With Guardian Caps mandatory for the first time in training camp practices, photos and videos of players wearing the foam helmet coverings are proliferating. As explained on Thursday, they’re mandatory for offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends at all practices through the second preseason game.
Inevitably, some players aren’t happy with the change.
Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt didn’t necessarily complain about it. But he did describe the “helmet for your helmet” as a “beehive on my head.”
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant‘s comments were far closer to an official complaint.
“I’m going to be honest with you, I dislike them a lot,” Fant told reporters on Thursday. “I know they’re NFL mandated, so I’m not going to say too much. I’m not a fan of them, but some other people may be. I understand why, it’s just kind of bulky and I can see the little straps on my facemask and stuff which bothers me a little bit, but we’re going with it.”
He acknowledged that the change isn’t major, but that it’s still a change.
“It’s not heavy, it’s foam honestly, so it doesn’t really make too much of a difference of weight, but it’s there, that’s the only way to describe it,” Fant said. “It’s just one of those things that’s a little bit of an inconvenience but we’re going to roll with it. I know in the game I won’t have to wear it, so we’ll make it work.”
Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett gushed about the Guardian Caps on Wednesday, despite acknowledging that “they are not necessarily the best fashion statement.” However, Hackett mentioned a hidden benefit for the foam helmet coverings beyond the potential reduction in head injuries for the players who are far more likely to have helmet-to-helmet contact during practices.
“I think it gives a little bit more protection to the quarterback if, all of a sudden, his hand comes forward, and it’s a little bit softer than a helmet,” Hackett said.
That’s a great point. Despite quarterbacks being insulated from getting hit during practice, the follow through when throwing a pass sometimes results a hand striking a helmet. Through the first two preseason games, that hand won’t hit something quite as solid, at least not during practice.
That makes it an even better device for promoting player safety, even if it is unsightly. If it weren’t, it probably would be required for preseason games — and maybe even for the games that count.
If the league is that concerned with safety they should just mandate each player is in a bubble.
Why not use a pad like Mark Kelso of the Bills or Steve Wallace on the 49ers? Even had a logo on the sides because it was game used.
I wonder if there is ever going to be something akin to the LIV Golf organization with pro football. An organization that would greatly increase player compensation while going back to older rules and a more brutal game.
Jarret Goff and Mathew Stafford had constant problems with hand to helmet injuries.lets see….what common connection would those two have…..they both played with a lousy O-line? or possibly 2?
As fans, we have joked about the league putting players in bubble wrap, but it is actually happening.
The existing helmet certainly offers protection to the wearer, but also acts as something of a projectile weapon to all others. I’d be interested to see how head injuries change if they wore something like this instead of helmets in games. But change is hard.
I think they also will make it harder for the QB to see his receivers
Helmets look like something you see on mario brothers games.
Still unsure why we’re not having earnest discussions about ditching the helmets entirely. Not only would players be far less inclined to lead with their heads, but their visibilities would be greatly improved.
It’s a good move to start to normalize these. The more people see them, the more likely they are to start to see more use at lower levels (from pee-wee to college). I wonder if we’ll eventually hit a point where they are mandated, but veterans are exempt- like when they started making hockey players where helmets in the 80’s.
They will lead to more CTE head injuries unless they are mandated for all activities. This is because players will learn they can crack heads even harder without pain. These habits will carry into games where the extra protection will be gone, extra adrenaline will be coursing and BOOM, one more headache adds to the CTE. It is truly as if they wore helmets in practice, but not in games.
The foam helmet may keep Jimmy G from finding a landing spot.
Then sign a waiver that you won’t sue the NFL and promise to stop complaining about player safety.
Why doesn’t the NFL also mandate the kneww braces we see in the NCAA for linemen? It can’t all just be about head-injury lawsuits! If they’re trying to protect players, lower leg injuries is a no-brainer!
Why doesn’t the NFL also mandate the knee braces we see in the NCAA for linemen? It can’t all just be about head-injury lawsuits! If they’re trying to protect players, lower leg injuries is a no-brainer!
Did they get them from Star Wars?
So…let me get this straight.
We need helmets with padding on the inside AND the outside for player safety.
But some of the players who have to wear them — who are a part of the same union that collectively bargained for reduced practice time on the grounds that it adds to player safety, because, in their view, the league wasn’t doing enough about that — are complaining about the extra padding because it doesn’t look cool or because…gasp…they can see the “little straps?”
Makes players look like Brainiacs!
Time to move to padded rubber helmets – won’t look as good as the metal ones, but will prevent leading with the head and CTE
For the money that they make, I’d put a jock strap on my helmet !!!
golions1 says: July 29, 2022 at 8:17 am I think they also will make it harder for the QB to see his receivers __________________________________________________
Six foot QB’s just became five foot QB’s…
therealtrenches says: July 29, 2022 at 9:21 am So…let me get this straight.
We need helmets with padding on the inside AND the outside for player safety.
But some of the players who have to wear them — who are a part of the same union that collectively bargained for reduced practice time on the grounds that it adds to player safety, because, in their view, the league wasn’t doing enough about that — are complaining about the extra padding because it doesn’t look cool or because…gasp…they can see the “little straps?”
Okay then. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ You underestimate the power of vanity. No one wants to look silly doing something, especially when executing their profession. Look at the backlash of asking people to wear a mask caused. It was a minor inconvenience for most people, but you’d thought people were being asked to cut something off.
charger383 says: July 29, 2022 at 9:12 am Did they get them from Star Wars?
Football Uniforms are not a FASHION STATEMENT gents,… if they help prevent concussions during training camp,… I’m all for it.
Go back to leather helmets (or just go with all soft shell helmets). Risk Compensation theory says that people will adjust their risk taking behavior to the level of protection they believe they have. So for example studies have shown that people drive faster when they wear seatbelts. If players have to wear soft helmets, then they are far more likely to stop using their helmets as battering rams against each other. Soft shell helmets are pretty much how it is in Rugby; tackling leading with a shoulder instead of their head….which is the kind of tackling the NFL has been encouraging recently.
Just switch to flag football and be done with it.
Each team should be able to customize theirs so they don’t look so stupid…
You’re getting paid millions and you’re still complaining about having to wear and extra piece of uniform for only 3 weeks????!!!!!
If it is the aesthetic of the padding…I think the design can be worked upon. However, just the idea that Noah Fant is being vain about this is mind boggling. Unbelievable.
Go back to leather helmets (or just go with all soft shell helmets) ==========
Who is going to lead with their head at that point?
Ban the ones that do.
I thought this was about Cleveland Baseball team caps .
Tony Awesome says: July 29, 2022 at 10:56 am Football Uniforms are not a FASHION STATEMENT gents,… if they help prevent concussions during training camp,… I’m all for it._________________________________________________ Really? Every year we see most popular jersey which is fashion. We see what team is the most popular team which goes to logos and jerseys and that is fashion. Neon Deion, Billy White Shoes Johnson, just to name two off the bat. Heck, even the long hair and mouth guards are fashion.
Next step is to make Guardian Caps in team colors and add team logos. The caps look goofy, but CTE is real.
Fant made fair and honest complaint seems the NFL did a poor job of allowing such a shabby item with its flaws so fix it .
People laughed at the first baseball players that wore gloves and the first football players that wore helmets, too. It’s just a new safety thing that needs to be normalized.
And football went to leather helmets, and kept increasing safety from there, because players were dying on the field.
If safety is the issue, why not convert to flag football : the NFFL. It would be interesting to see a league that operates on pure SPEED. One of these startup leagues should consider having some of its games with flag football rules.
*Sigh* All the tough guy talk about bubble-wrapped players from those who have never played a single down of professional football. Or even college ball. Or varsity high school ball.
It would be hilarious to see their reaction to getting de-cleated by an Erik Kendricks or lit up by a DB after going up for a pass.
I’m all for player safety. More padding in practice makes sense. If you can avoid hurting yourself or teammates with extra padding in practice teams would be smart to mandate it. I get that there’s an inherent risk of injury in professional football, much like many of life’s activities. We all choose to do dangerous activities. Big mountain skiing, snorkeling, auto racing, bear wrestling, going on rides at the local carnival…whatever it is. These guys chose football, and are paid handsomely for it. I think this is a minor inconvenience that will improve and become normal before long.
Seems like they could come up with something similar that didn’t detract from the player’s vision.
Who cares what they look like if they can keep players’ brains whole?
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