BYU Installs New Splash Shield On Helmets To Prevent Spread Of COVID-19
Aug 10, 2020, 1:49 PM
Photo Courtesy of BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey
PROVO, Utah – If the college football season happens this fall, BYU will have a new addition to its helmet to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
BYU showed off pictures on Monday of the new “Splash Shield” on player helmets. The shield is created by Schutt, one of the largest helmet equipment providers in the country, and was developed this past spring. Schutt’s SplashShield is designed to block droplets from sweat, coughs, and sneezes.
New helmet looks 👀
Schutt Splash Shields have been added to our helmets for player safety. pic.twitter.com/UCb617FNJC
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 10, 2020
BYU has already completed one week of training camp practice. Through the first week, players were seen wearing typical face mask coverings on top of their helmets. The National Champion LSU Tigers have also installed “Splash Shields” to mixed reviews.
Schutt has a demonstration video showing the impact an exhale from a player can have after extreme exertion without the shield and with the new Splash Shield. According to the demonstration video, it’s a significant difference.
With all the uncertainty surrounding a possible season this year in college football, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said on Monday, “We’re going to go until they tell us to stop and our mindset is to just get better every day.”
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
