Following Death Of Teen, Youth Football Players In W.Va. Could Get Safer Helmets

The death of an eighth-grade Boone County student, who suffered a head injury during football practice last month, prompted Gov. Jim Justice Wednesday to say he wants to keep young athletes safe.

One lawmaker is proposing a plan he wants the state to fund.

It was prompted, said state Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, by the tragic death of 13-year-old Cohen Craddock, who was wearing a helmet when he collapsed during August drills. 

Stuart – whose district includes Boone County – plans to introduce the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act in the next legislative session. It would mandate the use of guardian caps he says would help buffer the impact of rigorous play by as much as 20 percent.

“I want the NFL to partner with me and to partner with the Craddock family in making West Virginia the first state to mandate the use of guardian caps for youth,” Stuart said.  

Stuart wants the state to pay for the bubble-wrap like paddings. Justice says he fully supports safety measures but doesn’t know enough about the caps to weigh in on the plan.