Steelers QB Kenny Pickett makes smart choice that could pay off big
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett knew something wasn't right when he got back to the playing field in Week 14 after taking a big hit going to the ground. Symptoms started to come up as he tried to keep playing in his first-ever Steelers-Ravens match-up. He was ruled out of the game with a concussion […]
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett knew something wasn't right when he got back to the playing field in Week 14 after taking a big hit going to the ground. Symptoms started to come up as he tried to keep playing in his first-ever Steelers-Ravens match-up.
He was ruled out of the game with a concussion even though he'd been allowed to return to the field previously.
"I self-reported," the Steelers rookie told reporters on Thursday. "I came off the field and was not feeling good, so that's why I went in."
Many players in the NFL should follow Pickett's mature approach to the whole thing, especially since it's his second concussion of the season. The Steelers quarterback revealed that he felt more severe symptoms than the first time he went into the protocol.
Now, Kenny Pickett is playing the long game by making the smart decision to wear a different helmet. If you notice anything different about the rookie on Saturday, it will probably be that new piece of hardware.
The Steelers quarterback will be wearing a "Riddell Axiom," which has caused a ton of noise in the football community as it offers cutting-edge technology such as a personalized fit achieved by 3D imaging.
"Axiom is the first football helmet that will offer a standard, factory-installed, optically correct visor to give athletes a clear field view and full coverage eye protection," Riddell described in its launch in January of 2022.
Pickett specifically cares about… not getting punched in the face.
"With the visor for this face mask, the face mask gap is too wide," said the Steelers quarterback on Thursday. "I don't know who designed this one, but it's just a little too wide that a fist can literally go through it. So, I don't want to get punched in the face on Saturday."
The Steelers quarterback has enough on his mind already. Playing the position in the NFL is a demanding job physically and intellectually. You have to give him some credit for making a smart, safe choice about his future by listening to the doctors.
"They suggested it, the doctors did," Pickett elaborated. "They said they had really good results with it. I trust what they say 100 percent, so I want to definitely be safe."
If Pickett avoids just one concussion thanks to moving on from his old helmet, it will be worth it. Health should be a priority for the players and you'd be surprised how many pros don't want to make a switch for purely sentimental reasons. This is a smart choice by the rookie.
"I think it's comfortable and it has the speed flex in the back of my helmet which is where the ground has been causing my concussions. Not really getting hit from the front but slamming my head off the ground is what has been an issue."
On top of safety, Kenny Pickett is also making Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (and one of his best friends within the offense) happy with the helmet change. The second-year tight end has been wearing a Riddell Axiom himself.
"We're helmet buddies now," said the Steelers quarterback.
Featured image via Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
