Grad student becomes crusader to make sure helmets are inflated

Monday's health and safety news from the world of football:

• The Boston Globe profiled Carnegie Mellon graduate student Thomas Healy, who started a company, HeadSmart Labs, that aims to develop new tests for helmets used in contact sports, guidelines on how they should be worn, and benchmarks for when they should be replaced.

• WESA-FM in Pittsburgh reported how the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh have teamed up to test a concussion tool.

• The Baltimore Sun reported that Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings praised the NFLPA for approving a new drug testing policy that includes HGH testing.

• Forbes Magazine wrote that the NCAA has gotten serious about protecting its athletes with new concussion and safety guidelines.

• The Huffington Post looked at how the new laws that are trying to protect student athletes from head injuries and heat stroke.

• WLS-TV in Chicago reported that Illinois high school coaches face a deadline to pass concussion awareness training.

• the Innovative Athletic Performance Institute, which is trying to improve athletic performance while reducing injuries.

• at the wives of area high school football coaches.

• about his decision to let his son play tackle football.

• WTVM-TV in Columbus, Ga., featured an Opelika, Ala., man who is trying to create a helmet design that will eliminate concussions.

• WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., wrote about how Arlington County, Va., purchased new helmets for area high school teams.

• Norwalk's Katherine Snedaker, who has created a seminar for concussion management for schools.

-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor