First 5G-Connected Football Helmet Unveiled at Gallaudet University

AT&T has collaborated with Gallaudet University, a school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, to create the first 5G-connected football helmet.

The helmet has been designed to make games more inclusive by enabling on-field communication for athletes who use sign language. 

The design allows coaches to stream certain plays on a small lens inside a player’s helmet. This allows the player to identify the desired action without needing to confer with the coach.

The helmet was used for the first time during Gallaudet's home game against Hilbert College on Oct. 7.

AT&T brings its 5G capabilities to the partnership, enabling rapid, low-latency streaming that keeps up with the pace of the game.

"We work out the same way as every other college football program, we practice the same way, we compete the same way," said Chuck Goldstein, Gallaudet University’s coach. "The difference between coaching a hearing team compared to a Deaf team is first the communication. The AT&T 5G-connected helmet will change football."

"The new AT&T 5G-connected helmet will have a major impact on the game of football, especially for our deaf and hard of hearing players who lacked direct access to communications with their coaches during their high school years," said Shelby Bean, Gallaudet University’s special teams coordinator. "This will help to level the playing field for mainstream athletes. 

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“As a former player, I am very excited to see this innovative technology change our lives and the game of football itself."