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DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (August 25, 2026) – Riddell announced the evolution of Smarter Football, a grant program designed to expand access to advanced equipment and technology while recognizing high school football programs committed to continually improving the experience for their athletes.
As a continuation of the initiative, Riddell selected 11 high school football programs nationwide to receive Smarter Football grants. Each recipient receives a $15,000 starter grant featuring Riddell Axiom smart helmets, Riddell Power shoulder pads, a GSI tackling equipment package, and a one-year subscription to InSite Analytics.
“Smarter Football reflects our belief that innovation can make the greatest difference when we put it directly into the hands of the programs and athletes we serve,” said Erin Griffin, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Riddell. “By bringing this initiative back, we have an opportunity to recognize teams that are committed to continually getting better while expanding access to equipment and technology that can help them do just that.”
The 2026 Smarter Football grant recipients are:
- Guilderland High School — Guilderland Center, New York
- Bellport High School — Brookhaven, New York
- Breckinridge County High School — Harned, Kentucky
- Kimberly High School — Kimberly, Wisconsin
- University High School — Spokane, Washington
- American Leadership Academy – Queen Creek — Queen Creek, Arizona
- Academic Magnet High School — North Charleston, South Carolina
- Shiner ISD — Shiner, Texas
- Mantachie High School — Mantachie, Mississippi
- Bishop Carroll High School — Wichita, Kansas
- Radford High School — Radford, Virginia
Smarter Football is part of Riddell in the Community, the company’s broader commitment to supporting and strengthening football through community investment. Through Smarter Football and relationships with organizations across the sport, Riddell is helping expand access to equipment, technology, and resources that benefit athletes and programs at the grassroots level.
The initiative builds on Riddell’s longstanding commitment to advancing football through innovation and supporting the people and communities that make the game possible.
To learn more about Riddell’s community giveback strategy, visit news.riddell.com/community.
Riddell is a member of NSGA. Founder John T. Riddell is a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
