Football is a high impact, physical and dangerous sport. With all those bodies flying around like they do, there are going to be some concussions. The football helmet as we know it was designed to reduce the chance of skull fracture not concussions. But this was long before we learned of the long term effect concussions can have on a player later in life. Through the years, technology has advanced and helmets have gotten better. But there are no rules in place that require the players to upgrade their helmets.
"Nearly 40 percent of NFL players last season wore a helmet model that got the second-lowest rating for reducing the risk of concussions in a study by Virginia Tech researchers."
As a fan I find this unacceptable. When I'm watching my favorite players bolting down the field, the last thing on my mind should be "is this multi-millon dollar athlete wearing sub-standard equipment?"

"last year that three helmet models -- two made by Riddell and one by Schutt -- met all three criteria for qualifying as a top-performing helmet when 16 were tested."
Three out of 16 are top performers. How about a new rule that requires one of these 3 helmets?

I know players are always looking for a competitive advantage. I've read an article at one point that most colts don't even wear half the pads available to be faster on the field.
News flash gentlemen, you're not helping your team on the INJURED RESERVE!
I would love to know how Austin Collie's helmet ranked last year as he's getting sandwiched running up the seam. Or if Bob Sanders was wearing quarterback pads during the one game he played last year.
Man up, suit up, wear your damn helmet!
Peace