Guardian Caps Will Be Optional In Regular Season NFL Games

Player safety is always a top concern when it comes to playing in the NFL. Concerns were ratcheted up when Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was first diagnosed in an NFL player in 2002. And it has since been confirmed by postmortem examination in dozens of American athletes. In light of that, the NFL announced a change today. Now players can wear Guardian Caps during regular-season games. The hope is to increase player health and safety and prevent head injuries.

We questioned why the NFL wasn’t using the Guardian Cap in regular season games. Previously they had only been used during training camps prior to the 2022 season. In 2023 they were mandated for use at every preseason practice, as well as every regular-season and postseason practice with contact. So with the announcement it seems that the NFL’s goal is to reduce player risk. They also want to continue to drive innovations in equipment technology. Therefore, Guardian Caps have been authorized for in-game use this season.

The following statement was also released:

“We now have two years of data showing significant concussion reductions among players who wear Guardian Caps during practice so players will be permitted to wear the cap during games this upcoming season,” Jeff Miller, NFL EVP overseeing player health and safety, said in a statement on Friday. “Additionally, there are new helmets this year that provide as much – if not more – protection than a different helmet model paired with a Guardian Cap. These developments represent substantial progress in our efforts to make the game safer for players.”

As Judy Bautista reported earlier this month: “12 new helmets to choose from including 8 position specific ones for QB, OL and DL. And six performed so well players wearing them will be exempt from wearing Guardian Caps in practice.”

Guardian Caps Will Be Optional In Regular Season NFL Games

However, not everyone is excited about the Guardian Cap being used. Former player and three-time Super Bowl Champion Matt Chatham weighed in. He said, “I know people working in football helmet technology. The advancements in that have been pretty tremendous in the last decade or so. Telling them today the NFL is just gonna let players wrap this Guardian cap duvet cover around that technology as a security blanket is like pouring a bottle of off-brand ketchup on an A5 wagyu ribeye.”

LOL, so I guess Mr. Chatham expects more from the NFL in light of other available technology. And if player safety is the concern then the players deserve the best available equipment. Hopefully the Guardian Cap is a step in the right direction.

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