NFL authorizes in-game use of guardian caps.

[AK49Hawk]

What are your thoughts?

 

[Shane Falco]

I saw that last night. Concussions are no joke, but those things look crazy.

 

[sutz]

I think I need more info. I'm all for player safety and I have long advocated for padding on the outside of the helmets. I suspect the hard plastic shells cause as many problems as they solve.

 

[sutz]

Here's a link for more info:

NFL to give players option to wear Guardian Caps during regular-season games

The NFL announced on Friday that players will be permitted to wear Guardian Caps during regular-season games in an effort to increase player health and safety and prevent head injuries.

www.nfl.com

 

[AK49Hawk]

I get the idea. Add a little action green and the obnoxious level gets to be almost unbearable.

 

[94Smith]

Back in the day people probably thought facemasks were ugly until everyone wore them. I could see if you were a player that had multiple concussions already you may consider it

 

[RolandDeschain]

They really need to color match them to the team colors, otherwise, bring 'em on. Maybe it'll help slow the move to flag football.

 

[Cyrus12]

Bring in the bubble suits too!

 

[Grahamhawker]

Pads are for pansies!

 

[RolandDeschain]

Bring in the bubble suits too!

Gordon Ramsay becoming a starter in the 2031 or so NFL season:

 

[Maelstrom787]

I like that it's an opt-in. They look extremely stupid, but I'd be for them wearing pink tutus if it's the difference between dying of early onset dementia and having a fruitful post-football life.

Every option to lessen the neurological damage inherent to the game should be available to these guys.

Linemen especially should take the option. The repeated subconcussive blows are what gets you in time, not only the concussions themselves.

 

[fenderbender123]

I'm against player safety.

 

[CalgaryFan05]

What are your thoughts?

I hate them.

Having said that, I believe that part of the 'press release'/RG interview was also talking about how the players could 'opt in', and the fact that they can choose to use one of three 'other helmets' that after study provided the equivalent level of protection. I have no idea whether the alternate 3 helmets are as vomit inducing as these contraptions - but hey.

The funny thing is, as knee jerk as the whole concussion issue is - I'm not sure I've seen any data based on timelines. And by that I mean: after they've neutered the defenses by about 85%, what are the numbers now? Sure, there are probably higher/scary numbers from previous years 70s/80s/90s/2000s/first half of 2010's - but maybe they've already watered down the game so much that it's not the issue that it was. Nobody plays like Kam/Lewis anymore - so I wonder.

And for the love of God, if I hear one more: "Out of an overabundance of caution" to justify anything anymore - I think I'll rip a phone book in half - and possibly slap a puppy.

I've said for the last 2 years that once the nerf helmets come out they'll probably lose me. This might be the year...... Flag football for the win, indeed.

 

[Cyrus12]

Gordon Ramsay becoming a starter in the 2031 or so NFL season:

View attachment 66047

Don't be surprised if it comes to this one day...

 

[Chuckwow]

It's a rough sport and why these guys are paid annually more than most are paid in a lifetime. And that's an understatement. If they want to wear these alien looking things on the field, OK, but they should also have to wear them in any commercial endorsements they do. Maybe with the exception of hair care products. Like the dandruff seeking Tiny Polamalu wouldn't have to wear his.

It's all headed to flag football anyway. The writing on the wall is excruciatingly obvious. Ugh.

 

[WmHBonney]

It's a rough sport and why these guys are paid annually more than most are paid in a lifetime. And that's an understatement. If they want to wear these alien looking things on the field, OK, but they should also have to wear them in any commercial endorsements they do. Maybe with the exception of hair care products. Like the dandruff seeking Tiny Polamalu wouldn't have to wear his.

It's all headed to co-ed flag football anyway. The writing on the wall is excruciatingly obvious. Ugh.

You left something out.

 

[CPHawk]

Soccer has tons of concussions also. They aren’t caused just from banging heads. So wonder how much these really cut down on concussions.

 

[IndyHawk]

So if your wearing a cone over the helmet,I can hit you there now?
Why not?

 

[NoGain]

I'm against it from a purely selfish aesthetic standpoint. They're so damn ugly to me.

 

[cymatica]

I like that it's an opt-in. They look extremely stupid, but I'd be for them wearing pink tutus if it's the difference between dying of early onset dementia and having a fruitful post-football life.

Not me, I'll pick dementia over those goofy helmet condoms. If players start wearing those, I'll be too embarrassed to watch this game anymore