The discussion about concussions has dominated football headlines for years now, as people are increasing awareness about injuries.
And, as researchers continue to find out more, helmet technology also continues to improve.
Taking note of helmets and improvements is Jim Long, the Coordinator of Student Activities for Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
He's involved in all athletics at the middle schools and high schools, including careful thought into equipment athletes use, like football helmets.
"I would say probably five or six years ago, we made the decision that we were going to begin to phase out any helmets that weren't the highest star rated helmets," said Long.
The district uses Virginia Tech's helmet ratings to decide which helmets to buy.
Five stars on the system mark the safest helmets, which includes a reduction in concussion risks. All of the helmets Virginia Schools purchase are five stars and are certified.
Long said no helmet is used for more than 10 years.
"Each year when we make purchases for the schools, that's what we're making sure we're doing, buying the highest-rated helmets we can get those schools," he said.
One of the top-rated helmets is made by company VICIS, which popped onto the scene in 2017 with cutting-edge helmet technology.
"The mission and driving force of the company is to take a look at football and other sports and look at ways you can apply new technologies to increase protections," said Brian Matakis, the Vice President of Marketing.
He said the Virginia Tech rankings system is the gold standard outside of the NFL. Like that study, VICIS uses technology that helps absorb the impact from hits before reaching a player's head.
"VICIS helmets are different. We actually have materials and a flexible outer shell that yields like modern car bumpers," said Matakis.
Matakis said before VICIS, the helmet technology on the market had been around for decades. Even with the constantly improving helmets like VICIS makes, Matakis and Long think headgear is just part of the game plan to prevent injuries.
"All of our football coaches now take what's called heads up football training in addition to safe tackling techniques, but also learning helmet fitting. How do you properly fit a student with that helmet so it's as safe as possible?" said Long.
"There's been a "woke" moment for the sports and the company that supplies products to the game of football as I mentioned, when you examine those shifts that have taken place, like real changes, better tackling techniques, increase vigilance into the protection," Matakis said.
With education and technology, Matakis thinks there isn't a better time to play football.
"The level of safety and protection is something I think makes football even safer than say five years ago," said Matakis.
"We want to make it as safe as we can possibly make it," said Long.