Schutt, VICIS Again Dominate NFL/NFLPA’s Helmet Performance Testing Rankings

Certor Sports brands top every position-specific category; New Schutt F7 Pro joins VICIS ZERO2 Matrix ID and VICIS ZERO2 in Top 5 of all tested helmets

PLAINFIELD, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) released the annual Helmet Laboratory Testing Performance Results, and Certor Sports, parent company of Schutt and VICIS, was once again the top-performing helmet manufacturer for NFL player protection.

Of the 10 helmets recommended for use in the NFL this year, three of the Top 5 overall are made by Certor Sports: VICIS ZERO2 MATRIX ID, Schutt F7 Pro, and VICIS ZERO2.

VICIS also rated first in every position-specific category — quarterback, offensive line and defensive line. The VICIS ZERO2 TRENCH, the first position-specific helmet ever approved in NFL history, once again claimed the top spot in both the offensive line and defensive line rankings.

“At Schutt and VICIS, everything begins with one question: how do we better protect the athletes who trust us?” said Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Certor Sports. “Leading every major position specific category, building the most decorated helmet portfolio in the game, and seeing the Schutt F7 Pro rapidly adopted across the NFL while ranking among the league’s safest helmets is a clear validation of that commitment.”

While the NFL/NFLPA rankings spotlight performance at the highest level of the game, Certor Sports is equally focused on bringing that same standard of protection to every athlete who straps on a helmet.

Earlier this year, Certor Sports was named an Official Corporate Champion of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the NFHS's highest level of corporate partnership. Through this multi-year alliance, Certor Sports is collaborating with the NFHS to equip coaches, administrators, officials and student-athletes across nearly 20,000 high schools and more than 12 million activity participants with resources that advance safety, education and performance in education-based athletics.

Certor Sports was also just named a partner of USA Football, the sport's national governing body, supporting coach education, player development and youth safety initiatives that help introduce the game the right way, with modern technique, trained coaches and the most rigorously tested equipment available. Together, the NFHS and USA Football partnerships extend the same protection philosophy that powers VICIS and Schutt's NFL-leading helmets into the youth and high school game, where the vast majority of football is played.

"Top-ranked protection should not stop at the NFL sideline," Erspamer said. "Whether it is an NFL quarterback wearing a VICIS ZERO2, a high school wide receiver in a Schutt F7 AiR, or a 12-year-old putting on their first Schutt F7 AiR Youth, every athlete deserves access to the best protection available. Our partnerships with the NFHS and USA Football, combined with our leadership in the NFL’s most rigorous helmet testing, position Certor Sports as the only portfolio delivering top-rated protection from youth football through the highest level of the game."

To learn more about all Schutt and VICIS helmets, visit certorsports.com.

ABOUT CERTOR SPORTS

Certor Sports specializes in manufacturing products under the VICIS, Schutt, and TUCCI brands. As a premier provider of athletic protective gear and high-performance apparel, Certor Sports is committed to safeguarding athletes with cutting-edge solutions. With a strong emphasis on quality and performance, Certor Sports has established itself as a trusted leader in athletic protection. To learn more about Certor Sports, visit certorsports.com.