Good morning, Broncos Country!

In their largest philanthropic investment ever, the Denver Broncos Foundation announced it is going to give all 277 high school football teams in the state the new Riddell Axiom smart helmets at no cost.

“This being the largest philanthropic investment in Broncos’ history…I just want that to sink in for you,” said Colorado High School Activities Association commissioner Mike Krueger, noting how many ways the Foundation has already impacted Broncos Country in a major way.

Krueger emphasized that it’s not just handing kids some new equipment. It’s giving them the best of the best with performance and health in mind.

“I think it goes without saying that we’re excited. I think that’s an understatement, but I think that word would only be surpassed by the word ‘gratefulness.’ We’re very grateful for this opportunity and the tools that come along with it,” Krueger added. “I hope you understand that this is more than just handing schools a football helmet.”

In partnership with Riddell and the Colorado High School Activities Association, the Foundation’s four-year initiative, ALL IN. ALL COVERED, will distribute more than 15,000 helmets to every high school tackle football team in Colorado.

Allie Engelken, vice president of community impact and executive director for the foundation, noted that the goal from the outset was to give every high school player the opportunity to have this helmet.

“If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right,” Engelken said. “We’re going to do it the right way the first time in the first year. So every single school is receiving helmets this year, and they’ll receive 25 percent of their helmets this year, and then each year of the four-year program.”

Krueger praised the helmet for its ability to protect an athlete’s health while also incorporating the latest technology.

“It’s the gold-standard helmet,” Krueger said, noting that the InSite technology can measure contact points and contact levels, which can be a teaching tool for coaches.

“They can take that information, go back to their practices and say, ‘How can we be better at coaching this technique or making sure we’re getting our heads up when we tackle? Are body positions correct?’” he added. “That’s information that is hard to come by and the technology is still developing but Riddell has done such a great job with it. That becomes a tool for coaches that’s going to benefit athletes.”

Engelken pointed out that each helmet has five-sensor point technology as well as the TRU-FIT technology, allowing a custom fit to each student-athlete’s head.

“It’s actually created for that athlete specifically at the Riddell factory,” Engelken said, adding that the helmets do not utilize foam or air adjustments. “Our kids will have the opportunity to have the safest and best fit every single time they put their helmets on. Never having to wonder if the change of altitude or elevation is going to impact the fit.”

The Axiom uses 3D imaging of each athlete’s head to create a personalized fit and protection system to improve impact response. Additional features include multiple flex panels, new face mask styles to maximize field of view, integrated visor and Cam-Loc chin strap.

More importantly to Krueger is the impact this helmet can have on Colorado high school football and athletic programs overall.

“I can tell you this: There are not a lot of athletic directors walking around their high schools wondering what they’re going to do with all the extra money they have,” he said noting the high cost of helmets and football equipment that teams won’t have to worry about now.

“This is going to really resonate for athletic budgets and school budgets across the board in all parts of our state,” Krueger added. “This is really going to have a significant impact.”

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