The data from the headgear also is being analyzed by a University of Illinois research team. Lead researcher Dr. Steven Bruglio expressed concern about the link between football and Alzheimer’s, even at the lower athletic levels. He’s quoted as saying, “What other researchers are finding is that people with multiple concussions have incurred Alzheimer’s disease at a higher rate. Getting their ‘bell rung’ as high school athletes may have permanent repercussions. There seems to be a link.”

This study of the high-tech helmets is critical since researchers may be able to learn important information that can help guide manufacturers in redesigning football helmets to make them safer. And that type of proactive research will be important in making sure that those bone-crunching tackles -- whether at the professional, collegiate, or high school levels – do not set the stage for Alzheimer’s disease.