Two years have passed since Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, a running back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, became the inaugural CFL player to don a Guardian Cap on his helmet during an actual game.
Although the soft shells covering helmets are mandatory for various positions during practices to lessen the impact of collisions and tackles on players’ heads, they remain largely unused in games within the Canadian professional league.
The trend is also not gaining traction in high school and youth leagues.
Emerson, the son of Derek Hogelie, is the sole player on his Regina high school football team who wears a Guardian Cap in games.
Hogelie noted that his decision was somewhat selfish. As a concerned parent, he wanted to protect his son from injury, and it did not take much persuading for Emerson to agree to wear it.
“He looks up to NFL players and notices that more of them are wearing these caps. While they may not be common on game days, they’re frequently seen during practices. Convincing him wasn’t difficult; he was fully on board,” Hogelie shared with CBC Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.
The caps’ unique, padded appearance can make them less appealing, especially when others aren’t wearing them, but Hogelie insisted that safety was the priority for both him and his son.
“We have a lot of redundancy built into our bodies, like having two arms and two legs, but we only have one brain. That was the key consideration. If we can purchase a cap that costs about a tenth of the price of the helmet we bought, adding another layer of protection, why wouldn’t we?” Hogelie remarked.
Guardian Caps are required for the Saskatchewan Selects football team during both practices and games to ensure player safety. (saskselectsfb/Instagram)
After the CFL mandated the use of caps for offensive and defensive linemen, running backs, and linebackers during practices and training camps, they discovered a 42 percent reduction in concussions during the 2023 training camp.
Bertrand-Hudon mentioned to Blue Sky host Jennifer Quesnel that he noticed a difference while wearing the soft shell.
“When I make initial contact, I feel less of a recoil thanks to wearing that,” Bertrand-Hudon explained.
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Reducing Injuries
One youth football program has mandated the use of caps for its players during both practices and games.
The Saskatchewan Selects Football Club implemented a policy requiring Guardian Caps for their players three years ago.
“Being an off-season development program, we aimed to minimize any injury risks for the kids,” Zeljko Stefanovic, director of the Saskatchewan Selects, told CBC Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.
Director Zeljko Stefanovic emphasizes the importance of safety, especially since the Selects is a developmental program for players looking to refine their skills. (saskselectsfb/Instagram)
Stefanovic’s commitment to safety extends beyond the helmets.
He collaborates with Patrick Neary, a professor specializing in concussion research in the department of kinesiology and health studies at the University of Regina, to ensure his football team’s safety.
“Zeljko has visited my office multiple times and expressed genuine concern for his players,” Neary mentioned to CBC Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.
Stefanovic is adopting a comprehensive strategy for preventing concussions and head injuries. With Neary’s expertise, he instructs his players on safe tackling techniques that avoid leading with their heads. He believes this method is contributing to the protection of players’ brains.
“While my evidence is anecdotal, we’ve observed a decline in the number of reported concussions during our games,” Stefanovic stated.
He receives some feedback from fellow coaches regarding the soft shells, but overall, the caps are starting to influence other development programs that are searching for ways to enhance player safety.
Stefanovic noted that while other coaches and parents have shown interest in Guardian Caps, they have not yet gained widespread acceptance among other teams. (saskselectsfb/Instagram)
According to Neary, the limited information and lack of studies verifying the effectiveness of Guardian Caps may explain their slow adoption among youth football teams.
“This is new research, and we’re just beginning to comprehend more about it,” Neary remarked.
A Regina father is taking extra steps to help protect his son, who is playing high school football this year. His son is wearing a Guardian cap over his helmet, and the dad says the added protection is worth the investment as his son takes the field.
Although the evidence surrounding the caps may be anecdotal, Neary emphasized the importance of players wearing them to collect more data on their effects.
“If there’s a possibility to lessen the impact of direct head collisions, that would be incredibly beneficial for the player,” Neary concluded.
Ongoing Consequences from Injuries
A former high school football player expressed that he wishes the safety resources and measures utilized by the Saskatchewan Selects had been available during his playing days.
Owen Chay had to stop playing football due to several head injuries and continues to experience lingering effects.
“I frequently suffer from brain fog, and I often repeat myself because I believe I have some form of short-term memory loss,” Chay shared with Blue Sky’s Janani Whitfield.
Chay suggested that the look of the Guardian Caps might be a factor in leagues’ reluctance to mandate their use during games.
“I think the appearance might lead some to perceive you as soft,” Chay remarked.
However, for Chay, prioritizing health and safety outweighs the desire to appear tough while playing.
“You need to take care of yourself out there. Football isn’t everything.”