Killebrew doubts players use the protective device

by Bo Marchionte
Published July 25, 2024, 05:37 PM

Latrobe, PA – The NFL has introduced Guardian Caps, padded helmet covers designed to enhance player safety during practices. These caps, which fit over standard helmets, aim to reduce the impact forces that contribute to concussions and other head injuries. In April, the NFL gave permission to players to wear them in games this season.

“Do you think this will eventually look cool,” Steelers standout special teams ace Miles Killebrew said holding in his helmet with the protective covering after day one of training camp. An eyesore of sorts doesn’t exactly sell itself as something to be associated with.

Guardian Caps absorb and dissipate energy from collisions, lessening the blow players experience during contact. The initiative is part of the NFL’s ongoing effort to mitigate head injuries and improve overall player health.

“Yeah, these look ugly look at this,” Killebrew laughed. “Well listen, this extra padding I think is sociological as far as the weight. It’s not that much weight but you can tell when it’s on. It’s small, it’s minimal but you can just see it. It doesn’t look as streamlined I think mentally. But after a couple plays you don’t realize you have it on.”

It’s visually jarring and hard to appreciate, lacking any sense of aesthetic appeal. Style points and fashion envy are not particularly in the vocabulary when describing this device made to help prevent the long-term effects of the Achilles heel of the NFL – Concussions.

During the 2022 season, the league mandated the use of Guardian Caps for offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends, and linebackers during practices. This requirement has been extended to all positions in subsequent seasons, reflecting the positive reception and effectiveness of the caps in reducing head impact severity.

“I think it’s going to be optional to wear in the game,” Killebrew said. “They have something they will put over them like a skirt with your logo on it. I don’t know but I’d have to do a poll and see how many guys on the team are opting into wearing this during the game. I’d doubt there is any.”

Killebrew is entering his ninth year in the NFL which should entitle him to know a thing or two about the realities of playing in the league. His background in being one of the first and foremost top special teams’ players also speaks volumes when this levelheaded All-Pro in 2023 comments on things such as the cap.

“Here’s what is happening that no one is talking about,” Killebrew said. “Through the years there are more concussions right but something that has happened with the uniforms is shoulder pads keep getting smaller and smaller.

“So, there surface area of your head is larger just by the factor of bringing in the shoulder pads. It gets really hard to keep your head out of contact. If I had more surface area on my head by putting this on it’s going to be damn near impossible to keep my head out of contact. That’s how I look at it. Your head is going to hit something it’s twice as big.

Making clean, legal hits in the NFL without getting flagged for using the helmet has become increasingly challenging. The league has implemented strict rules to enhance player safety, particularly focusing on helmet-to-helmet contact and leading with the helmet.

Players must be precise with their technique, ensuring they lead with their shoulder and aim for the correct target zone. The speed and intensity of the game make this difficult, as split-second decisions can easily result in accidental helmet contact, especially with a helmet that increases in size, despite being safer.

Additionally, the rules are subject to interpretation by officials, leading to potential inconsistencies in enforcement. Despite these challenges, players continually adapt their play style to align with safety protocols while maintaining the aggressive nature of the sport.

But will the Guardian Cap be something players decide to use?

“I’m sure there are people way smarter than me that have done the numbers. I’m just saying from a player’s perspective the larger the helmets get the smaller the shoulder pads get. It’s boarding a line of impossible to keep the head out of contact.”

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com