Latest news with #SchuttAirXPQ11
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Why Aaron Rodgers' iconic helmet Schutt Air XP Q11 was banned
Aaron Rodgers must adapt to the Pittsburgh Steelers team and playbook, as well as to a new helmet. Ever since his arrival in the NFL in 2005, Rodgers has preferred to wear a Schutt helmet. Most recently, he wore the Schutt Air XP Q11 model when he played for the New York Jets last season. But the helmet is banned now, and he will have to look for a new one to take the field for the Steelers when September rolls around. But the big question is, why was the helmet model banned in the first place? The Schutt Air XP Q11 was already marked as "not recommended" for NFL players in 2024, but Aaron Rodgers still chose to wear it for the season. Since then, the league's safety committee has completely disqualified it. According to NFL Chief Football Administrative Officer Dawn Aponte, the move is part of a broader initiative to enhance player protection and reduce head injuries that are common but dangerous in the sport. 'As helmet technology continues to improve, widespread adoption among players continues to make a difference. Equipment staff at the club level serve a critical role in helping players understand the current offerings and work with them to select an option that levels up protection and offers a great fit,' Aponte said on the matter. As recently as 2022, the Schutt Air XP Q11 helmet was one of the top-performing head protection equipment. This just goes to show how rapidly the safety standards change in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is certainly not happy with the NFL banning his preferred helmet, and he has not kept it a secret. He spoke on the matter in his first press conference as a Pittsburgh Steelers player. 'I can't stand the helmet. I've worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn't pass the safety standards,' he told reporters. While a change in helmets might be a minor inconvenience for most young players, it is not for Rodgers. He is already 41, and at this point in his career, familiarity and comfort play a big part. But he will have to deal with an unfamiliar environment both on the team and now on the equipment front.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Aaron Rodgers' helmet drama overshadows Steelers debut as NFL bans longtime gear of choice
Aaron Rodgers' NFL comeback with the Pittsburgh Steelers faces an unexpected hurdle (Imagn Images) Aaron Rodgers may have finally inked a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the quarterback isn't completely at ease as he prepares for his 2025 NFL comeback. While fans are still wrapping their heads around seeing the four-time MVP in black and gold, Rodgers is grappling with a very personal equipment crisis — the NFL has banned his favorite helmet model just ahead of the season. The NFL's crackdown leaves Aaron Rodgers scrambling for new gear During his first press conference as a Steeler, Rodgers didn't hold back when asked about the NFL's updated helmet guidelines. His frustration was clear, and for good reason — the league recently banned the Schutt Air XP Q11 helmet, Rodgers' trusted gear for over two decades. ' I can't stand the [new] helmet,' Rodgers admitted. 'I've worn a Schutt for 20 years and somehow it finally didn't pass the safety standards.' The Schutt Air XP Q11 was already marked as "not recommended" in 2024 and has since been completely disqualified by the league's safety committee. According to NFL Chief Football Administrative Officer Dawn Aponte, the move is part of a broader initiative to enhance player protection and reduce head injuries. 'As helmet technology continues to improve, widespread adoption among players continues to make a difference,' Aponte said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo 'Equipment staff at the club level serve a critical role in helping players understand the current offerings and work with them to select an option that levels up protection and offers a great fit.' The irony? Rodgers' previously trusted helmet had been considered a "Top-Performing" model as recently as 2022 — a sharp reminder of how rapidly safety standards and technology are evolving in the league. For Rodgers, who will turn 42 later this year, switching helmets isn't just a minor inconvenience. It's a major adjustment at a point in his career where comfort and consistency could make all the difference. With training camp looming and the spotlight burning even brighter in Pittsburgh, Rodgers now faces the task of adapting to unfamiliar equipment while attempting to lead the Steelers into playoff contention. Also Read: Will the Steelers regret signing Aaron Rodgers before Thanksgiving, as predicted by a former Jets GM? The veteran signed a one-year deal worth $13.65 million, with an additional $5.85 million in incentives. Coming off a solid 2024 season with the Jets — 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — expectations are sky-high. Whether a new helmet will throw him off his rhythm remains to be seen.
