What's the deal with Dillon Gabriel's helmet?
What's the deal with Dillon Gabriel's helmet?
Oklahoma started spring camp on Tuesday, marking a new era for the program with Dillon Gabriel as the team’s starting quarterback.
April 23’s spring game will provide the public with its first true look at the Central Florida transfer, but a few photos of Gabriel from Tuesday’s opening practice caught the attention of social media.
The main reason was the helmet Gabriel sported, which features a unique design.
You might be asking … why tf is he wearing that?
Good question.
The helmet is manufactured by Riddell and was announced earlier this year. The official name for the lid is Riddell Axiom™.
While the design of the helmet might not be aesthetically pleasing to everyone, it does serve a function. The Riddell Axiom, which runs for about $750 per helmet, was designed to further reduce head injuries and implements “smart helmet technology” to perfectly fit each player.
Riddell Axiom uses 3D imaging to achieve this. Teams can scan a player’s head using an app developed by Riddell. Using those measurements, players get a helmet shell and interior liner pads that more accurately fit them.
Riddell Axiom also offers a wider view of the field with its redesigned face mask. Notice there’s no bars on the helmet higher than the player’s nose.
Seeing more of the action could certainly help players avoid unwanted collisions, but the helmet aims to take out a lot of the thinking. Riddell Axiom is equipped with the manufacturer's InSite impact response system, which provides teams with detailed reports of head impact exposure for each player wearing the helmet.
Overall, the helmet strives to make the game safer for players and help teams better track and understand head injuries.
You are likely to see the helmets plenty this fall, which is when Riddell plans to fully roll out the Varsity model. Youth versions are on the way as well.