The Denver Broncos are kick-starting their offseason with a wonderful new initiative targeted toward Colorado's tackle high school football programs.
On Tuesday, the franchise announced "All In. All Covered.," an "unprecedented statewide helmet distribution program" that will provide more than 15,000 Riddell Axiom smart helmets to all 277 high schools in Colorado via the team's philanthropic arm, per the team's website. The $12M price tag represents the largest community investment in franchise history.
Schools will receive their full allotment over a four-year period, with the first shipments beginning in May. Notably, the Riddell Axiom helmet was rated in the top-tier of overall safest helmets this season by the NFL and the NFLPA, per Sports Business Journal.
“We’re wanting to make the game as safe as possible and wanting to grow the game, and making sure that parents, administrators, and coaches understand this is one the most innovative and safe helmets that’s out there,” said team co-owner Carrie Walton Penner. “I think it gives parents a little bit more comfort if they have questions about whether or not their children should play tackle football.”
The franchise further detailed the initiative in a video narrated by Broncos legend Peyton Manning.
Colorado high schools are ALL IN, and the Broncos have them ALL COVERED.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 28, 2025
Led by Owner & Foundation Chair Carrie Walton Penner and Owner & CEO Greg Penner, we’re excited to launch an initiative distributing 15,000+ new Riddell Axiom helmets free to every HS program in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/FArAnWe8YV
Riddell will provide custom helmet fittings for the students, and the Broncos' foundation will pay for four years of InSite Analytics plus a Riddell Sideline Device for tracking and analyzing performance, according to Axios. Each helmet is further equipped with impact sensing and reporting technology.
“We’re really excited about this,” Walton Penner adds. “It feels like a capstone program, and it really kind of establishes what we want to do, and how we’re focusing on on being a good partner across the state, and really thinking about youth.”
Fans and NFL world personalities applauded the Broncos for the move on social media. Some fans even called on their favorite franchises to do similarly.
Broncos ownership is donating 15,000 brand-new helmets to cover all 277 high schools in Colorado. It’s one of the biggest investments ever in high school football history and a huge step forward for player safety. 👏 https://t.co/rXgzdmSKlU
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 28, 2025
Many Broncos players wear this helmet. This is approximately a $12 million investment of support for football in Colorado, a sport in which cost can be a barrier for some families. https://t.co/a7PqNzsshQ
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 28, 2025
Like it. https://t.co/2EYsMy0WzA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2025
For context, doing this for every high school player in Colorado is going to cost the Broncos a cool 15 million dollars.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 28, 2025
That is a VERY large investment. Truly awesome that they are committing to the future of the sport like this. https://t.co/w6quQ5Gagh
ok @Vikings time to step up to the plate https://t.co/1LEHzFa6oc
— Josh G (@mrjg57) January 28, 2025
This is incredible!! @Saints Louisiana high schools would benefit greatly from support like yall! https://t.co/VcPnyprwm9
— Coach Marlar, M.S. (@CoachMarlar) January 28, 2025
Would love to see the Cowboys and Texans team up for this #txhsfb https://t.co/XRMKsjwtYl
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) January 28, 2025
Lookin at you, @Chiefs https://t.co/Tg8WFuFhUk
— Missouri Helmet Project (@HelmetMissouri) January 28, 2025
Good moves, Denver.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Broncos Launch Program to Provide Football Helmets for Every High School in Colorado.
