The college football arms race is starting to heat up — by getting cooler.
A viral video emerged Wednesday showing several LSU players donning a seemingly normal helmet. But their reactions to the headgear demonstrate what could be yet another technological development in college football: air-conditioned helmets.
The helmets are equipped with "Cyclone v2 " technology from Tigeraire, a Baton Rouge, La.-based company that, per its website, "delivers revolutionary airflow acceleration technology for hard hats and football helmets." The technology can be installed in helmets to purportedly help with athlete performance.
The person behind the camera claims the Tigers will use them for both practices and games in 2023. Considering how hot it gets in the southern U.S. in August and September — when the Tigers have games scheduled in Orlando, Fla., Starkville, Miss. and of course Baton Rouge — it could make a difference in their on-field performance.
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Here's a look at the players as they put the helmets on:
"It feels hella good, actually," defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo says in the video.
Echoed tight end Mac Markway: "If I’m running in this, I ain’t sweating … at all. It’s like, cold."
With that, here's everything you need to know about the helmets and LSU's partnership with Tigeraire ahead of the 2023 college football season:
What is Tigeraire?
According to Tigeraire, the company was founded in 2020 with the purpose of making protective equipment more comfortable to wear. The company develops airflow products that purport to "help athletes, industrial workers and military personnel stay cool, enabling them to increase their performance and productivity."
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LSU air-conditioned football helmets, explained
Tigeraire does not design football helmets; instead, it develops the Cyclone v2, an air accelerator which can be installed inside protective equipment — football helmets included — to provide air flow to players' heads. As of now, the equipment can only be fitted on one of two approved helmet models: the Riddell Speedflex and Schutt F7.
Tigeraire said the technology is being used at all levels of football, including professionally. Its website also quotes former LSU receiver Ja'Marr Chase as saying, "Tigeraire keeps me cool and helps me get my wind back quicker."
The company also says it uses the "No. 1 strongest industrial grade plastic" in its products, meaning it shouldn't be damaged, cracked or broken in a normal football game if properly installed. Tigeraire claims a fully charged Cyclone v2 can last up to four hours before it needs to be recharged. It also claims that, under regular use, it can last up to four seasons.