Riddell Unveils Riddell in the Community to Support the Future of Football

DES PLAINES, Ill. (August 14, 2026) – Riddell, the industry leader in football helmet technology and sports protection innovation, today announced the launch of Riddell in the Community, a redefined giveback strategy showcasing the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting athletes, coaches, and teams across the football landscape.

Built on the belief that football has the power to build character, create opportunities, and bring people together, Riddell in the Community unites the company’s engagement efforts under one shared vision: to help make the game more accessible, smart, and inclusive for athletes at every level. Through equipment grants, strategic partnerships, grassroots initiatives, event support, and continued investment in player protection, Riddell is working alongside organizations to strengthen the game and the people who make it possible.

“At Riddell, we believe our responsibility to football goes beyond the innovations and equipment we develop,” said Erin Griffin, senior vice president of marketing and communications, Riddell. “Riddell in the Community brings our efforts together around a shared purpose: making a meaningful difference in the game and the athletes we serve. Whether we’re helping a program access essential protective equipment, recognizing teams committed to smarter play, or creating new opportunities to participate in the sport, we’re proud to support the people and programs helping shape the future of football.”

Riddell in the Community: Three Pillars of Giving Back

Riddell in the Community is anchored by three key pillars: Growing the Game, Smarter Football, and Play It Forward.

Growing the Game focuses on expanding access to football while promoting inclusion, education, and player protection. Through equipment grants, educational initiatives, and partnerships across the sport, Riddell supports programs at every level with resources while creating opportunities for athletes of diverse backgrounds, genders, and abilities. The pillar also reflects Riddell’s continued commitment to advancing player protection through helmet technology, research, and data-driven insights.

Smarter Football recognizes and rewards programs that demonstrate a commitment to safer, smarter play. Originally launched in 2015, the initiative has provided more than 50 teams with essential equipment grants. As part of Riddell in the Community, Smarter Football continues to evolve, now awarding select high school and collegiate institutions with advanced protective equipment and coaching tools designed to help them embrace the future of the game.

Play It Forward brings together Riddell’s broader engagement efforts, including strategic partnerships, local programming, and event support. Through collaborations with trusted organizations, Riddell provides equipment, resources, and expertise to programs and athletes in need, while grassroots sales initiatives and event activations create additional opportunities to connect with communities around athlete protection.

Supporting the Future of Football

Riddell in the Community represents an ongoing commitment rather than a single initiative. By bringing Riddell’s philanthropic partnerships, equipment grants, grassroots efforts, and resources together under one strategy, Riddell aims to expand its support to the athletes, coaches and communities that sustain the sport.

The new Riddell in the Community strategy, including information about its three pillars, programs, and partnerships, is featured at news.riddell.com/community.

Together, Growing the Game, Smarter Football, and Play It Forward reflect Riddell’s commitment to protecting athletes, expanding opportunity, and strengthening the game for generations to come.

About Riddell

Riddell was founded with a goal of giving back to the football community while advancing and improving athlete protection. As the long-standing leader in football head protection and protective athletic equipment for 95 years, Riddell is leading the game to a strong future by creating a path to next generation protection. Riddell also offers best-in-class reconditioning services to help ensure athletes have access to clean, sanitized, and recertified equipment. Off the field, Riddell’s licensed collectibles business is regarded as the cornerstone of football collectibles for fans and collectors of college and the NFL. For more information, visit www.riddell.com or follow @RiddellSports on Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.