Jason Abels: Concussions And Football Helmets

Jason Abels, Head Trainer

While football helmet technology has improved dramatically in recent years, Jason Abels says there’s no helmet on the market that can always prevent concussions.

“Children put on a helmet and think they can lead with their heads and not have any problems,” he says. “Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Abels spends a considerable amount of time during the football season making sure every helmet fits properly.

At the start of football practice in early August, he brings in a Riddell helmet representative and the two of them check that players have properly fitted helmets. They blow air into every helmet to guarantee a safe fit and talk with the players about the importance of not using on-the-field techniques that can lead to concussions.