$150K grant to help buy more football helmets

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Jefferson County Board of Education is being offered a $150,000 grant to help pay for more than 200 football helmets to prevent concussions among student athletes.

The Courier-Journal (http://cjky.it/1FggLdT) reports the board is expected to vote Monday on the two-year grant from Norton Healthcare.

The 235 new helmets are four-star rated and are meant to replace many of the district’s helmets that are rated two stars or below. Helmets are ranked on a five-star safety scale, with one- and two-star helmets considered marginal or adequate in their safety.

A recent report from the Courier-Journal on concussions among athletes showed that repeated concussions can cause long-term problems like headaches, depression or memory loss.

Officials say the grant would also be used to help hire athletic trainers.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

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