Key Takeaways from Alabama Football Media Day
With college football season right around the corner, Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama squad is expected to do big things. In just his second season in the SEC, DeBoer has spent the offseason focused on rebuilding a championship culture and team chemistry.
Guardian Caps joined the team for Alabama football media day and their fan experience — here are some of our favorite takeaways from our time in Tuscaloosa.
Injuries Are a Buzzkill
After spring practice, sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams was sidelined due to a minor injury. With limits imposed on his participation, Williams had a renewed focus on strength, durability and recovery ahead of fall camp.
There’s been times where I’ve been at the highest of highs, and something like an injury can bring you down to ground zero. That’s just something that I never want to feel again.
The Best Ability is Availability
At a program like Alabama’s — where every rep, every player and every moment matters — keeping athletes healthy is priority number one.
The best ability is availability. If you’re not able to play because you’re hurt, then obviously you can’t produce.
I need to protect my body in order for me to sustain the level of play that I want to play at.
We’ve used Guardian Caps since day one to protect each other. I think it’s kind of cool, though, that that’s something we’ve been doing.
Life After Football Matters
At Alabama, football isn’t the only focus. DeBoer and his staff have made sure to prioritize player-mentor relationships and the ins and outs of life beyond the gridiron.
Our first job is to teach them the fundamentals of life and how to be great human beings. Here, it all starts with who you are, and that’s how they got here. They’re those types of people.
This is a short snapshot of their life. My role as a coach, I mean, I treat them like my sons. I want those guys to feel like it’s definitely more than football. The greatest thing about coaching for me is the time I have with my guys beyond their time here. If it was a football-only, transactional deal – I would fail as a coach.
Head Health Is Top of Mind
[Your head] is everything, because our head is all we’ve got, right? I’m blessed that I’m at a university that’s using that opportunity. I’m just grateful that they’re thinking about us and we’re staying safe.
I use my head almost every play. You go against big dudes like Kaydn Proctor; you’re going to get knocked around like pinballs. [The Guardian Cap] is keeping my head intact. I don’t have to worry about concussions as much or trying to really save my head. I’m playing faster.
Consistency Is Key
Whether it’s the weightroom, classroom or field, players at Alabama make sure consistency is always a part of the process.
I think it’s the consistency, the hard work and the accountability. You can take that, no matter what you do. If you show up every day, and your consistent, and you work your butt off – you’re going to pass a lot of people up.
Guardian Caps Help Protect Alabama and Thousands of Programs
I’m glad we’ve got Guardian Caps. They protect us a lot. The other day I gave a hit, I felt it, but I knew that Guardian Caps protect us from so much. If we didn’t have it on at practice, there would be a lot more injuries.
Used by all 32 NFL teams and nearly 500,000 athletes nationwide, Guardian Caps have become a staple not just at Alabama, but in every corner.
Honestly, I love [the Guardian Cap 2.0]. It's way lighter, super comfortable.
