DENVER | A massive initiative announced by the Denver Broncos Tuesday will provide new, state-of-the-art helmets to all of the state’s 277 high school football programs.
The announcement of the “ALL IN. ALL COVERED” initiative came at the conclusion of the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Legislative Council meeting held at the Douglas County School District Legacy Campus.
CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger provided the details on its partnership with the Broncos and helmet maker Riddell with plans to outfit the state’s prep football teams (from the largest in Class 5A down to six-man programs) with 15,516 Axiom helmets, which will be portioned out to programs over the next four years. The helmets carry a price tag of around $750 apiece.
“This initiative will have a lasting positive impact on high school football programs and athletes across Colorado for years to come,” said Krueger, who recognized the efforts of Broncos owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner to make it happen. “With an added focus on health and safety, it underscores the Denver Broncos’ organization’s steadfast commitment to athletics and to fostering strong communities throughout the state.”
Locally, Cherokee Trail head football coach Justin Jajczyk said he had 9-10 players on his team this past season who had purchased their own Axiom helmets, including senior Noah Collins. Collins was one of a number of players featured in a video put out by the Broncos — narrated by Peyton Manning — to announce the initiative.
Jajczyk was blown away by the announcement and said Riddell reps have already planned a visit to the school, where 25 of his returning players will be custom fitted for the helmets. In a press release, the Broncos said the first set of helmets would be delivered to programs in May, ahead of the start of the football season in the fall.
“It’s absolutely tremendous that the Broncos are doing this, especially with all the talk over the last decade about the need for more player safety,” Jajczyk told the Sentinel. “Helmets are not cheap and the thing many people don’t understand is that they have a shelf life of about 10 years and then they are done. To buy new ones or get some reconditioned is an ordeal, so this is a big deal.”
Jajczyk said he feels fortunate to be at a place with resources such as Cherokee Trail, where he stretches his annual helmet budget annually to outfit a massive program that saw 170 kids play last season. The helmet donation should allow for more flexibility in the budget.
The Broncos said the Riddell Axiom helmet in particular was picked for its features, which include: “the TRU-FIT™ SYSTEM, which uses 3D imaging of each athlete’s head for a personalized fit and protection system to improve impact response. It also comes standard with InSite Smart Helmet Technology for impact sensing and reporting.”
Jajczyk said he got a chance to experience the technology through players who used the helmets last season and that it can be invaluable to himself and training staff to monitor player safety. The helmets also are adjustable, so they can be refitted for a new group of players each season.
The idea to provide the helmets came out of a Denver Broncos Foundation Board Meeting in August as the organization continues to be very involved in the progression of youth sports in the state.
The Broncos already run an annual 7-on-7 tournament that is free of charge to high school teams, while it was also instrumental in getting girls flag football built up to the point that it became a CHSAA sanctioned sport this fall.
“The Denver Broncos and the Denver Broncos Foundation are thrilled to continue growing the game of football through ALL IN. ALL COVERED.,” Broncos President and Foundation Board President Damani Leech said in a statement.
“After helping Colorado sanction girls high school flag football in 2024, we view this legacy initiative as an opportunity to further invest in future generations by creating equitable access to the sport,” he added. “Through great partners like Riddell and CHSAA, we are ‘all in’ on positively impacting the landscape of youth sports in Colorado.”
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
