VICIS QB-Specific Helmet Claims Top Spot in NFL/NFLPA Helmet Laboratory Performance Testing

Groundbreaking ZERO2 Matrix QB Helmet Receives Top Score in Position-Specific Helmet Testing; Two VICIS Helmets Ranked in Top 5 of Overall Testing Performance

PLAINFIELD, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One year after taking the National Football League (NFL) by storm, the revolutionary VICIS ZERO2 Matrix QB helmet remains the top-performing QB-specific helmet in the game.

The NFL and the NFL Players Association this week released their annual Helmet Laboratory Testing Performance Results, and VICIS was awarded the top spot in the QB-specific helmet testing. Worn by NFL quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Tua Tagovailoa, Russell Wilson, and Anthony Richardson, the ZERO2 Matrix QB is the first NFL helmet designed specifically to protect quarterbacks by addressing the unique locations and speeds in which they’re hit.

Last year, VICIS became the first company in history to develop a quarterback-specific helmet approved for use in the NFL. Upon its release, the NFL announced that the ZERO2 MATRIX QB performed 7% better in quarterback-specific testing than the most popular helmet worn by quarterbacks in 2022.

“As the pioneers of position-specific helmet technology, we are not only pleased that our ZERO2 technology has taken the top ranking in the QB-specific testing, but also that our competitors have embraced the significance of this all-important initiative,” said Jeremy Erspamer, CEO of Certor Sports, VICIS’ portfolio company.

This year, the NFL and NFLPA added three position-specific rankings, displaying the results for top generic (all-position) helmets and position-specific helmets based on additional impact conditions commonly experienced in those positions. The ZERO2 Matrix QB ranked higher than all 15 other helmets tested.

Along with the ZERO2 Matrix QB’s top ranking, VICIS had two additional helmets ranked in the NFL/NFLPA’s Top 5 for overall performance - the VICIS ZERO2 Trench, the NFL’s first-ever lineman-specific helmet, and the VICIS ZERO2.

Since 2015, the NFL and NFLPA have collaborated with these independent experts on an annual report that assesses the performance of helmets worn by NFL athletes, empowering players to make more informed decisions about their protective equipment. Laboratory tests are designed to represent head impacts in the NFL and are focused on the ability of these helmets to reduce the severity of those impacts. VICIS helmets have finished at or near the top of the ratings every year since its inception.

To learn more about the ZERO2 QB Matrix and all VICIS helmets, visit vicis.com.

ABOUT VICIS

Founded in 2013, VICIS' mission is to minimize the impact of sports-related head injuries. A portfolio company of Certor Sports, LLC ("Certor Sports"), VICIS is the leader in head protection technology and has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. VICIS football helmets have consistently ranked first in both the NFL/NFLPA Helmet Performance Testing and Virginia Tech's Performance Testing, and the flagship ZERO1 helmet was named one of TIME Magazine's 25 Best Inventions.

ABOUT CERTOR SPORTS

Certor Sports is a North American sporting goods manufacturer with a comprehensive patent portfolio doing business under a variety of brands including VICIS, Schutt Sports, and Tucci Bats. Certor Sports is wholly owned by funds managed by Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC (www.innovatuscp.com) a New York-based registered investment adviser and portfolio management firm with over $1.5B under management.