“The first time we put the [hockey] helmet on the dummy, the lab tech actually turned to us and said, ‘Get ready for this, because it’s not like the football hit.’”

Carter Hogg
Founder and CEO of G8RTech and football player at Johns Hopkins University
.…on testing his concussion-reducing G8RSkin balaclava-type headwear, via Texas Monthly.

G8RSkin Shiesty

Last summer, Dallas Innovates’ Glenn Hunter wrote about G8RSkin, balaclava-like headwear designed to be worn under helmets to reduce concussions in contact sports. It’s made and sold by Dallas-based G8RTech, founded by CEO Carter Hogg, a Johns Hopkins University football player. Carter was inspired to develop the product after his brother FJ suffered a football career-ending concussion during a college football conference championship game.

Since its initial introduction for football players, G8RTech has continued to innovate. Last fall, the startup rolled out its initial product for ice hockey players, G8RSkin Ice. And it recently launched lighter-weight headwear, G8RSkin Shiesty, which is five millimeters thick and weighs just eight ounces. 

A new Texas Monthly story says the startup’s latest G8RSkin product reduces the chance of concussion by as much as 79%, according to a rating by the Southern Impact Research Center, which found the device provides the most effective protection on impacts to the top of the helmet.

Hogg told TM he’s concerned that many young people are avoiding contact sports, and missing out on their life-changing impact.

“People are choosing to not play these sports,” he told TM. “But ask anyone who has played and they’ll say it has a profound impact on your life and how you operate and tackle issues and work together as a team. There are so many amazing life lessons that the sport is able to teach you.”

For more of who said what about all things North Texas, check out Every Last Word.

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