Securing the green sticker on a football helmet signifies NFL/NFLPA certification for on-field use. This process is exclusive to helmet manufacturers.
Manufacturer Certification Process
- Submit Prototypes: Manufacturers provide helmet samples to NFL-approved independent laboratories.
- Laboratory Testing: Helmets undergo rigorous impact tests per NFL/NFLPA jointly developed protocols, including linear and rotational acceleration measurements across multiple impact locations and severities.
- Performance Benchmarking: Test results are compared against established biomechanical thresholds for head injury risk reduction.
- NFL/NFLPA Review: The league and players' association review laboratory data and certify models meeting performance standards.
- Annual Recertification: Manufacturers must resubmit helmets yearly; performance must remain consistent with original certification.
Sticker Application & Control
- NFL Issuance: Upon certification approval, the NFL supplies the manufacturer with uniquely serialized green stickers.
- Manufacturer Application: The manufacturer securely applies one green sticker to the rear lower-left quadrant of each certified helmet shell during production.
- Chain of Custody: Strict tracking ensures stickers are only applied to certified helmets shipped directly to NFL teams.
Critical Notes
- Player/Team Role: Players and teams cannot apply stickers; only newly issued, manufacturer-applied stickers are valid.
- Verification: Referees and league officials verify helmet compliance via the presence of the official, unaltered green sticker.
- Alteration Prohibition: Removing, defacing, or replicating the sticker voids certification and prohibits game use.
