Riddell

padding, and multi-inflation point helmets to enhance player safety and performance. Today, Riddell's equipment is widely used across all levels of football, from youth leagues to the NFL, and extends to other sports like baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, and track and field. The company is headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, and remains committed to advancing sports safety through continuous innovation and community engagement.

Philosophy

Riddell is dedicated to making sporting equipment safer, better, and easier to use for athletes. The brand focuses on game-changing innovations in helmet technology and protective equipment that enhance on-field performance while giving back to the football community. Their commitment is to continuous improvement in sports safety and athlete protection.

Sustainability

Information: No explicit sustainability initiatives or policies were detailed in the provided sources. The brand's focus is primarily on innovation in safety and performance in sports equipment.

Founders

John Tate Riddell, Background: Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Evanston Township High School; inventor of the removable screw-in cleat and the first plastic suspension helmet.. Gerard Earl Morgan, Background: Mechanical engineer, son-in-law of John Tate Riddell, acted as CEO after Riddell's passing until the company's sale in 1975; contributed to over 60 patents including helmet designs and cleats.

Background

Founded in 1927 (or 1929 in some sources) by John Tate Riddell, the company initially specialized in football cleats before pioneering plastic helmets. Riddell helmets became standard in professional football post-World War II. The company evolved to focus primarily on helmets and shoes by the mid-1970s, supplying nearly all NFL teams. Ownership transitioned to private equity firm Fenway Partners in 2003. Riddell has a history of patent litigation defending its innovations and continues to lead in helmet safety technology.

History

John Tate Riddell invented the removable cleat and the plastic suspension helmet in 1939, which was used by the U.S. military during WWII. The company introduced facemasks in the 1950s, air-filled padding in the 1960s, and helmets with multiple inflation points in the 1990s. Riddell grew to dominate the professional football helmet market by the late 1940s and expanded product lines to baseball helmets and athletic shoes. In 2008, Dan Arment became president, continuing the legacy of innovation. The company has been involved in significant patent litigation, notably winning against Schutt Sports. Riddell relocated its headquarters to Des Plaines, Illinois, in 2017.