Provide names of other journalists involved.
Director of News: Vince Doria Sr. Coordinating Producer: Dwayne Bray Coordinating Producer: Tim Hays Reporter: Steve Delsohn Producer: Rayna Banks Editor: Steve McCarthy Animator: Nick Waligorski
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
1/29/2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Each year in the U.S., about 1.7 million used sporting helmets are reconditioned for future use. Reconditioning includes the cleaning and replacement of worn-out or insufficient parts and the great majority of these reconditioned helmets are used at the high school level or younger. But, as Outside the Lines reports, there are questions about whether these helmets are adequately inspected and repaired. Reporter Steve Delsohn and producer Rayna Banks spoke with numerous people in the reconditioning business and learned that some helmets are rushed through the process and returned to schools still in sub-standard condition.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
No FOI or public records act requests were necessary, but internet resources such as monster.com were used to find former employees in the reconditioning business.
Explain types of human sources used.
Reporter Steve Delsohn and Producer Rayna Banks spoke with numerous people in the reconditioning industry–current and former employees, company owners, and sales representatives. They also talked to parents of high school players, high school players themselves, as well as coaches, athletic directors, equipment managers and athletic trainers.
Results:
One current employee and one former employee revealed on-camera that helmets at the youth and high school levels are often rushed through the reconditioning process, especially during the “busy season” each summer. These helmets are then returned in sub-standard condition, which some schools and youth leagues detect but many do not. The worn-out helmet parts (foam pads, chin straps, face masks, nuts and bolts) that reconditioners are paid to replace are frequently replaced by older and shabbier parts that have accumulated at the facility. At other times faulty parts are not replaced at all, as a way to cut costs and boost profits for the companies. In other instances, parts are removed for cleaning or inspection and then returned to different helmets. All this “mixing and matching” compromises the helmets worn by young players, which can increase the chances of concussion.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
N/a
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
N/a