Photo Credit: NFL.com
The NFL has permitted a new helmet technology called the Guardian Cap for all positions (except for quarterbacks or specialists) during live, regular season games. The caps are designed to provide players with enhanced head protection and reduce the risk of concussions. First introduced in 2020, Guardian Caps were tested during training camps and all NFL periods: off-seasons, regular seasons, pre-season and post. Scientists Erin and Lee Hanson first designed the Guardian Cap in 2011. Their wearable tech was created to feature an innovative outer layer that reduces impact forces, addressing ongoing concerns over player safety and head injuries.
This season, the Guardian Caps will be worn during practices by linemen, linebackers, and tight ends—the positions most vulnerable to high-impact hits. But not all players are with it. Take Miami Dolphins QB, Tua Tagovailoa; he has decided not to wear a Guardian Cap (despite experiencing three concussions), opting instead for a helmet the NFL tags as “Guardian Cap optional.”
The caps definitely stand out and might dull the rugged look of the sport: a rounded, cushion-like foam layer is added over the original helmet; the NFL believes the added padding could reduce impact severity by up to 10%, an impressive stride in player safety. The Guardian Cap, a soft, padded exterior attachment, is designed to absorb and disperse collision forces, offering an extra layer of defense against head injuries. If both players wear the cap, impact severity could be reduced by at least 20%.
This commitment by the NFL marks a progressive move to prioritize player health, responding to growing demands for safer playing conditions as awareness of long-term brain health continues to increase.
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