Concussions and head injuries are a concern for any football parent or coach. That’s why one Michigan high school coach is trying something new.
“One of our goals is always to look at what the latest and greatest is to protect our players,” explains Coach Aaron Metz. “This offseason we made the decision to invest in 13 Guardian Caps.”
It’s a lightweight soft outer shell designed to reduce the impact of hits to the head.Their website describes it as football’s version of NASCAR’s S.A.F.E.R. Barriers. Senior lineman bobby McQueen says he notices a difference.
“I think it helps a lot actually.. When you go head to head now, you don’t feel it as much,” says McQueen.
That’s good to hear, especially considering McQueen says his teammates aren’t really thinking about head injuries and concussion when they hit the field.
“We more joke around with it a bit…because it’s a serious thing that’s out there right now…it’s kind of how we get by it,” McQueen explains.
Coach Metz says his decision to have some players wear these Guardian Caps isn’t just about protecting the players. He says it’s also about protecting the sport he loves and values.
“We understand that football is a game that’s under a lot of attack. For me as a head football coach, I believe this game gives our student athletes something that no other sport does in the terms of having the number of players we have working together to develop skills that aren’t just football skills. They’re life skills,” says Metz.
So he’s doing what he can to make the game safer.
“Each week I ask the players if there’s any difference, and at the end of the year we’ll sit down and talk to those players and our trainers and look at the pros and cons and make the decision of how we move forward in the future,” Metz says.
McQueen sounds like he’s already sold.
“Ya, I would definitely recommend it. You don’t want to see anyone get hurt during practice or during the season or something stupid like that.”
