a lot of work, but some money can be saved. Many don’t bother, and have all the work done by the reconditioning people.

Other school districts have experimented with an additional Gyro pad insert that offers even more protection as an insert to the regular helmet. This military-style device costs around $60.

I used to be contacted each summer by a group out of Mexico that would come in and offer to take all of our uncertified helmets. Several Mexican schools close to the border in Texas and California played tackle football without our many protective regulations. They were appreciative of our donations.

I thought it was benevolent of our school then to help them out as many of the helmets appeared OK to the naked eye. “No charge,” I thought. “Just get them out of here.” We needed the space in our football equipment room.

I would never consider such an agreement today. Current concern about head injuries could lead to lawsuits and the first thing a litigant would want to know is the origin of the helmet of a player who might have been seriously injured. The condition of usable helmets has become that important.

(George Haire is a former high school coach and athletic director. He is currently a sports correspondent for the Argus-Courier. He can be reached at johnie.jackson@arguscourier.com)

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