If there’s a pivotal role in the offensive roster, it’s definitely the tight ends. Throughout the history of the NFL, there has been no shortage of athletes from this respective position, retiring due to injury, with one of the most memorable ones being Rob Gronkowski. Nonetheless, being crucial to a player’s safety, a helmet can change the entire game, and protect the athlete beyond measure. And Travis Kelce’s newest edition of the helmet certainly takes the cake.
Much like his loyalty to the Chiefs, the star TE stuck with his trusty Schutt Air XP helmet for a solid 8 seasons. But here’s the thing, not all versions of this helmet have the highest safety rating, which can be a concern. So, it’s no surprise that Kelce decided to make a change.
Travis Kelce’s new helmet is a list-topper
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Right after winning his first Super Bowl, Travis Kelce made a big upgrade to his helmet. He switched to the Schutt F7, which is pretty unique. It’s one of the very few helmets that got a perfect 5/5 rating on the Virginia Tech Helmet rating scale. One can tell it’s different from most helmets because it has visible plates on top.
According to an article on Whatproswear, this helmet is super light, and it has “Tektonic Plates” on top. These plates can move on their own in all directions compared to the rest of the helmet to help distribute the force upon impact. They’ve also got blue TPU cushioning under these plates.
Furthermore, there’s an underlayer called a radiant diffusion system liner that also helps protect against rotational forces. The brain behind this high-tech helmet is Michael Princip, an industrial engineer who spent years perfecting it.
It took 6 years to perfect the helmet
Michael Princip came up with the idea for this helmet back in 2011, and later he teamed up with Schutt to make it happen. The final product hit the market in 2017. He was the lead designer, and the main focus was on making it safer to reduce concussions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What’s cool about this helmet is that it has five different panels that you can mix and match. So if something breaks or you need a different setup, one can easily swap them out. It’s a game-changer because it has two extra plates on the outside, one on top and one on the back of your head. An athlete can even use it without those plates to attach cameras on top during practice.
As for the price, you can find the Schutt F7 helmet for anywhere between $500 to $1000, depending on where you get it and if there are any special deals going on.
This helmet has been around for a while now and it’s a big step up from the older models. Athletes all across the league have been using it, and so far, the reviews have been pretty positive. Do you want to try the helmet on? Share your thoughts!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Travis Kelce’s locked in pictures with Megan Thee Stallion heats up the internet with buzzing rumors
Challenge Your Sports Knowledge!
Solve the puzzle and prove your knowledge of iconic players, terms, and moments.