Amanda Jacob

Russell Athletic introduces American football shoulder pad system made with Boeing 787 carbon fibre

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Russell Athletic brand ambassador and pro football wide receiver Pierre Garcon wears the CarbonTek shoulder pad system, with an exosketon made of 787 carbon fibre. He is shown inside a 787 Dreamliner carbon composite fuselage.
Russell Athletic brand ambassador and pro football wide receiver Pierre Garcon wears the CarbonTek shoulder pad system, with an exosketon made of 787 carbon fibre. He is shown inside a 787 Dreamliner carbon composite fuselage.
We are thrilled to partner with Boeing and discover new ways to utilise carbon fibre used on the 787 to make innovative, game-changing products for the sports industry.
Robby Davis, senior vice president and general manager, Russell Athletic

Video: Russell Athletic's CarbonTek with OS Techonlogy shoulder pad overview.

The companies will expand an initial collaboration that puts 787 carbon fibre into Russell's new CarbonTek football shoulder pad system.

The CarbonTek with OS Technology (patent-pending) shoulder pad system is said to have the sports industry's first exoskeleton made of aerospace-grade carbon fibre, which is thinner, stronger and approximately 10% lighter than competitors. The exoskeleton is moulded specifically to fit the athlete’s body.

Boeing markets surplus factory materials to meet its environmental and business goals and sees more opportunities to repurpose carbon fibre as it increases the use of composites in its commercial aircraft. Composite materials make up 50% of the primary structure of the 787 Dreamliner, including the fuselage and wing. The new Boeing 777X, scheduled for first delivery in 2020, will feature a composite wing.

Several elite collegiate players from Division I universities will be wearing the CarbonTek throughout the upcoming American football season, as well as Russell Athletic's three pro football ambassadors Pierre Garcon, Mark Ingram and Colt McCoy.