Oakley's design for possible new face shields

[Bengalholic]

The NFL and the players' union agreed to several protocols in a 42-page document last week, including team travel, media and treatment response. They have also updated the facilities protocol, specifically addressing training camp, using recommendations from a joint committee of doctors, trainers and strength coaches.

However, the two sides haven’t agreed on testing and screening protocols for the coronavirus.

One idea suggested by the union’s medical director, Dr. Thom Mayer, to help control the spread of the virus was to have players wear face masks. The league’s engineers and a sports equipment company tested prototypes for the masks, but players shot it down.

“We’ve had a real robust discussion around it that stretches back a number of months,” said Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer. “From the start, the NFL Players Association, their medical advisers, their engineers have been engaged with us. We’ve also had dialogue with players along the way trying to look at early prototypes and developments.”

The face shield was designed by Oakley, which already provides visors for the players.

"We have well over 700 players that used the visors last year,” said Renie Anderson, chief revenue officer and executive vice president of NFL Partnerships.

The face shield has received a better response than the mask suggestion.

https://local12.com/sports/bengals/nfl-oakley-come-up-with-face-shields-to-protect-players-cincinnati-bengals-pro-football-helmets-coronavirus

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

It only hurts to breathe...

[Bengalholic]

(07-13-2020, 02:51 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: It only hurts to breathe...

JJ Watt recently talked about how miserable it was to just wear the regular visor on really warm days. I can't imagine how much worse it will be to have a full visor that also covers the mouth area as well...but they may not have a choice if they want to have an NFL season this year. They have to have some way to minimize the risks.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(07-13-2020, 02:58 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: JJ Watt recently talked about how miserable it was to just wear the regular visor on really warm days. I can't imagine how much worse it will be to have a full visor that also covers the mouth area as well...but they may not have a choice if they want to have an NFL season this year. They have to have some way to minimize the risks.

Cannot imagine how bad it would be down in Texas on hot days. I think we will be seeing way more rotation on both sides
of the ball this year with those shields. Have to have a season to help everyone out, gotta do what we gotta do.

Thanks for the news Holic.

[BengalsBong]

(07-13-2020, 02:58 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: JJ Watt recently talked about how miserable it was to just wear the regular visor on really warm days. I can't imagine how much worse it will be to have a full visor that also covers the mouth area as well...but they may not have a choice if they want to have an NFL season this year. They have to have some way to minimize the risks.

   

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(07-13-2020, 07:38 PM)BengalsBong Wrote:    

Now don't go getting yourself banned there BengalsBong.

Holic is the best dude around.

[George Cantstandya]

Wondering what those holes near the mouth area are suppose to do as far as limiting the amount of microscopic airborne material. Especially when there are players in each others faces breathing heavy due to intense physical activity.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(07-13-2020, 07:58 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: Wondering what those holes near the mouth area are suppose to do as far as limiting the amount of microscopic airborne material.  Especially when there are players in each others faces breathing heavy due to intense physical activity.

Yeah I don't see how that is going to minimize anything anyways....

[BengalsBong]

(07-13-2020, 07:51 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Now don't go getting yourself banned there BengalsBong.

Holic is the best dude around.

That is why I used the smiley faces figured there is no way I can get banned if I do not use my words.

[George Cantstandya]

Looking closer at the helmet above, maybe they are not holes and just a bit cut out to make it lighter.  Even then with no holes or whatever where do you think all that possibly contaminated heavy breathing will go?  I'm no scientist or engineer by any means but this is my guess and I'm willing to bet it won't all go backwards.   You have a form fitting helmet and even with a full visor with no holes the air has to escape somewhere.

[Bengalitis]

Maybe put fake beards on it to make it look mo' natural. Like those winter knitted beards.

The dolphins can put gills on theirs. ha!

[Bengalholic]

(07-13-2020, 07:38 PM)BengalsBong Wrote:    

[Bengalholic]

(07-13-2020, 07:58 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: Wondering what those holes near the mouth area are suppose to do as far as limiting the amount of microscopic airborne material.  Especially when there are players in each others faces breathing heavy due to intense physical activity.

I think at this point, a lot of it also has to do with what they can get the players to agree to wear. As a few players have already said, they're not going to want to wear something that's suffocating. Even if they find something that they think can work fairly well medically, they have to make sure the players can breathe as well. I'm not sure both things are possible when you consider how physical and hands on the NFL game is.

[jj22]

It's going to be hard to get the players to agree with everything, which is probably the major reason a full season is on the rocks.

I don't see a plastic mouth covering like this being something they'd want. A built in cloth covering would seem cooler.

[fredtoast]

(07-13-2020, 07:38 PM)BengalsBong Wrote:    

[George Cantstandya]

(07-13-2020, 09:02 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I think at this point, a lot of it also has to do with what they can get the players to agree to wear. As a few players have already said, they're not going to want to wear something that's suffocating. Even if they find something that they think can work fairly well medically, they have to make sure the players can breathe as well. I'm not sure both things are possible when you consider how physical and hands on the NFL game is.

I don't really feel sorry for the players that don't want to be limited by a visor.  I don't even know if they know what suffocating means.  Maybe they should try running a few miles in a gas mask before they judge between what is slightly uncomfortable and suffocating.  I don't mean to judge as I have never worn a football helmet with a full visor, but I think the airflow would be much better.   I think the players using the term suffocating might be exaggerating a bit to get their way.

Mostly I don't care at this point. If they don't want to do what is best then cancel the season. I'm over it and don't even care if they play this year as much as I wanted to see the first season with Burrow. There is much more important at stake than the damn NFL and what the players think they should be able to do or not do.

[jj22]

My question is if they are taking the helmets off on the sidelines while interacting with each other and coaches is it really helpful. I mean I guess protecting passing the virus between teams, but the main concern, touching and passing around the ball, spitting, sweating, brushing up against those bodily fluids, and sharing Gatorade bottles (even if it doesn't go in mouths) seem to be the true issues since it's going to be impossible to avoid close physical contact.

[Yojimbo]

(07-13-2020, 07:58 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: Wondering what those holes near the mouth area are suppose to do as far as limiting the amount of microscopic airborne material. Especially when there are players in each others faces breathing heavy due to intense physical activity.

(07-13-2020, 08:22 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yeah I don't see how that is going to minimize anything anyways....

(07-13-2020, 08:39 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: Looking closer at the helmet above, maybe they are not holes and just a bit cut out to make it lighter.  Even then with no holes or whatever where do you think all that possibly contaminated heavy breathing will go?  I'm no scientist or engineer by any means but this is my guess and I'm willing to bet it won't all go backwards.   You have a form fitting helmet and even with a full visor with no holes the air has to escape somewhere.

From the article:

“Clear plastic with slits or holes in it that block any direct path of a droplet, but do promote air flow, communication, soundwaves,” he said“

[George Cantstandya]

(07-13-2020, 09:39 PM)Yojimbo Wrote: From the article:

“Clear plastic with slits or holes in it that block any direct path of a droplet, but do promote air flow, communication, soundwaves,” he said“

Block direct path of a droplet but doesn't mention indirect.  So all that blocked airflow with droplets goes where?  Out the back of the helmet and into a sterile environment?  Promotes air flow. What do you think is in that air flow?  Sterile inert gases?  That would be one hell of a high tech helmet. I can see all the players talk in high pitch from all the helium on the field off gassed from their helmets. LOL

[Bengalholic]

Mixon responded to the proposed design saying he won't wear the mouth shield:

"Y’all might as well have a pump of sanitizers coming out of our uniforms too while y’all at it. I won’t wear it."

NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer had this response to the design:

“We’ve only had it on a few players — we have 2,500 players in the league — but I was surprised that ... claustrophobia has not been an issue yet. I think it will be when we have more players testing them.”

Mayer had previously suggested that players wear some type of face mask, but players rejected that idea.