Eagles football team outfitted with safest helmets on the market
Each player received a new Vicis Zero1 helmet, the top-rated helmet designed to reduce high-impact force.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School has student athlete safety at the forefront of its football program. When the Eagles hit the field Friday night against Charlotte Country Day School, every Rabun Gap player will wear the top-rated helmet on the market designed to reduce high-impact force and prevent concussions.
Every varsity football player has been outfitted with a Zero1 helmet, developed by the Seattle-based company VICIS. The Zero1 helmet was released in 2017 and features the latest technology designed to mitigate collisions from multiple directions. It is made of multiple layers under a pliable outer shell. The development of the Zero1 is a culmination of multiple years of research by some of the world’s leading athletes, engineers, and neurosurgeons. VICIS was co-founded by neurosurgeon Samuel Browd who was concerned about the rise in head injuries associated with playing football.
“This is a giant step for our athletic department when it comes to safety,” said Athletic Director Dale Earnhardt. “We are the first school in our conference to adopt the VICIS helmet technology and are among a small number of high schools in the nation to outfit an entire team.”
In 2018, the Zero1 outperformed all other football helmets on the market in the Virginia Tech helmet rating and NFL/NFLPA laboratory testing. Almost all NFL teams are using VICIS helmets and they are popular among college programs around the U.S.
“Performance on the field is important, but keeping our athletes healthy and safe is Rabun Gap’s top priority. We are thrilled to partner with VICIS to help protect our players.” said Head of School Dr. Anthony Sgro.
VICIS was on campus earlier this season to custom-fit helmets for each player. The helmets will be debuted in Friday night’s away game against Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, NC.
“I am very thankful that Rabun Gap values our football program and invested in the safest helmets for our players,” said Head Football Coach Shawn Bryson. “These are the same type of helmets worn by the pros. This new level of protection is a game changer for our program.”
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
