The NFL introduced Friday that gamers will now be allowed to put on Guardian Caps, a 12-ounce gentle shell that matches over their helmets, throughout regular-season video games in an effort to scale back head accidents.
The league initially required offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers to put on the headgear throughout preseason exercises in 2022, and that checklist has since expanded to incorporate working backs, broad receivers and defensive backs.
Knowledge from the previous two years exhibits a 50 p.c discount in concussions amongst gamers carrying Guardian Caps throughout coaching camp, in comparison with the common of the 2018, 2019 and 2021 seasons, when the protecting headgear was not in place.
“We now have two years of knowledge exhibiting vital reductions in concussions amongst gamers carrying Guardian Caps in coaching, so gamers can be allowed to put on the cap throughout matches this coming season,” stated Jeff Miller, the NFL’s Government Vice President of Participant Well being and Security.
“As well as, this 12 months there are new helmets that provide as a lot – if no more – safety than another helmet mannequin mixed with a Guardian Cap. These developments signify substantial progress in our efforts to make the sport safer for gamers.”
Analysis has additionally proven that the pressure of a helmet-to-helmet influence decreases by 10 p.c when one participant wears a Guardian Cap, and a 20 p.c lower when two gamers put on the protecting gear. This is the reason greater than 300 schools and three,000 schools colleges throughout the nation use it.
Whereas most are one shade, some have staff logos on the edges and stripes within the center, just like the one the Georgia Bulldogs debuted throughout spring coaching in March. The present plan is for the NFL to additionally match the caps to the helmets throughout video games.
“We’re proud to be a part of enhancing outcomes for gamers and are grateful to the NFL for his or her funding in participant security,” stated Erin Hanson, founder and CEO of Guardian Improvements.
“Whereas we’re happy with our present merchandise and their efficiency on the sphere, we’ll proceed to iterate on the Guardian Cap to offer improved efficiency and aesthetics for the longer term.”