By Joshua Bass

With Morehouse College’s Maroon Tigers on the cusp of another football season, Christmas came early. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation provided the Tigers with brand-new helmets.

The state-of-the-art helmets feature the latest technology to ensure player health and safety. According to the National Institutes of Health, between 1.6 and 3.8 million concussions occur each year in the United States as a result of sports or recreational activities.

“We are proud to support the football programs at these historic institutions through this grant,” said Chris Millman, senior vice president of community engagement and sports philanthropy at AMB Sports and Entertainment, via DaHouseNation. “Player health and safety is paramount for athletes at all levels of football.”

For Harold Ellis, Morehouse’s director of athletics, the gift signals the beginning of a strong, purposeful partnership.

“We appreciate the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons for their generous gift and for forging a partnership of purpose with Morehouse,” Ellis said.

This donation is more than just new equipment; it’s a major boost for players like quarterback Khamar Carlisle.

“It’s a huge confidence boost knowing an NFL organization sees value in investing in us,” Carlisle said. “As a player, having the Falcons donate new helmets equipped with the latest technology means a lot more than just receiving new gear; it shows us that people believe in our potential.”

Heading into one of his final seasons with the Maroon Tigers, Carlisle said the gift is motivation to raise his game.

“The upgraded helmets not only help protect us—they motivate us to perform at a higher level,” he said.

The Maroon Tigers’ first game of the season is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, Aug. 30, against Johnson C. Smith University at Harvard Stadium in Boston, MA.