Late in the Indianapolis Colts’ game against the Green Bay Packers on September 15, tight end Kylen Granson caught a short pass over the middle of the field. As he advanced, he lowered his body to brace for an upcoming tackle. His helmet struck the face mask of linebacker Quay Walker, and as Walker brought him to the ground, the back of his helmet hit the turf. After the 9-yard gain, Granson rose, handed the football to an official, and prepared for the next play.
This play was notable not for its basic nature or being his first reception of the 2024 National Football League season, but due to what Granson was wearing at the time: a Guardian Cap, a 12-ounce, foam-padded, protective helmet covering.
Guardian Caps have been a requirement for most positions during NFL preseason practices and are also used in regular-season and postseason practices involving contact. They received further endorsement this year when the league deemed them optional for game use, referencing a significant reduction in training camp concussions since their introduction in 2022. Despite this, by mid-season, only 10 NFL players had chosen to wear one during games, according to a league spokesperson. Granson, however, decided to use the Guardian Cap, having already tested it in preseason games and choosing to incorporate it into regular-season play. He found that it had no detrimental effects on his performance and considered its benefits worthwhile despite its unconventional appearance.
The aesthetics of the Guardian Caps have drawn some humor, with Guardian Sports employees wearing T-shirts that humorously modify the slogan, “LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, PLAY GOOD,” by crossing out “LOOK GOOD.” Erin Hanson, cofounder of Guardian Sports, acknowledged the humor in the caps’ appearance.
Despite their cartoonish look, the allowance of Guardian Caps in NFL games—an organization strict about player equipment—indicates their validated effectiveness, even though there is a lack of peer-reviewed on-field data. It underscores the critical need for safety innovation in football.
The risks associated with repeated head impacts have become more evident, with such impacts linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a serious brain disorder leading to cognitive issues and progressive dementia that can only be diagnosed posthumously. As a result, efforts to improve football safety have accelerated, driven by NFL-funded research and advancements in headgear technology.
Central to these developments is Guardian Sports, a small company that has emerged as a significant player in football gear innovation, despite once being regarded merely as a curiosity in the sport.
