PLAYING IT
SAFE Safe
SANDPOINT BULLDOGS ARE OUTFITTED WITH PREMIER EQUIPMENT SELECTED FOR SAFETY AND QUALITY
W
hen it comes to sports equipment, the first word that often comes to mind is safety. Among the many qualities a football player might desire from their gear, safety and protection are the true non-negotiables. For the Sandpoint Bulldogs, choosing to fit their players in premier protective gear by leading company Riddell helps ensure this safety. Riddell Athletic Equipment and Reconditioning representative Allen Martin has been fitting Sandpoint football players for their equipment since 2015. He usually makes two annual trips to the schools: one in the spring to the high school, and another in the fall to fit junior high students for their helmets and shoulder pads. “We take care in providing equipment that keeps the athlete safe, so each kid can perform at their peak for the entire year,” Martin shared. “There is no substitute for keeping an athlete as safe as possible in today’s game.” His process is a collaborative one. “All of our helmets are 5-star helmets, which is the best you can get, but the specific style is up to the head coach and what they want to work with,” Martin said. Riddell’s shoulder pads are not rated, but Sandpoint uses the top-of-the-line pads that are in use by most high schools and colleges in the area. Riddell, known for its innovative, high-quality football gear, is a top selection for many football organizations. “Trainers and equipment managers at the college and pro level use our brand of products about 78 percent of the time. That means there is a trust level and a proven level of performance from our equipment that they have all come to expect,” Martin said. That level of trust trickles down from the professional levels to reach the high school and junior high players. “The equipment at Sandpoint is the same as what the D-1 schools use, so that is a compliment to what the coaches expect from our gear.”
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SHS FOOTBALL 2021
BY TAYLOR SHILLAM
