Schumer supports helmet legislation

Sen. Charles Schumer calls proposed federal legislation requiring improved safety standards for football helmets used in high school and youth leagues "the biggest leap in helmet safety since we abandoned the old leather helmet."

Schumer, a co-sponsor of the Children's Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act, spoke Monday about the legislation at Calhoun High School. He cited a growing number of head injuries as the impetus for the bill, which he said has bipartisan support.

"Football has the highest incidence of concussions of all sports in which kids and teenagers participate," Schumer said. "There are about 500,000 head injuries annually and every piece of modern research tells us that a concussion isn't just about temporarily seeing stars. It can be a serious medical condition that can have damaging consequences."

Schumer (D-N.Y.) referenced a recent bill signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that established new protocols for dealing with head injuries, which includes removing the injured player from competition, prohibiting the athlete's return for at least 24 hours and requiring clearance by a physician.

"The state passed legislation that deals with concussions once they occurred; we are trying to deal with preventing concussions," Schumer said. "This is federal and it would affect helmets from one end of the country to the other."

Schumer said the new legislation would fall under the auspices of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which would determine, through inspection of the helmets, what improvements should be made.

"Better materials," Schumer said. "Not just more padding; padding in the right places, the right thickness, the right materials that make the difference."

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Third-party testing would certify new equipment, he said. The bill also would call for the Federal Trade Commission to impose penalties on companies and retailers that use false safety claims to sell the helmets.

With no current guidelines, Schumer said, "The helmet manufacturers have no oversight. They make helmets for players of all ages to withstand only the extreme high-level force that would otherwise fracture skulls. Research and common sense will tell you that skull fractures should not be the standard. We've learned a lot about concussions, so now it's time to apply it."

The legislation would not require youth groups or high schools to buy new helmets, nor does it address cost. "The helmets would be paid for the way they are now," Schumer said, "by the schools."

Saul Lerner, district athletic director for Bellmore-Merrick schools, said he'd want to study the research on the incidence of head injuries with improved headgear, but he added, "If the helmet goes up from $160 to $220 and our kids are safer, it's something we have to do.''

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Calhoun fullback Rob Rinck offered a player's perspective on the improved helmets, saying, "If the school has money to buy equipment, why not buy safer equipment?"