Libby Bondi/Fourth Estate

How the controversial head covers are actually the best bet in the battle of safety for players in the NFL

BY LIBBY BONDI, STAFF WRITER

Since the creation of the league, the National Football League (NFL) has recognized that football is a rough, contact sport that can result in gruesome injuries.  Within recent seasons, severe head injuries have become increasingly common, proving Guardian Caps are needed in games now more than ever.

Created in 2010 by Erin and Lee Hanson, owners of Guardian Sports and the Hanson Group LLC, the Guardian Cap acts as a protective sleeve with padding, fitting securely over the entirety of the player’s helmet.

Since 2022, certain players have been required to wear these caps during training camp practices; however, they are not required during regular season games. Players can opt out of the Guardian Cap if they choose another helmet model that provides equal protection.

Despite this, Guardian Caps are one of the best options the sport has seen for preventing concussions. The cap diminishes the chances of a concussion by almost 50% in high game speed and is cost effective. These caps range from $60 to $70, while advanced helmets for concussion-prone players are almost $900. In addition, the lightweight design is more realistic than the mentioned heavy-duty helmets, sliding over the helmet like it’s barely there.

The biggest issue keeping the Guardian Cap from appearing on the TV screen is bad aesthetics. The extra padding that makes them safer causes them to look bulky and silly.

Tua Tagovailoa, whose four concussions have caused the league to change its regulations, opted against the Guardian Cap because of the cap’s bad aesthetics, saying, “It’s a personal choice.” While many fans have disapproved of Tagovailoa’s decision, nicknaming him the “poster boy” for concussions, many players agree.

Many men throughout the league believe in swagger over safety, that there’s a certain “look good, play good” ideal to adhere to. The heat also keeps players from wearing this gear full time. Since it covers the entire helmet, including the vents, heat struggles to escape, leaving players overheated quicker than with the helmet by itself.

With a few technical adjustments and cosmetic improvements, I believe the Guardian Cap can help NFL players continue their careers and lives in a healthy and safe way.