Football gear manufacturer Riddell shouldn’t bear any responsibility in the death of NFL Viking Korey Stringer.

His widow is suing the company alleging the helmets and shoulder pads have design problems and should have a heat warning on them. A district court judge dismissed the design claim but ruled in favor of the warning.

The trial is now set for Nov. 2 in Ohio.

Sad as Stringer’s passing was, whether the pads bore a printed warning would not have changed how long the players were required to practice in the heat.

If helmets and pads were to be required to bear such warnings, what’s not to stop the same requirement the same for winter coats, stocking caps, backpacks, military uniforms and other heavy attire.

There is a common awareness human beings have had since time immemorial that the more garments you wear the hotter you get.

It’s almost akin to suing the gun maker after being struck by a bullet. It’s common knowledge that misuse can kill.

(Roll the tape: “Guns don’t kill people …”)

The helmet and pads didn’t kill Stringer. It was the length of time he was required to practice while facing the Minnesota summer heat.

Stringer’s widow has reached a settlement with the NFL and received a pledge from the league to support the prevention of heat illness. That was the right course of action. Suing Riddell seems unwarranted.