At Prospect Heights Middle School, football isn’t just a game; it’s a passion, a learning experience, and a place where young athletes grow both on and off the field. This season, the Yellow Jackets took an inspiring step to ensure every player could enjoy the sport they love while staying safe.

Deidra Turner is the assistant football coach, team medic, and mother of a player. She knows firsthand the challenges young athletes face as they move from youth leagues to middle school, where hits are harder and players are bigger. Wanting to protect her son, she introduced Guardian Caps to the team, starting with just him.

But soon, a single moment changed everything. On the very day her son received his Guardian Cap, a sixth-grade player suffered a severe concussion during practice. This moment sparked a bigger mission: protecting the entire team. With determination and the support of the community, Deidra connected with Chris Woody, MidAtlantic Sales Manager at Guardian, whose passion for concussion awareness and prevention inspired her to dream bigger. That singular phone call changed everything for the football team. Together, they developed a plan to equip all 40 players with Guardian Caps, even on a tight budget.

The response from the Prospect Heights community was immediate and heartwarming. In the first week, nearly half of the funding was raised, allowing the team to install their new Guardian Caps over the holiday weekend. The players’ reactions said it all: surprise, joy, and gratitude toward everyone who made “Project Protect Prospect” possible. Chris was even named an honorary Yellow Jacket for his dedication to the team’s safety.

The Yellow Jackets adopted a motto during summer conditioning that captures the heart of their mission: “It’s bigger than football.” It’s about smarter, safer sports, keeping kids protected on the field so they can succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Prospect Heights Middle School is proud to partner with an organization that shares its commitment to youth development and safety. With the community’s support and a shared vision for safer sports, the Yellow Jackets are setting an example for other teams, showing that protecting young athletes is truly a team effort.