Two years ago, Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon made history as the first CFL player to don a Guardian Cap on his helmet during an official game.
Although these soft shells are required during practices for various positions to lessen the impact of tackles and hits on players’ heads, they have yet to gain traction during games in the Canadian Football League.
They are also not widely adopted 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 expressed that the decision was motivated by a desire to protect his son. It didn’t take much convincing for Emerson to agree to wear the cap as well.
“He idolizes NFL players, and he notices that many of them are wearing these caps. While they may not be seen as much in games, they’re prevalent during practices. So, it wasn’t a tough sell to him. He was fully on board,” Hogelie shared with CBC Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.
The unique, padded appearance of the caps can be challenging to promote, particularly when no one else is utilizing them, but Hogelie emphasized that safety was the priority for both him and his son.
“Our bodies are designed with redundancy, having two arms and two legs, but we only have one brain. That was the key point for us. If we can invest in a cap that costs about one-tenth of the helmet we purchased to provide additional protection, why wouldn’t we?” Hogelie remarked.
Guardian Caps are mandatory for the Saskatchewan Selects football team in practices and in games to ensure player safety. (saskselectsfb/Instagram)
Following the implementation of mandatory caps for offensive and defensive linemen, running backs, and linebackers during practices and training camps, the CFL observed a 42 percent reduction in concussions during the training camp period in 2023.
Bertrand-Hudon mentioned to Blue Sky‘s host, Jennifer Quesnel, that he noticed a significant difference while wearing the soft shell.
“I feel that the initial impact of the blunt force is less jarring with the cap on,” Bertrand-Hudon stated.
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Reducing injuries
A youth football program has mandated the use of caps for all players during practices and games.
The Saskatchewan Selects Football Club introduced Guardian Caps as a requirement for their players three years ago.
“As an out-of-season development program, we aimed to minimize any potential injuries for the kids,” explained Zeljko Stefanovic, director of the Saskatchewan Selects, to CBC Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.
Zeljko Stefanovic, director of the Saskatchewan Selects, emphasizes safety, particularly as the Selects serve as an out-of-season development program for players seeking to enhance their skills. (saskselectsfb/Instagram)
Stefanovic’s approach to safety extends beyond just headgear.
He collaborates with Patrick Neary, a professor specializing in concussions in the department of kinesiology and health studies at the University of Regina, to ensure the utmost safety for his team.
“Zeljko has visited my office numerous times, expressing genuine concern for his players,” Neary recounted to CBC Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.
Stefanovic stated that he is adopting a comprehensive strategy to prevent concussions and head injuries. With Neary’s assistance, he instructs his players on safe tackling techniques, emphasizing not to lead with their heads. He believes this method is effective in protecting players’ brains.
“While my evidence is anecdotal, we’ve observed a decline in reported concussions during our games,” Stefanovic noted.
He acknowledged receiving feedback from other coaches regarding the soft shells, but primarily, the caps are influencing other development programs seeking ways to enhance player safety.
Stefanovic mentioned that other coaches and parents have inquired about Guardian Caps, yet they have not gained widespread acceptance among other teams. (saskselectsfb/Instagram)
According to Neary, the lack of information and research supporting the efficacy of Guardian Caps may explain their limited adoption among minor league football teams.
“This is relatively new research, and we are only beginning to gain insights,” Neary explained.
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.
While the supporting evidence for the caps may be anecdotal, Neary emphasized the importance of players wearing them to gather more data regarding their effectiveness.
“If there’s a possibility to diminish the impact on the head, that would be immensely beneficial for players,” Neary asserted.
Ongoing effects of injuries
A former high school football player expressed regret that the safety measures and resources the Saskatchewan Selects implement weren’t available during his playing days.
Owen Chay had to stop playing football due to several head injuries, and he continues to experience lingering effects.
“I often experience brain fog, and I find myself repeating things to people because I believe I have some form of short-term memory loss,” Chay shared with Blue Sky‘s Janani Whitfield.
Chay suggested that the appearance of the Guardian Caps might contribute to leagues’ reluctance to mandate their use during games.
“I think people may view them as making players look soft due to their appearance,” Chay remarked.
However, for Chay, prioritizing health and safety outweighs the desire to maintain a cool image on the field.
“You must look after your safety out there. Football is not everything in life.”