Detroit-Made Xenith Football Helmets Deemed Safest By The NFL
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
Player safety in the NFL has become a hot-button topic lately, leading to more intensive testing of on-the-field equipment.
During a recent study, it was found that Dan Gilbert's Detroit-based Xenith makes helmets rated the safest by the National Football League.
The NFL and NFLPA tested 17 helmets used by NFL players to find which best reduced head impact severity. Xenith's Epic Varsity was found to be the safest during research, while Xenith's X2E was rated fourth-safest.
"We're thrilled that the NFL and the NFL Players Association have promoted additional testing to continue driving player safety education and we fully support comprehensive laboratory testing," Xenith CEO Joe Esposito said. "For Xenith to be named the number one helmet in a report published by the NFL will only make us more determined to lead by example."
The helmets were impacted at eight locations, including the facemask, front, side and rear of the helmet, to represent the most common points of contact in reviews of NFL game films.
The study was the first of its kind to account for rotational velocity and rotational acceleration in measuring the performance of the helmets.
"There is mounting scientific evidence that concussions have a component of their injury caused by rotational motions of the head impact," the study said.
Xenith's Detroit assembly plant is located just south of Clark Park in southwest Detroit.
"From the earliest automobiles to today's top-quality Shinola watches and bikes, Detroit's reputation for manufacturing, assembly and design is unmatched," said Dan Gilbert, who is also a significant shareholder of Xenith.