As part of a joint commitment to player safety, a group of sports entities and equipment manufacturers has entered into an unprecedented partnership to create a youth football safety and helmet replacement program for youth in underserved communities. The initiative will remove helmets that are 10 years old or older and replace them with new helmets at no cost to the beneficiary leagues and will provide coaches with the latest educational information to help keep their young athletes safer and healthier.

In its first year, the program is being piloted in four markets: the California Bay Area, Gulf Coast region, Northern Ohio, and the tri-state region around New York City. The NFL, NFLPA, NCAA and NOCSAE have committed a combined total of approximately $1 million to the program in its first year. The pilot program is designed to provide valuable information on the state of youth football helmets, including the number of helmets 10 years old or older in use. As of 2012, NAERA members will no longer recondition or recertify any helmet that is 10 years of age or older. NOCSAE will collect the helmets when removed and use them for ongoing research programs.

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL and NFLPA, will lead the execution of the program. Other partners in the initiative are the NFL, NFL Players Association, CDC, NAERA, NCAA, NOCSAE and the SGMA. Equipment manufacturers Rawlings, Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith are providing discounted helmets. To learn more or apply for helmets, visit www.usafootball.com/playersafety

The effort, initiated by CPSC Chairman INEZ TENENBAUM, is expected to educate thousands of youth football coaches on vital health and safety issues and provide nearly 13,000 new helmets to youth football players in low-income communities in 2012. Helmets will be distributed beginning in July.

“We are pleased to be part of this initiative, which will give children in underserved communities access to new helmets, and to reach coaches and parents with educational information to help protect young athletes from head injuries,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “This program is part of our focus on player safety at all levels of the game. We are proud to join with these well-respected organizations to make the Helmet Replacement Program a reality.”

“The time has come to accelerate the culture change needed to improve the health and safety of youth football players,” said CPSC Chairman Tenenbaum. “Even with our push for improved safety equipment, it is vital that parents, coaches and players understand that there is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet. The best answer is safer and smarter play, which is why this game-changing program is aimed at reducing hits to the head and trauma to the brain. I want to thank everyone involved in this initiative for joining together in a common commitment to youth player safety.”

Helmets do not prevent concussions. Therefore, the program includes a strong educational campaign that features important safety information from the CDC, the CPSC and USA Football, including materials on concussion awareness, proper helmet fitting, and fundamentally sound football instruction with USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact module. In addition, leagues that receive helmets through this program will be required to have their coaches complete USA Football’s Level 1 coaching course. Elements of the education component are as follows:

• “Start with Safety”: Concussion awareness and response information, featuring links to CDC content and resources
• “Perfect Fitting”: Helmet fitting information, including links to manufacturer-specific fitting resources
• “Tackle Safety”: USA Football’s Tackle Progression Model and Levels of Contact information and videos
• “Helmet Condition”: Reconditioning and replacement information

Rosemont, Ill. – May 1, 2012 – Riddell, the official helmet of the National Football League®, has reported that two of its newest helmets received the highest possible, 5-STAR ranking in the latest Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings™, released today. The Riddell Revolution Speed, the only 5-STAR rated helmet in the 2011 study, was joined by the Riddell 360, reviewed for the first time this year.

“We are pleased that the design and engineering of our helmets has once again been validated by this study,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell. “We judge our football helmets across many different metrics, and it’s terrific to see that we fared well with Virginia Tech’s rating system. What this study shows is that the football helmet industry is continuing to advance and produce more protective helmets. We’re pleased that these advancements are accelerating the adoption rate of Riddell’s new technology in the marketplace.”

The design of the new Riddell 360 helmet incorporated the analysis of 1.4 million impacts collected by Riddell’s HITS™ Technology system. The 360 helmet uses energy managing materials and design, including strategically placed face mask hinge clips to disperse energy from frontal impacts. The 360 helmet also features enhanced protection along the jaw line and includes a system designed to improve the fit and retention of the helmet.

Virginia Tech’s study of football helmets was the first to provide the public with comparative test results to help consumers make decisions about football helmet purchases. The Virginia Tech research involved performing 120 impacts on each helmet model at multiple locations and impact energies to determine STAR ratings (STAR is an acronym for the Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk value). According to Virginia Tech, the STAR value is the calculated incidence of concussion for one season of full participation at the collegiate level.

Riddell believes concussion awareness is vital to improving player safety. While no helmet can prevent concussions, Riddell believes that a combination of strategies – including rule changes, closer monitoring of players, improvements in coaching techniques, more robust educational programs and continued advancements in helmet technology – can work in tandem to best protect those who play the game.

For more information about the Virginia Tech football helmet ratings, visit the STAR Rating website. To learn more about Riddell, visit www.riddell.com.

ABOUT RIDDELL
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

Youth, middle school and high school football programs can apply for football equipment and uniform grants from USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States. The online application resides at usafootball.com.

Based on merit and need, USA Football awards $1 million annually in football equipment and uniform grants to assist and further strengthen America’s grassroots football community. USA Football’s grant program has assisted the youth and high school football programs since 2006 and will have awarded more than $5 million worth of football equipment by the end of 2012. The program is made possible through the NFL Youth Football Fund.

Youth leagues that are 501(c)(3) compliant and schools may submit applications through 11:59 p.m. ET on May 18 at http://www2.usafootball.com/grants. Applications must be submitted online.

More than 3 million children age 6-14 and 1.1 million high school students play organized tackle football, placing it among the country’s most popular youth and scholastic participatory sports.

Each selected youth league and middle school program receives a $1,000 package that offers a variety of football equipment and uniform options. High schools receive similar packages valued at $1,500. Grants are fulfilled by Riddell, the official helmet and protective equipment partner of USA Football, and Rawlings, the official uniform partner of USA Football.

USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFLPA. The NFL Youth Football Fund is a nonprofit foundation created by the NFL and the NFL Players Association to promote positive youth development, support youth and high school football needs nationwide and ensure the health of grassroots football.

Effective in 2012, any helmet 10 years old or older will not be reconditioned or recertified by a National Athletic Equipment Reconditioning Association (NAERA) member. Youth leagues and schools may employ USA Football grants to follow NAERA’s new football helmet reconditioning protocols.

“USA Football is committed to player safety,” USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK said. “Our equipment grants help youth leagues and scholastic programs continue to make positive differences in young people’s lives through America’s favorite sport. Even with successful fundraisers, some organizations may find challenges in properly equipping their teams. We’re proud to help ensure great football experiences with support from the NFL Youth Football Fund.”

Independent nonprofit USA Football offers innovative programs and development resources to further strengthen America’s football community. USA Football members – players, coaches, youth league commissioners and game officials – reside in all 50 states and 49 foreign countries.

About the NFL Youth Football Fund: Established in 1998 by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, the NFL Youth Football Fund seeks to use football as a catalyst to promote positive youth development, support youth and high school football needs nationwide and ensure the health of amateur football participation. Through the YFF’s youth football initiatives and support programs, young athletes are provided with opportunities to learn the game of football, get physically fit and stay involved in productive after-school activities with adult mentors. For more information, visit http://www.nflyff.org.

About USA Football: USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, hosts more than 100 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent nonprofit is the official youth football development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams. Indianapolis-based USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competition. Endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is chaired by former NFL team executive Carl Peterson.

ROSEMONT, Ill., Feb. 14, 2012 — Riddell Sports, the official helmet of the National Football League®, announced today that it has renewed its partnership with USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States.

As USA Football’s official football helmet and protective equipment partner, Riddell will continue its role of fulfilling USA Football’s annual $1 million equipment grant program to youth and high school football programs, help facilitate USA Football’s skill development events for coaches and players and assist in generating awareness for the most important issues affecting athletes on the field.

USA Football and Riddell established their partnership in 2009, marking Riddell’s first relationship with a sport’s national governing body and its most significant foray into youth football, a community composed of approximately 3 million players and 120,000 teams. The renewed partnership will continue through 2016.

“During the past three years, USA Football and Riddell have worked together to foster the sport’s growth, inspire participation and ensure positive experiences for all youth and amateur athletes,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell Sports. “Our renewed partnership with USA Football will focus on promoting the game and will bring attention to how players can best protect themselves while playing. We believe a combination of strategies – ranging from educational programs to rule changes to updated coaching techniques, along with the most innovative equipment – is what it takes to best protect those who play the game.”

Indianapolis-based USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL, the NFL Players Association and each of the league’s 32 teams and is the only organization to earn this responsibility in the league’s 92-year history. It conducts more than 80 annual football training events across the U.S., offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players, and resources for youth football league commissioners. USA Football members reside in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Riddell, the industry leader in player protection,” said Scott Hallenbeck, executive director of USA Football. “Our relationship will continue to be instrumental in helping America’s football community play smarter and safer as well as provide the most innovative equipment available to players.”

Riddell, whose leading protective equipment is worn by players at every level of the game, continues to partner with USA Football to develop and implement a variety of important initiatives, including:

U.S. National Teams: Riddell will outfit U.S. national teams in football for international competitions to ensure that America’s athletes wear the most advanced protective equipment available. U.S. national teams are assembled and managed by USA Football, America’s delegate to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), comprised of more than 60 countries spanning six continents.

Performance and Protection Tour: Riddell and USA Football will visit several key football markets in 2012 to teach youth football players, parents, coaches and league commissioners about proper helmet fitting and tackling techniques.

USA Football Coaching Schools: Conducted by USA Football in partnership with many NFL teams, these single-day coaching clinics are facilitated by Riddell in offering proper equipment fitting instruction to help ensure a positive football experience for America’s 3 million youth tackle football players. Participants also receive player health and concussion education materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

USA Football State Leadership Forums: Conducted by USA Football in partnership with many NFL teams, these meetings of youth football league commissioners throughout a state or region discuss best practices from Riddell in the areas of equipment fitting instruction. Participants also receive player health and concussion education materials from the CDC.

USA Football Equipment Grant Program: USA Football fulfills $1 million in football equipment grants annually for youth and high school football programs based on merit and need. Riddell’s industry leading products account for all protective equipment awarded to grantees.

For more information about Riddell Sports, visit www.riddell.com. For more information about USA Football, visit www.usafootball.com.

About Riddell
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

About USA Football
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, hosts more than 80 football skill development events annually for coaches, players and youth football league commissioners. USA Football partners with the NFL, collegiate football conferences, and the National Federation of State High School Associations to advance the sport on grassroots levels. Indianapolis-based USA Football manages U.S. national teams for international competition and was endowed by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund. Former NFL team executive Carl Peterson is USA Football’s chairman.

Contact:
Erin Griffin
224.585.5231
eegriffin@riddellsports.com

ROSEMONT, Ill., Jan. 12, 2012 — Riddell announced today it has acquired Gunther’s Athletic Service, of Anaheim, California, a West Coast leader in helmet and protective reconditioning, and sales of sporting goods, uniforms and equipment. Riddell will maintain operations at Gunther’s facility in Anaheim, California, and deliver the same service offering. In addition, Bob Brown and Craig Drager, previous owners of Gunther’s, will remain in key sales and management roles. The terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.

“The acquisition of Gunther’s Athletic Service is part of Riddell’s ongoing effort to grow its brand presence in key areas of the country like the West Coast,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell Sports. “Gunther’s established helmet reconditioning business, combined with the deep heritage and protective benefits of the Riddell product line, allows us to service schools at a much deeper level.”

Founded in 1969, Gunther’s Athletic Service has developed one of the largest independent reconditioning businesses on the West Coast. As an original member of the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) and a licensed National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) reconditioner, Gunther’s is recognized for its quality reconditioning of helmets, shoulder pads, blocking pads, uniforms and other athletic equipment

About Riddell
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

About Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn. Its products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, California, the company has 31 facilities worldwide. More information is available at www.eastonbellsports.com.

Contact:
Erin Griffin(224) 585-5231eegriffin@riddellsports.com
OR Laura Moore (818) 902-5807lkmoore@eastonbellsports.com

CHICAGO – January 4, 2012 –Riddell announced today it will be the first manufacturer to provide users with an easy-to-read, initial season of use/maximum life label. The label will be affixed to the exterior of its helmets as part of Riddell’s commitment to designing and manufacturing football helmets and equipment to provide athletes with the highest level of protection possible.

The initial season of use/maximum life label clearly shows a helmet’s year of manufacture, as well as its maximum lifespan, so athletes, coaches and parents can easily determine when to replace their equipment. A new policy from the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA) states any football helmet 10 years and older will no longer be eligible for reconditioning and recertification. This new label will be affixed to the back of every new Riddell helmet and any helmet reconditioned at a Riddell facility.

“It is important for schools to know the age of their helmets and recondition them each year to best protect athletes,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell Sports. “Our new system helps coaches and parents easily determine the age of a player’s helmet.”

This initiative is supported by Chairman Inez Tenenbaum of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which works to improve the safety of thousands of consumer products under its jurisdiction.

“I applaud Riddell for stepping forward and empowering parents, players, and coaches with information that could prevent injuries on the football field,” said CPSC Chairman Tenenbaum. “I am also very encouraged that other helmet manufacturers have responded to my call that this become an industry standard, as quickly as possible. Every parent, player, and coach should be able to look at the back of any helmet and instantly know whether that helmet might still be eligible for use.”

The initial season of use/maximum life label is now in effect for the upcoming 2012 football season for all new Riddell helmets and reconditioned helmets. For more information, visit www.riddell.com.

ABOUT RIDDELL
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

ABOUT EASTON-BELL SPORTS, INC.
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn. Its products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, California, the company has 31 facilities worldwide. More information is available at www.eastonbellsports.com.

CHICAGO – Dec. 12, 2011 – Riddell, the official helmet of the National Football League®, and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) announced today an exclusive partnership to provide educational programs for athletic administrators. This partnership works to raise awareness of innovative equipment, technology and services among coaches and parents and furthers the organizations’ joint commitment to protecting football players at every level.

The NIAAA, an independent non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, promotes positive working relationships with state athletic administrators and state and national athletic associations. As a strategic partner of the NIAAA and recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation, Riddell will ensure that certified athletic administrators and athletic programs across the U.S. stay informed on the most important issues affecting athlete protection on the field.

“The NIAAA is a terrific organizational fit for Riddell. We share many of the same goals with its dedicated members such as our focus on improving junior high and high school athletic programs,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell Sports. “This partnership will have a direct positive impact for players and parents and represents a further extension of our commitment to football programs nationwide.”

Riddell, whose equipment is worn by players at all levels, will be woven into the NIAAA’s 12-month calendar of national events and initiatives. Riddell will provide educational opportunities for athletic administrators and directors on key issues such as proper helmet fitting, return-to-play counsel, helmet reconditioning and recertification services, safety standards and procedures, and emerging technologies.

“The NIAAA is excited to have football’s most respected protective sports equipment company as a partner,” said Bruce Whitehead, executive director of the NIAAA. “Our partnership with Riddell will help support the vital role of interscholastic athletics in the educational system, demonstrating how essential on-field leadership, sportsmanship and player safety is to students’ football experience.”

Riddell will offer the NIAAA its industry-leading protective technologies in the form of helmets and shoulder pads as well as comprehensive tutorials and educational resources for athletic administrators, coaches, parents and players throughout the year.

For more information about Riddell Sports, visit riddell.com. For more information about the National
Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, visit niaaa.org.

About Riddell
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

About Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.
Easton-Bell Sports, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under such well-known brands as Easton, Bell, Giro, Riddell and Blackburn. Its products incorporate leading technology and designs and are used by professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. Headquartered in Van Nuys, California, the company has 31 facilities worldwide. More information is available at www.eastonbellsports.com.

About the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association
The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Associatio preserves, enhances and promotes the educational values of interscholastic athletics through the professional development of its members in the areas of education, leadership, and service. The NIAAA’s commitment to leadership programs, resources and services support the athletic administrator’s efforts in providing quality athletic participation opportunities for students. The NIAAA promotes a positive working relationship with state athletic administrator and State and national athletic/activity associations in addition to developing strategic alliances with other education based agencies.

Rosemont, Ill. — October 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Riddell, the official helmet of the National Football League®, is taking an in-season time out to educate coaches, players and parents about how to properly inspect helmets and shoulder pads. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, football is the most popular sport for high school boys with more than a million participants.

Click here to view the complete Multimedia News Release.

USA Football’s National Youth Football Kickoff is part of the NFL’s Back to Football campaign. Coinciding with the NFL’s Kickoff Weekend, youth teams on more than 2,000 fields will begin their Sept. 10 games with a special red, white and blue commemorative football provided by USA Football without cost, celebrating the season’s return.

Leagues will upload photos and messages from their Saturday games on Facebook and Twitter to be shared with the entire youth football community. All social network messages and a list of participating leagues are found at www.usafootball.com/kickoff.

USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL and each of its 32 teams.

Approximately 3 million children age 6-14 play youth football, placing it among the country’s most popular youth sports.

“For millions of Americans, regardless of our age, the return of football at all levels unites us in an exciting way,” said USA Football Executive Director SCOTT HALLENBECK. “That’s what Saturday is about – celebrating the kids, families and volunteers whose dedication powers this sport and uniting us through fun social networking.”

Based in Indianapolis, USA Football is the sport’s national governing body in the United States. Sixty-two (62) countries spanning six continents possess national federations of sport dedicated solely to football.

About USA Football
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, inspires participation, and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school, and other amateur players. The independent nonprofit hosts more than 80 football training events annually for coaches, players and youth football league commissioners. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams and manages U.S. national teams for international competition. Endowed by the NFL and NFL Players Association in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football distributes $1 million annually in equipment grants and offers youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Former NFL team executive Carl Peterson is USA Football’s chairman.