[vincesanity82]

When he's not talking about Vince Young, ESPN analyst and former NFL fullback Merril Hoge spends a lot of his time talking about concussions, which drove him out of football in 1994.

I spoke with Hoge Thursday at ESPN's Super Bowl compound in Scottsdale, and he said that he still, 13 years after walking away from the game, has the telltale post-concussion symptoms of sensitivity to light and headaches, but that it's nowhere near as bad as it was when he left the game, and that overall he feels thankful that he's still mentally healthy at age 43.

Hoge said that he only suffered a handful of concussions as a player, but that the real problem isn't the total number of concussions, it's the severity, and it's players suffering second concussions before having time to heal from their first. And Hoge has taken an active role in the NFL's efforts to prevent concussions.

"Are we doing enough? Probably not. But we're getting there," Hoge said.


An important step toward reducing the severity of concussions in football is improving helmet technology, and Hoge is one of several people I've spoken with this week who has mentioned the helmet called the ION 4D that four players on the Giants will wear in the Super Bowl. According to the company that makes it, Schutt Sports, the helmet features a unique design that reduces the risk of concussions.

If you look closely at the helmets of the four players on the Giants, offensive linemen David Diehl, Grey Ruegamer and Guy Whimper and long snapper Jay Alford, you'll notice that their helmet looks different than those of their teammates. The helmet may also be safer, and there may come a time when all players wear it.

Can a New Helmet Reduce Concussions? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

[Lefty Noob]

Well, it's worth a shot. The NFL has to try and do something to protect these guys, cause the shots are just getting more and more wicked.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Well, it's worth a shot. The NFL has to try and do something to protect these guys, cause the shots are just getting more and more wicked.

There is no proof this thing will work but on the other hand it can't really hurt anything can it.

[Bette]

I hope it helps. Sooner or later they will get it perfected and have the answer.

[Seahawker 562]

they never said whats different about it

Saw this blog and wanted to answer the question about what's different. On their website they cite the following features:

- thermoplastic urethane cushioning - TPU - absorbs up to 55% more impact in game-like conditions that the Riddell Revolution

- Energy Wedge faceguard - is integrated directly into the helmet shell and acts as a shock absorber for the helmet, absorbing 15% more force from impact on the faceguard

Just a couple o' things.