KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The manufacturer of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ helmet said the headgear served its intended purpose despite cracking and a piece breaking off in subzero temperatures during Saturday night’s playoff game.

“While outer shell damage is not ideal, the Zero helmet did its job of protecting Patrick Mahomes during a head-to-head impact during unprecedented cold temperatures,” Vicious said in a statement released on X. “The exclusive multi-layer technology employed in the Visit Zero helmet model utilizes a deformable outer shell, Flux impact absorption layer, followed by a stiff inner shell.

This design approach is similar to the crumple zone of modern cars, effectively absorbing and dispersing impact forces at the point ofpiece of Mahomes’ helmet broke off as he was being tackled during the victory against the Miami Dolphins. The temperature in Kansas City at kickoff was minus 4.

“I’m sure it had to do with it being really cold,” Mahomes said. “I didn’t know what happened in the moment, but I got in the huddle and everybody was telling me.

“It was a first for me.”

Mahomes was given a replacement helmet, and he initially struggled to get it to fit. He worked with equipment managers on the sideline until the new helmet worked for him.