Should Kennewick Football Players Be Allowed to Use Own Helmets?

There's already a debate brewing over the Kennewick School District's decision to allow parents to supply their own helmet for their middle school or high school football player, amid growing national concerns of concussions.

Our news partner KNDU-TV reports the district will allow the parents to do just that this fall, for players who participate in school-sanctioned football at Highlands, Desert Hills, Horse Heaven Hills and Park Middle Schools, and Kamiakin, Kennewick and Southridge High.

The District has not released a ton of information, but it is presumed provided the helmet meets existing safety standards the schools adhere to, the athlete will be allowed to use it.  It is also presumed the parents will sign the necessary paperwork indicating they are providing the headgear at their 'own' risk and bypassing the school equipment.

But apparently a growing number of parents are investing in their own helmets for their kids, looking for the absolute latest technology for safety.  While some applaud this, others, such as some Kennewick School Board members, say it undermines the safety program and credibility of the District. It implies the helmets being used are not up to safety standards, which is not true.

Officials also say some families cannot afford the considerable expense of a brand new state of the art headgear, and it creates inequality.

My son Dhylan, who is going to be a Junior at Kamiakin, has played for three years now for the school, and indicates each year they go through the helmets, and those that don't meet safety criteria in any way, are taken out of service. New ones are ordered and coaches spend a lot of time making sure they're safe.  Two of his three years, he's gotten a 'bucket' as they are called, that's only one season old or so. They look mint condition.

Another factor is that all Mid Columbia Conference coaches have now been teaching the shoulder-first rugby style tackle, Dhylan told us they work on it.  That's a big change from 10-15 years ago, when most football tacklers were instructed to bull their neck, and utilize a three-point impact. The front of helmet with arms wrapping around torso of ball carrier.

Pasco and Richland currently do NOT allow their athletes to provide their own helmets. What are your thoughts on this?