The National Football League has been using Guardian Caps during training camp since 2020 to help lower the number of concussions among players. The results have been so promising that the league has now announced that players will be allowed to wear Guardian Caps during the season as well. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, revealed in a recent webinar that there has been a significant reduction in concussions among players who wore Guardian Caps during training camp. This positive impact has led to the caps becoming a familiar and accepted piece of equipment among NFL players.
The Guardian Cap was invented in 2011 and was introduced to the NFL two years ago. Since then, there has been a more than 50% reduction in concussions during training camp practices compared to the average from previous years. The league has stated that when both players involved in helmet-to-helmet contact are wearing the cap, the force of impact is lowered by at least 20%, and 10% if only one player is wearing it. This reduction in force has contributed to the decrease in concussions seen during training camp practices in recent years.
In 2023, the NFL reported that the use of Guardian Caps during training camp practices helped the league achieve a seven-year low in concussions. This positive outcome has been credited to the effectiveness of the caps in reducing the force of impact during collisions. Erin Hanson, the Founder and CEO of Guardian Innovations, expressed gratitude to the NFL for investing in player safety and stated that they will continue to improve and iterate on the Guardian Cap to provide even better performance and aesthetics in the future.
The acceptance and effectiveness of Guardian Caps among NFL players have made them a routine part of practice equipment. Brendan Burger, the equipment director of the Los Angeles Rams, stated that players have seen the data and know that the caps work in reducing head impacts. The fact that the caps have become second nature to players speaks to their efficacy in protecting against concussions. The potential for a Guardian Cap to be worn during an actual game this year underscores the confidence and trust that players and the league have in the protective capabilities of the caps.
Overall, the introduction of Guardian Caps in the NFL has had a positive impact on player safety by reducing the number of concussions experienced during training camp practices. The league’s decision to allow players to wear these caps during the season further emphasizes the effectiveness and acceptance of the caps among players and teams. With ongoing efforts to improve the performance and aesthetics of the Guardian Cap, the NFL and Guardian Innovations are committed to continuously enhancing player safety and protection on the field.
