Minnesota Vikings Percy Harvin Joins Shock Doctor® Team

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Minneapolis-based Shock Doctor® – the authentic market leader and creators of innovative, unique performance-driven sports protection and the undisputed leader in mouthguard technology – announced today that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin will join its Team Shock Doctor, an elite group of athletes who use Shock Doctor sports protective gear.  Harvin will have access to wear the full line of Shock Doctor's performance-driven sports protection including the Shock Doctor Ultra Carbon Chin Strap and full line of superior mouthguards – during practices and while competing on the football field.  He will also serve as an advisor, working with Shock Doctor's research and development team, to provide feedback from his experiences as a pro competitor using Shock Doctor products.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110810/CG49182)

Harvin joins a growing roster of pro athletes who have discovered that Shock Doctor's revolutionary products are proving to be vital for better training and improved performance.  From NFL football players to NHL hockey players, from MLB players to NCAA football, hockey and lacrosse teams, athletes worldwide who want superior sports protection combined with performance enhancement are using Shock Doctor products ranging from mouthguards to base layer protection apparel. "This partnership is a great match because Percy is at the top of his game and a leader in his sport, and Shock Doctor is the leader in mouthguard technology.  Together, we will continue to develop innovative sports protection that transforms the category," said Tony Armand, CEO of Shock Doctor.

"I wanted to partner with Shock Doctor because I know they design and produce best-in-class sports protection," said Harvin.  "When I'm competing, I want to be able to focus on the game and performing my best."  Harvin, who was named to the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl Selection, was also awarded the 2009 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year.  In addition, he was also a 2008 AFCA First Team All-American and was a 2006 NCAA Division 1 Football Champion.

During his college career he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, awarded All-SEC first team honors, and was a Heisman Trophy contender.  He recorded the most touchdowns ever by a receiver at the University of Florida with 32.

"By wearing Shock Doctor's exceptional mouthguards and Ultra Carbon Chin Strap on the football field, Percy will benefit while reinforcing that athletes need to understand the importance of using high quality sports protection," said Jay Turkbas, Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing for Shock Doctor.  "Plus, he will be giving us feedback we can use as we continue to develop products that protect athletes while enabling them to concentrate on their performance.  Athletes at all levels of ability will benefit from this."

As an expert in mouthguard science, performance and safety, Shock Doctor represents 90 percent dollar share of the mouthguard category at sports retailers (Source: SportsScanINFO - Sports Retailers 52 Weeks Ending 5.22.2011.)  The company designs and produces the most comfortable, ultra protective mouthguards available, keeping the focus on playing a sport, not wearing a mouthguard.  Some models of Shock Doctor mouthguards use Shock Doctor's exclusive MORA (Mandibular Orthopedic Repositioning Appliance) performance enhancement technology to position the lower jaw down and forward to allow optimal muscular function of head and neck muscles. This has been shown in independent studies to translate to an increase in overall muscular strength and improved athletic performance.  Harvin will be able to choose from an array of Shock Doctor's top-quality mouthguards, including the new Nano 3D Mouthguard with the ultimate self-fit and the Custom Mouthguard with its custom quality fit designed and individually made for each athlete in the exclusive Shock Doctor Dental Lab.  All Shock Doctor mouthguards are designed to stay firmly and comfortably in place, making it easier to breathe, speak and focus on the game.

Shock Doctor's Ultra Carbon Chin Strap has a 4-Point High/Low System that results in a continuous, high strength helmet chin strap for multi-stage impact protection.  Its Triple Grip no-slip snaps ensure the chin cup stays put, and the X-STATIC® liner is removable, washable and anti-microbial which eliminates 99.9 percent of odor causing bacteria in less than one hour of exposure.

About Shock Doctor

Shock Doctor is known as the undisputed leader in mouthguard technology and considered the leading innovator in sports protection around the globe. Their belief in combining design and technology to achieve better protection and performance is now trusted by fearless athletes in a growing number of products and sports, from youth to amateur to pro. Learn more at www.shockdoctor.com.  Follow Shock Doctor on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Shock Doctor