Coverage of the NFL in Guardian Caps
With training camps underway, there is one visible difference that stands out: For the first time, some players from all 32 NFL teams are wearing Guardian Caps; our padded helmet cover worn on over the shell of the helmet to the impact of hits. It’s the latest example of the league’s continued work to foster innovation that leads to better, safer protective equipment for players.
In all 2022 preseason practices up until the second preseason game, all offensive linemen, defensive linemen, tight ends, and linebackers are required to wear the Guardian Cap, providing additional impact protection during the period when the league sees the greatest concentration of helmet impacts.
Follow this blog to see the latest news surrounding the use of Caps in the NFL.
Recent News Coverage
Video Coverage of the NFL in Guardian Caps
Social Coverage of the NFL in Guardian Caps
Cardinals o-lineman's thoughts on the Guardian caps players are wearing on top of helmets: https://t.co/OO4yV61ejP
— José M. Romero (@RomeroJoseM) July 31, 2022
Helping protect from a career full of hits 🏈
— Guardian Caps (@Guardian_Caps) July 29, 2022
Dr. Allen Sills, the Chief Medical Officer of the @NFL joined the @PatMcAfeeShow to talk Guardian Caps and their help to the game’s best! pic.twitter.com/X8gPC1Owun
The four head coaches on the NFL Competition Committee – Frank Reich, Ron Rivera, Mike Tomlin and Mike Vrabel – recommended players wear Guardian Caps this training camp.
— NFL (@NFL) July 29, 2022
Here’s why, in their own words. pic.twitter.com/kJC6Wzyj52
Safety is the priority 💪🏾 Coach Mike Tomlin of the Steelers is in on Guardian Caps as the Steelers get started at training camp.
— Guardian Caps (@Guardian_Caps) July 26, 2022
“I’m morally obligated to keep this group safe, and you’re going to get that commitment from me.” 🏈
🎥: @steelers pic.twitter.com/lm5wvrLRPq
T.J. Watt is applying that pressure 😡 The reigning DPOY is looking to repeat in 2022 🎥: @steelers @_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/YnS7FmaGFI
— Guardian Caps (@Guardian_Caps) July 25, 2022
Guardian Caps History with the NFL
The Guardian Cap was created in 2010 to address the clear need to advance the standard football helmet, which has changed little since the 1960’s. Erin and Lee Hanson, owners of The Hanson Group LLC, utilized their 20+ years in the material science business to engineer, patent, and manufacture the Guardian Cap.
They began the process consulting with another company on a fully encompassed soft-shelled helmet. They presented the helmet to football executives but did not get the buy in. Erin and Lee realized that changing the look and sound of the game was a big “no” for a lot of football players, fans, and coaches. They decided to take to market the affordable Guardian Cap that could be easily attached to the helmet during practices and taken off during games. Reducing impact in practice was more than nothing.
The Guardian team’s focus began with the youth. When Clemson and other power teams started wearing Guardian Caps in practices, more high school teams and youth leagues started inquiring. In 2017, Guardian won the NFL HeadHealthTECH Challenge. In 2020, the Guardian Cap was seen on multiple NFL teams for practices and after a year of data collection and lab testing that showed a “statistically significant” improvement over bare helmets alone, the NFL permitted Guardian Caps in the 2021 season. In early 2022, the NFL owners announced that the League would be mandating the use of Guardian Caps during the early part of 2022 training camp for all OL, DL, TEs, and LBs.
Guardian continues to push the importance reducing impacts in youth – pro practices.
Guardian Caps are being used by over 100,000+ athletes nationwide to address impacts. See teams that wear Guardian Caps to reduce sub-concussive impacts in practices. To request more information, contact our team.
