Football helmet with impact attenuation system

A protective sports helmet to be worn by a wearer, the helmet comprising:

• an outer shell including:
• a crown portion defining an upper region of the shell;
• a front portion extending generally forwardly and downwardly from the crown portion, the front portion having a lower frontal shell region that is adjacent a lower frontal edge of the shell;
• left and right side portions extending generally downwardly and laterally from the crown portion, and wherein the lower frontal edge extends continuously between the left and right side portions;
• a rear portion extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the crown portion;
• a continuous gap formed in the front portion of the shell, the continuous gap having a first gap segment that extends towards the lower frontal edge of the shell and a second gap segment that extends from the first segment towards one of the left and right side portions of the shell;
• and,
• an impact attenuation member formed in the front portion of the shell adjacent and above the lower frontal shell region, wherein an extent of the impact attenuation member is positioned adjacent to the first and second gap segments of the continuous gap.

A protective sports helmet to be worn by a wearer, the helmet comprising:

• a shell including:
• a crown portion defining an upper region of the shell;
• a front portion extending generally forwardly and downwardly from the crown portion, the front portion having a continuous lower frontal edge;
• left and right side portions extending generally downwardly and laterally from the crown portion, each of the left and right side portions having an ear flap configured to overlie an ear of the player wearing the helmet, and wherein the continuous lower frontal edge extends between the left and right side portion;
• a rear portion extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the crown portion, the rear portion having a continuous lower rear edge extending between the left and right side portions;
• and
• a first impact attenuation member that is both:
• (i) formed above the continuous lower frontal edge and (ii) partially surrounded by a frontal gap formed through the front portion of the shell;
• an energy attenuation assembly positioned within the shell, the energy attenuation assembly having a front energy attenuation member that underlies the frontal gap.