The following is an unedited memo from Interim Fort Worth Superintendent Patricia A. Linares.
To: Mr. Norman Robbins, President
Members of the Board of Education
From: Patricia A. Linares, Ph.D.
Date: September 5, 2014
Subject: Riddell VSR-4 Football Helmets
Recent TV news reports have focused on the safety of football helmets being used in high school and middle school competition. The Fort Worth ISD is just one of many districts, locally and nationally, that have been featured in stories. These stories have been tied to an evaluation done by Virginia Tech University and is airing in almost every large TV market in the nation. Based on the “Virginia Tech Adult Helmet Ratings – May, 2014”, Fort Worth ISD helmets currently being used are all rated as 4 or 5 stars (highest).
While we have every confidence in the safety of the helmets that have been used in our program, we have removed and replaced one particular helmet, the Riddell VSR-4 of which concern was raised. We have done this in an abundance of caution and so that it is understood that we put the safety of our children first.
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To put this in perspective, many professional football players wear the Riddell VSR-4 – including, according to news reports, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Phillip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers.
However, we have removed all Riddell VSR-4 helmets from use and from our inventory, with newer models being used exclusively at this point. As of this week, all of our schools use helmets that have been awarded a 4 or 5 stars rating.
Among the 15 high school programs, there were only 8 VSR-4 helmets being used by student athletes, and 5 in inventory not being used, for a total of 13 district-wide. At the middle school level, no VSR-4 helmets were being used, with a total of 22 in inventory among the 20 programs. More than 2,400 students are playing football.
All VSR-4 helmets have been collected and secured by the head coaches. Athletic Department personnel will collect them and discard them at the Athletic Department office.
And, to further illustrate the degree to which we insist on safety measures in the use of our equipment, I’d like to share some points of information that you may find helpful if you receive questions about the District’s policy.
- All football helmets in the Fort Worth ISD are inspected annually by a licensed inspector.
- Each and every football helmet we use is sent in for safety testing, reconditioning, and recertification at least every other year or even annually, depending on the assessment at the yearly certification.
- Helmets that do not pass inspection or certification are removed from the school and discarded.
- No helmet in inventory is used more than 10 seasons or years, after which they are discarded.
- FWISD coaches and students are versed on helmet use, proper sizing and how to report suspected defects or concerns.
Additionally, there have been no recall notices or warnings sent from the licensed inspectors, NOCSAE (the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) or the helmet manufacturer concerning the Riddell VSR-4.
However, in an abundance of caution and for the safety of our children, we will insure that each and every helmet used in our district will be of a high standard.
