SVVSD signs on for Broncos helmet program

The Denver Broncos Foundation is giving Niwot High School (NHS) football players a major equipment upgrade this year, at no cost to the school or families.

As part of a groundbreaking initiative called "All In, All Covered," the Broncos Foundation is donating 15,516 top-of-the-line Riddell Axiom helmets to high school football programs across Colorado over the next four years. As of Tuesday, April 1, the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) schools will be participating in this $12 million philanthropic effort to improve safety and access in prep football.

The initiative was first announced on Jan. 28 by the Broncos Foundation in partnership with Riddell and the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). The helmet giveaway initiative aims to break down barriers to participation in football, particularly around equipment cost and safety.

The Axiom helmets being distributed are the same model used by several NFL players and feature cutting-edge technology, including personalized fit based on 3D imaging and an advanced impact protection system.

When the program was introduced, it sparked concern in many of Colorado's largest school districts, including SVVSD, due to the helmet's built-in impact tracking system. According to Riddell's website, the InSite smart helmet technology "collects and transmits head impact data from the field in real-time" and provides participating programs with analytic reports about their players. The technology also sends de-identified data directly to Riddell to use for product development and enhancements.

While proponents say this technology is critical to improving player safety and understanding injury risk, some districts raised flags about data privacy and liability. As Niwot High School Athletic Director and CHSAA Board of Directors member Joe Brown explained, many districts were hesitant to implement the data collection feature due to privacy concerns.

"Because of the way state law is written, a lot of school district attorneys interpreted the data tracking as a violation of student data privacy," Brown said. "Even though the information is initially de-identified, the helmets are customized and issued to specific players, making it easy to re-identify the data."

Once school and district leaders made their concerns clear, CHSAA worked with the Broncos Foundation and Riddell to revise the program. Now, schools can opt into the helmet initiative without participating in the data collection portion. "They were able to reach an agreement where you can have the sensors and the data completely removed and still actively participate," Brown said. "That was a game-changer."

With the data component off the table, St. Vrain signed on. Last week, the district announced its participation and began inviting interested families to opt in. At NHS, students who want to use the Axiom helmet can fill out a form to be entered into a random lottery. By the end of the month, 17 Cougar football players will be selected to be custom-fit for the Axiom helmet.

"The ratings for the SpeedFlex, which we currently use, and the Axiom helmet are virtually the same," Brown said. "They're both five-star rated and were used in the Super Bowl. We feel very comfortable with the safety of both."

That said, the Axiom retails for nearly double the cost of a SpeedFlex, $989.99 compared to $499.99, according to Riddell's catalogue, making the donation all the more significant for programs across the state.

The helmets provided through the initiative will be used for up to 10 years, which is the standard safety certification period for football helmets. Brown said the school buys new helmets every year to replace old ones. By acquiring these helmets through the program, the school has an opportunity to repurpose some of those funds to other areas and perhaps purchase other quality equipment.

"Once we get through the initial grouping of helmets, we will continue to start buying helmets every few years so that we don't reach a point in year 11 where we have to buy 17 new helmets at once," Brown said.

NHS is expected to receive 68 helmets in total, with distribution taking place over four years. Over time, Brown expects Niwot will have enough helmets in circulation that students can choose between a SpeedFlex or an Axiom based on personal preference.

Despite the technical capabilities of the Axiom helmet, Brown emphasized that SVVSD remains confident in its existing concussion protocols, including staff certifications and sideline medical support.

"We feel that we've prepared our staff and kids to be in the safest environment possible," he said. "The data wasn't necessarily going to be the point that made it safer, it's the quality of the helmets that we use."

Brown also acknowledged the Broncos Foundation's responsiveness to district concerns. "The Broncos Foundation has been incredibly gracious and awesome in this process," he said. "Their whole purpose here is to get this equipment in the hands of kids, and when we said the data was a dealbreaker, they just got rid of it."

"All In, All Covered" is the first statewide helmet donation initiative of its kind, setting a new precedent for community investment in youth sports safety.