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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA and LITCHFIELD, ILLINOIS (June 5, 2020) – The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) ruled on June 5 that the Schutt Sports Splash Shield for football helmets, as shown below, will be permissible for competition and is compliant with current 2020 NFHS Football Rule 1-5-3c(4) as long as it is clear and has no tint.
Bob Colgate, NFHS Director of Sports and Sports Medicine and liaison to the Football Rules Committee, said the NFHS was notified on June 5 about the new product from Schutt for its football face mask. The NFHS is not mandating or endorsing the Schutt product for use by high school players.
Schutt announced in a press release it is manufacturing the new Splash Shield to offer some protection for football players from harmful droplets caused by talking, sneezing and coughing in close proximity – which is a concern of the spread of COVID-19. Schutt said it will offer the Splash Shield for purchase by July through its dealer network and online.
“We need sports to return and this new product will help players in that regard,” Kip Meyer, general manager for Schutt Sports, said in the release. “We are excited to introduce a product that benefits the players, the industry and ultimately, the fans.”
Schutt said the Splash Shield is made of a clear optical material and has slotted tabs for ease in connecting the product to any faceguard on any helmet. Schutt added while the Splash Shield will offer some protection, it can only limit exposure to airborne droplets that the athlete encounters during play.
“The debut of the Splash Shield is perfect timing for teams all over the world, and especially in the U.S., as we are preparing to get ready for football season,” Meyer said.
Click here to learn more about the Schutt Splash Shield.
