The NFL Needs Mandatory "New" Pro Cap Helmets - In Memory of Damon Janes, RIP

[BillsImpossible]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOI6HFK8fDc8Zb8YLNGFFe2pHQq64XxPXJI17Yc0JypkL1BptYlA

Mark Kelso was often called, "Gazoo," because of the odd helmet he wore as a Bills player.

"He was well known for wearing a "pro cap" on his helmet which was used to reduce the risk of concussions."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kelso

Steve Wallace also sported the same kind of, "pro cap," helmet.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtobOE3GUZnja-5VoHDNfmwGr3uintlzlr_cd9FP--ty-F-2NH

"Throughout his career, Wallace endured many concussions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion), and was known for wearing a styrofoam and rubber 1/2" cushioned helmet atop his normal helmet to reduce the impact."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wallace_(American_football)

Would Damon James be alive today if he was wearing a styrofoam and rubber half inch cushioned, "Pro Cap," atop his normal playing helmet?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1776791-high-school-football-player-dies-after-helmet-to-helmet-collision

Damon Janes, a 16-year-old junior running back for the Brocton (N.Y.) High School varsity football team, died Monday as a result of injuries suffered from a helmet-to-helmet hit on Friday night.

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I understand how NFL helmets are currently much better than they used to be. But why not add a, "Pro Cap," on top of what the NFL says is the best equipment available? I hate to say it, but I think the NFL could very well be risking players safety for aesthetic, TV purposes.

Does it all boil down to how the player looks? Yes, Mark Kelso's helmet stood out like a boner on the field, but if every player has the same helmet then nobody would look like they're wearing a giant circumcised penis on top of their head.

If every player was wearing the Pro Cap on top of their current NFL crown, I would not be surprised if head injuries dropped dramatically.

The Pro Cap helmet would also serve as a constant visual reminder to every player on the field - no helmet to helmet contact, that's why they're wearing, "the cap."

The NFL is probably very reluctant to impose such a mandatory, "cap," rule for legal reasons but they did just settle a giant lawsuit that had a lot to do with head injuries so hopefully that means they can now move forward.

The NFL needs to make a big statement, and the timing is right. The NFL needs to lead the game by setting the example.

Set the example for the future of football by imposing the, "Damon Janes Rule," mandating every NFL player wear a Pro Cap.


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

[Buffalo Thriller]

Looks like a penis.

[gebobs]

Mark Kelso was often called, "Gazoo," because of the odd helmet he wore as a Bills player.
And the fact that he lined up somewhere near the orbit of Pluto.

[OpIv37]

So, because one high school player out of hundreds of thousands died in a freak accident, the NFL should change their helmets? Please.

Look, I agree that concussions are a big issue and people need to take precautions from the NFL down to pop Warner, but let's be reasonable and look at science and data rather than just have a knee-jerk reaction to a tragedy.

[Thief]

IT wasn't helmet to helmet. What a bunch of hack journalism.

[Thief]

Also, you cannot even where that addition to a helmet in NYS High School football. It is against the rules.

[gebobs]

IT wasn't helmet to helmet. What a bunch of hack journalism.
What was it?

Anyway, what does it matter if it's helmet-to-helmet or helmet-to-anything. He died of a brain injury, right?

[Thief]

What was it?

Anyway, what does it matter if it's helmet-to-helmet or helmet-to-anything. He died of a brain injury, right?Speculation. It was likely an existing brain condition. There didn't appear to be any unusual helmet contact on that play, or during the game at all. He may have taken a knee to the helmet early in the game, and that is all.

[sukie]

I thought Kelso was dead with all this "in Memory of" stuff

[gebobs]

Speculation. It was likely an existing brain condition. There didn't appear to be any unusual helmet contact on that play, or during the game at all. He may have taken a knee to the helmet early in the game, and that is all.
Even if there was no "unusual helmet contact", that's part of the problem. It can be usual helmet contact that can cause injury, or at least nothing unusual that was noticed. There may be have been a pre-existing condition, but there's no reason to think it's likely. People get injured all the time in plays that are not unusual.

I played football for Canisius High back in the 70's. Admittedly, the helmets were relics from the 50's. Any kid today is wearing one that is Space Age technology compared to the hunks of plastic and leather we wore. I had one serious concussion in practice. Got knocked completely out. I don't even remember the hit. People that saw it said it looked like a tough hit, but were surprised when I didn't get up. Nothing unusual. My season was over. (And I never went back. CHS started soccer the next year and that was what I played in grade school.)

With all the concussions that players get and with the implications it has for the rest of their lives, I think it's a good idea to continue research into better equipment. And there are deep pockets that should fund it and would benefit from developments: The NFL and the NFLPA.

[Thief]

I am all for better helmets, I'm just saying this was a freak thing and likely combined with a preexisting condition. It just seems like the media is trying to demonize a defensive player, or blame someone. There is no one to blame. And, the reason the addition is illegal is likely because it is made by a different manufacturer than the helmet itself.

[OpIv37]

Even if there was no "unusual helmet contact", that's part of the problem. It can be usual helmet contact that can cause injury, or at least nothing unusual that was noticed. There may be have been a pre-existing condition, but there's no reason to think it's likely. People get injured all the time in plays that are not unusual.

I played football for Canisius High back in the 70's. Admittedly, the helmets were relics from the 50's. Any kid today is wearing one that is Space Age technology compared to the hunks of plastic and leather we wore. I had one serious concussion in practice. Got knocked completely out. I don't even remember the hit. People that saw it said it looked like a tough hit, but were surprised when I didn't get up. Nothing unusual. My season was over. (And I never went back. CHS started soccer the next year and that was what I played in grade school.)

With all the concussions that players get and with the implications it has for the rest of their lives, I think it's a good idea to continue research into better equipment. And there are deep pockets that should fund it and would benefit from developments: The NFL and the NFLPA.
No one is saying that they shouldn't be researching and developing better safety equipment like helmets.

We're just disagreeing with BillsImpossible, who seems to think making every pro player wear a pro cap helmet is a legitimate response to a freak accident with a high school player.

[JCBills]

Maybe when all women are required to drive bumper cars.

[gebobs]

No one is saying that they shouldn't be researching and developing better safety equipment like helmets.

We're just disagreeing with BillsImpossible, who seems to think making every pro player wear a pro cap helmet is a legitimate response to a freak accident with a high school player.
I'm just putting in my $0.02.

[TedMock]

Also, you cannot even where that addition to a helmet in NYS High School football. It is against the rules.

That's interesting. I wonder when they implemented that. I played against a kid in high school who wore that "pro cap." He played for Williamsville South in the early 90's. I'm not sure if he wore that all the time, or if it was a one game deal and was later told that it's not allowed.

[Thief]

That's interesting. I wonder when they implemented that. I played against a kid in high school who wore that "pro cap." He played for Williamsville South in the early 90's. I'm not sure if he wore that all the time, or if it was a one game deal and was later told that it's not allowed.It likely wasn't an issue back then. Kind of like a new designer drug that hasn't yet been deemed illegal.

[gebobs]

the reason the addition is illegal is likely because it is made by a different manufacturer than the helmet itself.
Hmmm...I'm not so sure about this. I don't know of many instances of when a state legislature gets into writing laws governing equipment. And if was good enough for Kelso, why the heck wouldn't it be good enough for high school?

Maybe the helmet manufacturer, typically Ridell, doesn't take to kindly to being told their product is deficient, which it is.

http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2013/03/18/NFL-Helmet-Safety-Technology-031813.aspx

Seems like that's the accusation.


NFL players can wear any helmet they want, but 69 percent of them chose Riddell last season. The first player to wear a ProCap in the NFL was Mark Kelso, who had suffered four concussions before he donned it, back in 1989.

“It prolonged my career for years,” Kelso told Bloomberg. “I took a lot of kidding—getting called ‘Bubblehead’ and ‘Gazoo’—because of how it looked, but I stopped getting concussions.”
Other players joined in, including San Francisco 49ers lineman Steve Wallace, who actually invested in the company because he believed in it so much. Then college players began to follow suit and research began to show that those who wore ProCap weren’t suffering concussions. Straus was invited to speak to the NFL’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee in 1995.

The Committee asked for further testing, which Straus did. ProCap passed the test so swimmingly, the lab founder where the test had been done said, “It is my opinion that the ProCap should be mandatory for all football players,” Bloomberg reports.

The NFL disagreed and “sent players a memo warning not only that the ‘standard helmet manufacturer’s warranty may be negated or modified by the use of the ProCap,’ but that wearers risked ‘catastrophic neck injuries, including possible death.’”

[YardRat]

Pro caps wouldn't have made any difference in the Janes situation, if what I have heard is anywhere near the truth.

And, yes, RIP to Damon and deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and community. A tragic accident by any definition.

[Meathead]

wasnt it a head injury, just guessing but it sounded like classic brain bruise that swelled so quickly theres nothing they could do to stop it. cant say i know enough to be sure but some injuries there isnt a helmet available that would make any diff

can you imagine how the other kids feels? holy hell

[The Popcorn]

I thought I read somewhere that the kid took a thigh to the head on a broken play. It was something that neither player could avoid. I just can't imagine how that opposing player feels.