The NFL has approved Guardian Caps during games to lessen head injuries
The NFL has approved Guardian Caps during games to lessen head injuries and promote innovation in equipment technology.
During the 2024 preseason, some players, notably Jonathan Taylor, the standout running back for the Indianapolis Colts, started wearing the helmet in games. During his opening game of the season against the Chicago Bears, Josh Whyle of the Tennessee Titans decided to wear a Guardian Cap.
Here are further specifics regarding the protective headwear.
What is a Guardian cap?
Guardian caps are large soft-shell pads worn over football helmets to reduce the risk of concussions and other head injuries during play.
How effective are Guardian Caps?
NFL research suggests the cap can absorb as little as 10% of the force from a hitch.
Do NFL players have to wear Guardian Cap?
During training camp drills, Guardian cap are mandatory for NFL players. In 2024, they will have the opportunity to wear them to a game for the first time.
When were Guardian Caps produced?
Erin and Lee Hanson founded Guardian Sports in 2011 to create the best sports gear possible to safeguard athletes. In 2010, they were initially contacted about creating a flexible helmet shell.
Guardian Sports was established at the same time that a Pittsburgh injury law company filed the first-ever concussion lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of 120 former players.
What changes have Guardian Caps undergone over time?
Football sessions have been using Guardian Caps since 2015. The original cap was fastened with a fixed strap, however the straps were brittle and frequently broke when the cap moved. Even with the elastic straps added, the face mask would still come loose from the straps.
To provide double reinforcement, a rubber flap was put over the straps in 2017 along with Velcro. To encourage the development of equipment, the league funded the NFL HeadHealthTECH Challenge, which the cap won in that year.
The league has since conducted extensive testing on the cap. The Guardian NXT cap that is currently in use was created especially for the NFL. It has extra padding that “floats” at the helmet’s top. To lower the risk of a neck injury, the floating helps the cap move with the helmet.