SALEM — State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) announced that this Sunday 27 professional players on both the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots teams will be wearing helmets made in Salem, Illinois. This year’s game will be played in Atlanta Georgia and be seen around the world in places from Canada and New Zealand to the United Kingdom and Thailand.

“I am proud that on the most watched event of the year for television, our southern Illinois community of Salem will be there on the field with each of the twenty-seven players who will be wearing helmets made right here in Illinois,” commented Rep. Blaine Wilhour. “Millions of football fans and fans of the commercial advertisements will see the quality work of people at the Salem plant.”

According to Schutt officials, the following players will be wearing Schutt helmets on Sunday:

Greg Zuerlein                          Marqul Christian                     Joe Cardona                James White

Brandin Cooks                        John Johnson III                     Stephen Gilmore         J.C. Jackson

Robert Woods                         Michael Brockers                    Ufomba Kamalu         Duke Dawson Jr.

Justin Davis                             Ethan Westbrooks                   Brian Hoyer

Gerald Everett                         Mark Barron                            Ryan Allen

Tyler Higbee                           Troy Hill                                  Phillip Dorsett

Lamarcus Joyner                     Sam Shields                            Ramon Humber

Nickell Robey-Coleman          Marcus Peters

“It is exciting to see the hard work and dedication of our employees on the biggest day of the year,” said Chris Himelick, plant manager at the Salem location.

According to Himelick, most of the players will be wearing the newest model of helmet that has been through the “Virginia Tech Testing” process and is the highest rated helmet on the market today.

One of the game announcers will be Eastern Illinois alumnus, Walter Peyton Award recipient, and former Dallas Cowboy quarterback, Tony Romo. Kick-off for Super Bowl 53 is set for 5:30pm.