NFL cracks down on helmet safety amid CTE fears and BANS six models ahead of next season... but experts warn that NO protective headgear can prevent concussions entirely

The NFL and NFLPA continue to update league standards on helmets in the ongoing battle against the degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), despite experts' skepticism over the effectiveness of new headgear technology.

Overall, a record 12 new helmet models were approved by the NFL and the players' union for the 2024 season. Five of the new helmets tested better than any helmet ever worn in the league. The NFL, in collaboration with the NFLPA, annually conducts laboratory testing performed by jointly appointed biomechanical experts to evaluate which helmets best reduce head impact severity.

Meanwhile, experts have long maintained that helmets cannot prevent concussions and other serious head trauma because they're incapable of stopping the brain from moving around violently within the skull. According to the Center for Disease Control, 'there is no 'concussion-proof' helmet.'

'Helmets were designed to prevent skull fractures, and they're remarkably good at doing that,' Boston University's Lee E. Goldstein, MD, PhD, told DailyMail.com in 2019. 'What they don't do, no matter how you design them, is to prevent hits to the head.'

Despite the skepticism from CTE experts, the NFL continues to tout its progress in helmet technology.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce puts on his helmet during warmups at Super Bowl LVIII

Eight new position-specific helmets for quarterbacks and linemen have been approved by the league and union, all of which are manufactured by Riddell (pictured)

Eight new position-specific helmets for quarterbacks and linemen have been approved by the league and union, all of which are manufactured by Riddell.

Quarterbacks now have three choices of helmets specifically designed for their position to help reduce impact that can cause concussions, including the Vicis Zero2 Matrix QB introduced last year. The new models are Riddell's SpeedFlex Precision QB and the Axiom 3D QB.

The Vicis Zero2-R Trench for offensive and defensive linemen was the first position-specific helmet introduced in 2022.

'The pace of innovation is really about as high as we've ever seen,' NFL executive Jeff Miller told The Associated Press.

Miller, the league's executive vice president overseeing player health and safety, said providing players with the best possible protection is a major priority and more positions should have specific helmets in the coming years.

A detailed view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet prior to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas 

The new Riddell Axiom 3D helmet earned the highest rating from the NFL and NFLPA's lab testing.

Riddell designed three models, one for all positions that was ranked No. 1, one for QBs and one for linemen.

Earlier this month, Riddell received a $400 million investment from BC Partners in a deal aimed at giving the manufacturer’s parent company, Fenway Sports Group, a massive payout. Bloomberg reported that $300 million of the proceeds were “used to return capital to shareholders” while the remainder went to paying ‘pay off existing debt.” 

Axiom is a comprehensive protection system from Riddell that launched in 2022. Axiom's Tru-Fit System provides a personalized fit for each player using Riddell's scanning app, which captures a 3D image of an athlete's head for an individualized build of 'energy-managing interior padding with unique thickness, shapes, and contours that provide comfort and protection benefits.'

Recent brain scans of the Bills' Joe DeLamielleure, who was diagnosed with CTE

Riddell says 50 percent of NFL players wear a Precision-Fit helmet and approximately 77 percent wear Riddell models. Another 10% wear some form of customizable Riddell helmets, including Axiom.

'Getting a football helmet certified and on the field is no easy feat in and of itself,' said Thad Ide, Riddell's executive VP of research and development. 'We put a lot of effort into doing our very best to make sure that the helmet performed very well with respect to the ratings and rankings that the NFL publishes. The Axiom 3D uses printed lattice materials as its energy managing layer, which is how we were able to tune it kind of very specifically for the NFL laboratory tests and the position-specific variants of those tests.'

The results of the lab tests are displayed in each team's locker room. For the first time, there are four total helmet posters in circulation: one for helmets available for use by players at all positions, and three additional posters that reflect helmet performance in testing specific to quarterbacks, offensive linemen, and defensive linemen.

The new Vicis Zero2 Matrix ID QB helmet ranked first for its position. The new Xenith Orbit Pro came in first for both offensive linemen and defensive linemen.

Six helmets that initially ranked among the top-performing when first introduced have been prohibited for the 2024 season.