VICIS, the manufacturer of Patrick Mahomes’ helmet, asserts that the equipment did not fail despite breaking during the Kansas City Chiefs’ wild-card victory over the Miami Dolphins.
In a statement on Tuesday, VICIS acknowledged that extreme conditions, as seen in Saturday evening’s NFL playoff game, are likely to test even the highest-performing products. The company stated, “While outer shell damage is not ideal, the ZERO2 helmet performed its duty in protecting Patrick Mahomes during a head-to-head impact in unprecedented cold temperatures.”
VICIS explained that the VICIS ZERO2 helmet model employs exclusive multi-layer technology, featuring a deformable outer shell, an RFLX impact-absorption layer, and a stiff inner shell. This design, akin to the crumple zone in modern cars, effectively absorbs and disperses impact forces at the point of contact.
“Extreme conditions like those experienced in Saturday evening’s NFL playoff game are bound to test the limits of even the highest-performing products,” VICIS said in a statement Tuesday. “While outer shell damage is not ideal, the ZERO2 helmet did its job of protecting Patrick Mahomes during a head-to-head impact in unprecedented cold temperatures.”
Patrick Mahomes, unaware that his helmet had shattered during the hit, commented postgame, “I didn’t know it happened in the moment, but I got in the huddle, everyone was telling me, and I was like, ‘I got y’all, but I’m just not coming out the game.'” However, officials insisted that the Chiefs quarterback replace his helmet after the play.
Looking ahead, Mahomes and the Chiefs are set to face the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round, with kickoff scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
