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There’s no denying that athletes who play football could be putting their bodies at higher risks than other sports, most notably with head injuries and concussions.

Of the approximately 300,000 sport-related head injuries annually, more than 40 percent happened in tackle football, according to the Journal of Athletic Training.

With player safety as their top priority, the Maumee football program has taken steps to help reduce the risks of traumatic brain injuries by using Guardian Caps in practice this season. 

“The Guardian Caps help reduce the impact of head collisions in practice, which can significantly lower the risk of concussions and other head-related injuries,” Panthers coach Evan Karcher said. “We’re constantly looking for ways to keep our athletes safer, and this was a major step forward. With this being the first year we’ve been able to outfit the entire team, it felt like the right time.

“Not only do they help protect the players, but they also extend the life of our helmets, which is a big deal from both a safety and financial standpoint.”

The widespread use of Guardian Caps is a recent development. In fact, as recent as the early 2000s, the use of third-party helmet pads voided the warranties and certifications from helmet manufacturers.

That changed in 2013 when the U.S. National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletics Equipment recognized third-party certification for add-on equipment.

In 2022, the NFL mandated the use of Guardian Caps for some position groups, and by 2024, the league allowed their use during live games. According to NFL research, Guardian Caps can reduce the force of impact between two players wearing the equipment by 20 percent. 

Jeff Miller, Senior Vice President for Health and Safety Policy in the NFL, said there was a “52 percent decrease in concussions suffered by players at positions wearing Guardian Caps, compared to the concussion rate of players at the same positions over the last three years of training camps when Guardian Caps weren’t worn.”

While independent testing hasn’t provided results as conclusive, purchasing Guardian Caps has been on Karchner’s wishlist for a while. They worked with Guardian Cap’s team to make sure every player had a cap that fit their helmet properly.

“It was a smooth process, and the players and coaches were both fired up to have them available from Day 1,” Karchner said.

The Guardian Caps are only one piece of what’s becoming a large supply of gear to aid recovery and injury prevention for the Panthers. Last year, they debuted the Titan GPS units, worn by players to track their speed and number and force of impacts, among other things.

They also added Firefly recovery bands to their repertoire this year. The bands use muscle stimulation to increase blood flow, which helps speed recovery after workouts or practices.

“We’ve been using them with guys who are coming off minor injuries or just need a little extra recovery support from some aches and pains,” Karchner said of the bands. “The goal is to reduce soreness, improve circulation and help our athletes bounce back faster so they can stay consistent in their training and be prepared to play at 100 percent when our season starts. It’s just one more way we’re trying to give our players every advantage we can.”

Obviously, outfitting an entire team in Guardian Caps, plus a selection of Firefly bands and Titan GPS units, is not cheap. Karcher said the program couldn’t afford any of it without the support of the community, parents and donors.

However, the impact these tools can make on a player’s health — or in the Guardian Cap’s case, the reduction of impacts — makes them invaluable.

“They make a huge difference for our players. Every dollar raised through fundraising or donated by supporters goes directly back into the program to benefit the kids. It’s not just about gear, it’s about safety, performance and giving our players the best possible experience,” Karchner said. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s helped us make these investments. It shows that Maumee truly stands behind its student-athletes and our football program.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com