BREAKING NEWS: Colorado High School Football Helmets Officially Enter Production with Groundbreaking Partnership Between Riddell and Peyton Manning
In a historic collaboration aimed at enhancing the safety and performance of high school football players in Colorado, Carrie Walton Penner, owner and foundation board chair of the Colorado Football Foundation, alongside Riddell Sports ambassador Peyton Manning, visited the Riddell Factory in Ohio today to witness the production of the first ever Colorado high school football helmets. The partnership between the Colorado Football Foundation and Riddell, a leading manufacturer of football helmets, marks a significant step forward in providing state-of-the-art protective gear to young athletes across the state.
The new helmets, dubbed ALL IN. ALL COVERED., are designed to offer the latest in concussion protection technology, a major focus in the world of youth sports as the risks of head injuries become increasingly understood. The helmets will be distributed to high schools across Colorado as part of a groundbreaking initiative that aims to improve safety standards and make football a safer sport for young players.
Today’s event was attended by some of the biggest names in sports and football safety, including the legendary former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, who has long been a vocal advocate for the advancement of player safety, particularly in high school and youth football. The presence of Manning, known for his philanthropic efforts and leadership in various initiatives, underscored the importance of the ALL IN. ALL COVERED. initiative and the role of professional athletes in advocating for safety in youth sports.
The Vision Behind the Initiative
The collaboration between Carrie Walton Penner, the Colorado Football Foundation, and Riddell Sports is the result of years of planning and effort to provide Colorado’s high school football programs with the best possible equipment to protect athletes on the field. The Colorado Football Foundation was created to support the development of youth and high school football programs throughout the state, with a particular emphasis on safety, education, and community engagement. Walton Penner, who serves as the board chair, has been a staunch supporter of making football safer for young athletes.
“I’m incredibly proud to see this project come to fruition,” said Carrie Walton Penner in a statement. “As someone who believes deeply in the power of sports to build community and empower young people, it is important that we prioritize the safety of the athletes who are giving their all on the field. This partnership with Riddell and Peyton Manning allows us to take a major step toward improving the future of high school football in Colorado.”
Riddell Sports, one of the leading manufacturers of football helmets and equipment, has been at the forefront of developing advanced technology designed to reduce head injuries. The company’s SpeedFlex helmet, widely regarded as one of the safest in the world, is known for its ability to absorb and redistribute impact forces, minimizing the risk of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.
With the new ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmets, Riddell is applying its cutting-edge technology to protect the next generation of football players. By outfitting Colorado high school teams with the latest in helmet technology, the Colorado Football Foundation and Riddell are setting a new standard for safety in the sport.
Peyton Manning’s Role in Promoting Football Safety
The involvement of Peyton Manning in this project is no coincidence. The former NFL star and two-time Super Bowl champion has been an advocate for player safety throughout his career, and since his retirement, he has continued to use his platform to push for safer playing conditions at all levels of football. Manning’s personal connection to the cause is deeply rooted in his own experiences on the field, where he has seen firsthand the impact of head injuries.
At the Riddell Factory today, Manning shared his thoughts on the importance of the new helmet initiative:
“As someone who played the game for over two decades, I understand the risks that come with football, and I also understand that we have the responsibility to make the game as safe as possible for the next generation of players,” Manning said. “This partnership with Riddell and the Colorado Football Foundation is a big step forward. It’s a commitment to our kids, our coaches, and our communities that we are going to do everything we can to protect them on the field.”
Manning, who has spent much of his post-NFL career promoting concussion awareness and the importance of helmet technology, was visibly excited about the new helmets.
“It’s all about providing the best tools for players to succeed while also ensuring their safety,” he added. “The ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmets are going to give high school players in Colorado the protection they need, and I’m proud to be a part of this project.”
The Helmets: Safety Meets Performance
The ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmets are designed to provide high-performance protection while remaining comfortable and lightweight. One of the standout features of the helmet is its advanced impact protection technology, which includes a multi-layer foam system that absorbs and disperses energy more effectively upon impact. This design helps to reduce the forces transmitted to the head, lowering the risk of concussions and other injuries.
In addition to its concussion-reducing technology, the ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmet is also designed with improved fit and ventilation systems to enhance comfort during play. The helmet is equipped with a custom-fit system that can be adjusted to fit the player’s head securely, ensuring maximum protection while minimizing discomfort. The goal is to provide athletes with a helmet that they will feel confident wearing, knowing it has been engineered for optimal safety.
As Riddell’s President, Russ Peddie, emphasized during the tour, “When it comes to protecting players, it’s not just about having the latest technology; it’s about having the right technology that can make a real difference in player safety. The ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmet is a direct result of our partnership with the Colorado Football Foundation and their dedication to making the game safer for young athletes.”
The Impact on Colorado High School Football
The introduction of the ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmet is expected to have a far-reaching impact on high school football in Colorado, which has long been known for its passionate football culture. The new helmets will be distributed to high schools across the state, where they will be used by thousands of players, from freshmen to seniors, giving them access to the latest in football safety technology.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the overall safety standards of high school sports in Colorado, ensuring that athletes have the tools they need to play the game safely and effectively. The Colorado Football Foundation has been vocal about its mission to protect young athletes, and today’s unveiling of the helmets is a major milestone in that mission.
“The safety of our athletes is our number one priority,” said Matt West, Executive Director of the Colorado Football Foundation. “We’re excited to see these helmets make their way to schools across the state, and we believe that this partnership with Riddell and Peyton Manning will help us make football a safer and more enjoyable sport for generations to come.”
What’s Next: The Future of the Partnership
While today’s event marks the official production of the ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmets, it is only the beginning of what promises to be a long-lasting partnership between the Colorado Football Foundation, Riddell, and Peyton Manning. The goal is not just to improve player safety in Colorado, but to set a standard that other states and organizations can follow.
Looking ahead, the partnership plans to expand its reach beyond Colorado, with future initiatives aimed at making the ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmets available to high school players across the country. As Carrie Walton Penner said, “This is just the beginning. We want to ensure that every player, in every community, has access to the best protection available.”
With the support of Peyton Manning, Riddell, and the Colorado Football Foundation, this project has the potential to revolutionize player safety in high school football, one helmet at a time.
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