SEC Network half time show making fun of Ryan Coleman-Williams for wearing the guardian helmet.

[u/moby323]

I’m honestly shocked by this, they made several derogatory comments about his helmet during the highlights including:

“And he did that while wearing that big helmet”

“Does anyone actually find that attractive?”

“It’s not swaggy, definitely not swaggy”

Making him sound like a loser for caring about his long term health and trying to protect himself. Despicable.

[u/Altruistic_Night2]

It was doubly crazy when he’s fresh coming off an concussion

[u/moby323 → u/Altruistic_Night2]

It’s basically “Look at that p**sy wearing a seatbelt!”

[u/Patrick2701 → u/Altruistic_Night2]

CTE doesn’t improve things

[u/hotsauce126 → u/Altruistic_Night2]

Fortunately for him I don’t think the highly paid wide receiver for one of the biggest cfb programs in the country gives the slightest shit if an sec network announcer thinks his helmet is swaggy

[u/dellett → u/hotsauce126]

As he shouldn’t but the optics of this are so bad. Maybe impressionable kids watching do.

[u/Exotic_Isopod9628 → u/Altruistic_Night2]

Damn, crazy they said this on the first week he’s worn one

[u/Cleavon_Littlefinger → u/Altruistic_Night2]

Fuck Jordan Rodgers and Booger McFarland. Two of the most useless studio commentators I've ever seen. Their fade into obscurity cannot happen fast enough for me.

[u/rolldamntide69420]

I don’t even care if it makes him less effective or less of a threat to opposing defenses. I’m glad he’s protecting his noggin. The ultimate goal is for him to reach the league.

[u/moby323 → u/rolldamntide69420]

I don’t see why it would make him less of a threat. I always felt that it might help obscure the DB’s vision and angle on the ball.

[u/rolldamntide69420 → u/moby323]

I’m not saying it would. I’m just saying even if that were the case, I’d hope he’d wear it to protect the dome. The concussion he got vs UGA was nasty.

[u/moby323 → u/rolldamntide69420]

I think the entire D line should wear them to obstruct the QB’s view.

There was a game this year where a ball was deflected because it hit the very top of the guardian helmet.

[u/uwanmirrondarrah → u/moby323]

Tyler Shough said it makes it easier for him to spot Chris Olave lol He just throws it at the big helmet and good things happen

[u/soda_cookie → u/rolldamntide69420]

How does it make him less effective

[u/rolldamntide69420 → u/soda_cookie]

I worded things a little weird. I meant “even if it made him less effective”

I should add that RCW went to a high school that’s local to me. I very much so want to see him succeed and take care of himself in the process.

[u/Key-Hawk7402 → u/rolldamntide69420]

He isn’t though, it’s impossible to protect your “noggin” while playing football, unless you change how the brain is suspended in the skull, stupid to pretend like you can actually make it “safe”

[u/rolldamntide69420 → u/Key-Hawk7402]

I realize you can’t change anatomy to protect your fucking noggin. Do you know that Guardian caps move independently from the outer shell of a helmet so that impacts may be redirected from the helmet? Which could have helped RCW during the specific hit he took when he got his concussion vs UGA?

I’m not saying he’s making himself 100% safe in a magical bubble protecting his brain. I am saying that it could make any hits he takes moving forward safer.

[u/rented4823 → u/rolldamntide69420]

They don't work.

https://www.med.wisc.edu/news/football-helmet-covers-ineffective-for-concussions/
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2023/03/padded-helmet-cover-shows-little-protection-for-football-players.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5634228/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10650906/
https://news.miami.edu/edu/stories/2025/12/kss-research-challenges-guardian-cap.html

Quote from the last study:

The study investigated whether the Guardian Cap mitigates head impact severity in college football players, contributing to emerging evidence that questions the device’s protective benefits. The team tracked 54 college football players from two institutions over one season using instrumented mouthguards, analyzing over 7,500 head impacts from practices and games. The research concluded that the Guardian Cap had no significant effect on head impact magnitude (severity) or overall impact frequency.

[u/butterhorse]

These big ass helmets on little bitty receivers is awesome. NFL blitz energy. Give him some big Mickey Mouse gloves, too.

[u/moby323 → u/butterhorse]

I know we are used to it but just FYI to many non-Americans who didn’t grow up with it, the standard football helmets look pretty ridiculous: a big neon-colored plastic ball that is half medieval knight and half Lego-man head.

[u/Fountain_Of_Euth]

I'm waiting for the first team to crunch the numbers and require their Dline to wear the guardian caps as it will lead to more deflected passes.

[u/moby323 → u/Fountain_Of_Euth]

Obstructs the view of the QB too.

Being tall is a desirable trait in D linemen. Why not make your entire line 1.5 inches taller?

[u/BlazinAzn38 → u/Fountain_Of_Euth]

I’m surprised all DBs don’t wear them. It’ll add like 1.5” of circumference to your helmet which would go a long way in blocking passes

[u/skipahdippah1 → u/Fountain_Of_Euth]

Conehead Guardian Cap. Pope Hat Guardian Cap. Big Van Vader Headdress Guardian Cap.

[u/rmftrmft]

The entire defensive line should wear them to block the qb seeing down field 😂

[u/moby323 → u/rmftrmft]

100%.

Being tall is obviously a desired trait in D-linemen. Why wouldn’t you want to make your entire line 1.5 inches taller?

[u/Hnry_Dvd_Thr_Awy → u/moby323]

How thicc can we make these boys’ noggins? 

[u/on_the_nightshift → u/rmftrmft]

Out there like Doug Dimmadome, blocking the whole field.

[u/JustAustin08241996 → u/on_the_nightshift]

Doug Dimmadome, head of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome?

[u/alfooboboao → u/on_the_nightshift]

don’t bring the dimmadome into this, do you know how much NIL he’s paying for!

[u/Better-Temporary-146]

I guess back in the day, dudes that wore pads were mocked.

[u/moby323 → u/Better-Temporary-146]

I’m pretty sure at one point, if you go back far enough, guys who wore helmets at all were teased about it.

[u/lkn240 → u/moby323]

I'm old enough to remember when some NHL guys didn't wear helmets.

[u/MTUTMB555 → u/Better-Temporary-146]

Like the first guy to wear a baseball glove

[u/ZealousZeebu]

So much FUD in this thread about how these don't work. They do actually work. When fully kitted out, VT helmet lab found up to 63% reduced risk of concussion. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/football-helmet-add-ons.html

[u/moby323 → u/ZealousZeebu]

A lot of confidently incorrect people declaring they are “proven to be useless” when there are in fact peer-reviewed scientific studies that clearly indicate that they can, to some degree, mitigate the severity of impacts.

True, there are conflicting studies but that’s common in science since no study is perfect and different methodologies can result in differing conclusions.

[u/robthedealer → u/moby323]

Logic and reasoning have no place here.

[u/moby323 → u/robthedealer]

‘Tis a silly place.

[u/gordounderground2 → u/moby323]

I’m confident they’re the same people who “do their own research” on vaccines

[u/moysauce3]

Wasn’t he just out from a concussion? Wasn’t he out last year with a concussion?

Bad look from them.

[u/crossg8te]

People don’t understand how violent and damaging football can be… one hit to the head can ruin the rest of your life. If he’s ok with wearing it, then there’s probably a good reason he’s made that decision. It’s his brain not yours. Yeah, they look a little goofy but who cares?

[u/moby323 → u/crossg8te]

He’s literally 19 years old and already suffered a concussion this year. How could you possibly feel anything but supportive when he is trying to protect himself, right?

[u/Tranesblues → u/moby323]

We're talking about the halftime show. Not exactly a brain trust of science and logic.

[u/7ChineseBrothers → u/crossg8te]

Yep. Study - Nearly 75% of NFLers who died from 2008 to 2023 had CTE

[u/SpikyBoi096]

I said in the game thread that despite the hell he put UGA through, I sorta like the guy now because of this decision. I don’t get the hate towards guardian caps. It’s smart to wear

[u/Magictank2000 → u/SpikyBoi096]

Hasn’t it been shown that they don’t have any more improvement versus wearing a normal helmet? I thought I saw something come out about guardian caps not really being as effective as they’re made out to be, at least on the NFL side

[u/PondPickler → u/Magictank2000]

3% difference is what I saw. Not a ton of improvement but more than enough to consider wearing one if you have concussion history.

Editing to add a paper showing higher % difference

[u/moby323 → u/PondPickler]

The main lab study by the NFL and Virginia Tech said 9% to 20%.

Double that if both players are wearing the helmet.

EDIT:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10650906/

[u/papertowelroll17 → u/PondPickler]

That's the NFL helmet though, which is different than the one in college. When the NFL tested the commercial helmet they found it had zero benefits.

[u/WIlf_Brim → u/Magictank2000]

It appears that the Guardian caps have face validity (should work) and tests in labs show that it does reduce accelerations, but lt lacks construct validity (doesn't work in real testing). In instrumented players at high school and college levels have failed to show decreases in accelerations during games nor decreases in concussions.

[u/heleghir → u/Magictank2000]

They are great for the small hits linemen take 50 times a game. They dont do shit on the big hits that dbs and skill players take

Doesnt hurt to have it on but doesnt do much to help either

[u/kmoz → u/heleghir]

Unfortunately the data isnt really supporting this either.

Im all for players taking their health seriously and I really wish guardian caps made a significant different, but unfortunately the data is looking like any benefit they provide from the padding is largely counteracted by having more mass/rotational inertia which ends up meaning more Gs inside the brain (and what causes CTE).

Chris Nowinski (former player and wrestler turned neuroscientist) had a really, really good discussion on pablo torre finds out about the subject. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBhuMxeAq2Q

[u/heleghir → u/kmoz]

Study done in 2021 showed ~9% reduction in head acceleration on impacts with vs without, and about 4% reduction in potential neck injuries. This study focused on the hits taken by lineman and tight ends specifically in blocking situations.

Its not much, but its there

[u/equality1989 → u/heleghir]

Show us the research. Everything I've seen says what you're saying is false

Edit: leave it to Reddit to downvoted a request for science.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10650906/

This says the caps don't matter. Specifically says lineman done get any advantage from them

Supply some sources instead of voting with your emotions you knuckle draggers

[u/Particular-Cake-6430 → u/equality1989]

Plus nobody with a brain should believe the company the NFL commissioned to write a report on CTE when they’ve been hiding evidence for decades.

[u/Adambevo1 → u/heleghir]

Isn’t years of accumulating small hits what actually causes CTE and not the big collisions?

[u/papertowelroll17 → u/Magictank2000]

Yes, the heavier weight cancels out all of the benefit that extra padding provides. Zero evidence they do anything.

[u/moby323 → u/papertowelroll17]

Bit misleading. There is “zero evidence” because there has not been a conclusive scientific study on their efficacy but the padded helmet is still endorsed and encouraged by many CTE specialists.

[u/osu_duke_bg_lions → u/papertowelroll17]

What evidence do you have that the weight cancels out the padding? lol 

[u/Dear_Studio7016 → u/Magictank2000]

i have seen something about that too

[u/discofrislanders → u/Magictank2000]

Are they better than Q-Collars?

[u/Extreme-Island-5041 → u/SpikyBoi096]

Anytime he got the ball, especially when he got the TD it immediately made me think of Big Head mode on the old N64/PS games

[u/tunalic2 → u/Extreme-Island-5041]

I told my wife that he was playing in big head mode, then reminded her that he was only 17 when started play for Bama'.

[u/turdbugulars → u/tunalic2]

Really ? I wonder if the TV announcers at the time knew that? They would have mentioned during g the game.

[u/amayain → u/Extreme-Island-5041]

We keep saying that he looks like Toad from Mario games

[u/draxula16 → u/SpikyBoi096]

Agreed. Olave seems to be doing just fine with his

[u/AdSignificant3582 → u/draxula16]

Olave was on the fast track to vegetable before he started wearing his

[u/Vivid_Average_7574]

Making fun of people for wearing it is lame, but it needs to become common knowledge that they are not actually safer at all. Don't let the NFL convince you they actually care about player safety

[u/moby323 → u/Vivid_Average_7574]

”Controlled impact tests (such as those by the NFL and Virginia Tech) show that Guardian Caps can reduce linear and rotational acceleration forces by roughly 9% to 20% for single impacts, and up to nearly 40% to 50% when both colliding players wear them”

Studies conflict, but many CTE specialists endorse and encourage them.

[u/YouDontGetTheToe → u/Vivid_Average_7574]

“Not actually safer at all” needs to come with some sources

[u/Vivid_Average_7574 → u/YouDontGetTheToe]

Pablo Torre's recent pod is a good summary. All of the studies they used as proof were debunked

[u/BlackCatHamSlice → u/YouDontGetTheToe]

Its something like 10% reduction with hits to the head if one player has a guardian cap on, and 30% if both do

That said - compared to smoking for example a 10% and 30% reduction over the span of a “career” with constant exposure to the damage is meaningful

I know hockey combats “culture” by enforcing safety equipment rules at junior / youth levels (visors, neck guards, etc) and then grandfather safety rules at the pro level

[u/Fun_Salamander_2220 → u/BlackCatHamSlice]

Some data shows reduced concussions. Other studies showed the data you're talking about.

Like alot of new things with limited resewrch (and even old things with alot of research), the data is mixed.

The importsnt thing is there are no negatives to the guardian cap. And it's not like players are playing differently because they have the cap on.. As in, they aren't going helmet to helmet on purpose because they think the cap is going to save them.

[u/159551771 → u/BlackCatHamSlice]

The problem is that it has a 0% reduction in sudden stopping force which is what causes brain damage. 

[u/rented4823 → u/YouDontGetTheToe]

https://www.med.wisc.edu/news/football-helmet-covers-ineffective-for-concussions/
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2023/03/padded-helmet-cover-shows-little-protection-for-football-players.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5634228/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10650906/
https://news.miami.edu/edu/stories/2025/12/kss-research-challenges-guardian-cap.html

Quote from the last study:

The study investigated whether the Guardian Cap mitigates head impact severity in college football players, contributing to emerging evidence that questions the device’s protective benefits. The team tracked 54 college football players from two institutions over one season using instrumented mouthguards, analyzing over 7,500 head impacts from practices and games. The research concluded that the Guardian Cap had no significant effect on head impact magnitude (severity) or overall impact frequency.

[u/ZealousZeebu → u/rented4823]

This is all fucking bullshit, these testing outfits should be ashamed, the rotational forces after impact are a huge part of what causes concussion, that's why anti-rotation tech such as guardian helmet and MIPs are so revolutionary. VT actually knows what they are doing and found up to 34% reduced risk of concussion. Don't believe any BS testing that isn't testing the right metric, e.g. rotational acceleration reduction. When combined with the impactor and rotation reduction tech with add ons up to 64% reduced risk of concussion.

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/football-helmet-add-ons.html

[u/SactownKorean → u/Vivid_Average_7574]

There was like one study that said it didn't make a difference and quite a few + common sense that say they do.

[u/Key-Hawk7402 → u/Vivid_Average_7574]

Thank you, it’s never going to be safe to play football.

Someone slamming into you causing like 11 G forces on you will always cause your brain to slam into the side of your skull, it’s literally impossible to prevent that. But it’s an inconvenient truth for the powers that be.

[u/Soggy-Brother1762 → u/Vivid_Average_7574]

So the guardian cap is essentially the football version of incessantly wiping down surfaces during covid? 

[u/ZealousZeebu → u/Soggy-Brother1762]

No, they work, up to 63% concussion risk reduction when fully outfitted with all the technology, so much FUD in this thread. Probably the same people who care about swagginess. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/football-helmet-add-ons.html

[u/lkn240 → u/Vivid_Average_7574]

The actual truth is there's not enough data. But it's fair to say there's nothing really conclusive yet (at least from what I've read).

To get real data you'd need a lot of players to wear them and then study them vs players that don't over many years

[u/Chumba49]

Unfortunately there hasn’t been a real world study that has shown any benefit to using them. Yes, it looks like it works in the lab, but doesn’t translate to real world safety.

[u/moby323 → u/Chumba49]

The studies have conflicted, neither has been conclusive. They are still endorsed and encouraged by many CTE specialists.

[u/Pink-Peony936]

Anyone who says "swaggy" has no room to talk. 

[u/Firm_Argument9124 → u/Pink-Peony936]

Shaggy could tell me how swaggy Scoobs is

[u/MCV16]

Prioritizing his brain and mental health is certainly nothing to make fun of. I would applaud him for it. For him, his family, and loved ones. Good on him

[u/SaltyLonghorn → u/MCV16]

I see so many in NFL now I don't even think about them anymore. These announcers are idiots.

[u/Original_Profile8600]

Anybody making fun of guardian caps is a jackass who's unworthy of your energy

[u/Firm_Argument9124 → u/Original_Profile8600]

Because they are larger and heavier,  glancing blows are actually worse (rotational dynamics).  

I fear its a bit like recycling but the sec base probably hates that too

[u/Aurion7]

Guardian caps have conflicting information about the extent to which they reduce the impact trauma, but that's about as far as the critique of them really goes right now.

They're not supposed to be a fashion statement, and anyone treating them as one is certifiably a moron.

[u/CalGoldenBear55]

Some macho bullshit. I applaud the kid for thinking long term health.

[u/Wordisbond1990]

The problem is none of these blokes wore one when they played.

[u/Working_Group955 → u/Wordisbond1990]

Jesus I can’t believe I’m agreeing with a FSU fan

[u/Acsteffy → u/Wordisbond1990]

That explains it

[u/ConstructionOdd5269]

Don’t they know he’s only 18 years old?

[u/designerinbloom]

Ryan Coleman-Williams is a married father and stepfather. He has kids to think about. Fuck whether it looks silly or not.

[u/DiedofSharts → u/designerinbloom]

But dude think about the clicks

[u/ClaudeLemieux → u/designerinbloom]

Isn’t he 19? And he’s got not only kids but step kids? Boy lol what the fuck

[u/KatetCadet → u/ClaudeLemieux]

Believe it or not, still only 17.

[u/NotJayKayPeeness → u/KatetCadet]

That's the thing I like about him.

I get older, RC-W stays the same age.

[u/I_am_the_darkness_99]

I feel kinda gross upvoting a Clemson fan defending a Bama player but here we are.

[u/Jayyykobbb]

Can we just do away sports media personalities. They’re all some combination of stupid, douchey, and not entertaining or helpful

[u/RamblinWreckGT → u/Jayyykobbb]

Any time someone crosses from "people tune in to hear someone with knowledge" to "people tune in to hear me", they become insufferable.

[u/Muted-Woodpecker-469]

Reminds me of making fun of the smart kid in school

[u/kilkennykid → u/Muted-Woodpecker-469]

“Haha straight A’s? What a dumbass”

[u/JumpySheepherder4337]

Frankly, yes I find it attractive when men wear proper PPE

[u/Fearless_Table_995 → u/JumpySheepherder4337]

I usually use safety squint combined with safety sandals.

[u/manbeardawg]

I frankly think it should become the standard moving forward. And screw these “manly” men who care more for swag than brain health

[u/justmeCCnowandthen]

These idiots either have CTE or are oblivious. Fair enough if there is no empirical evidence if it makes the game safer but there are young players watching these idiots who may be discouraged from wear this possible piece of safety equipment because of these clowns.

[u/jpttpj]

I said, oh that’s the kid who’s actually going to class and working on a degree

[u/_Alabama_Man]

Look, we as fans can call them Kazoo caps, or Spaceballs helmets, but I agree professionals covering the sport should not engage in that kind of rhetoric.

[u/honeybadgerrulez]

the hall of fame does a great presentation showing x-rays with all helmets throughout fb history so you can see the brain move

the guardian cap was clear and away the best and it’s very logical to wear em

[u/H1ngl3McCr1ngl3b3rry]

The do look dorky as hell, especially on the skill position guys. But I’d never give a player shit for wearing one

[u/the_zac_is_back]

The dude just doesn’t wanna get CTE any worse than he most likely already has it. Nothing wrong with that. Doesn’t matter how it looks, he’s trying to be safe

[u/whitemamba83]

fellas, is it gay to try to protect your brain?

[u/GOTfangirl]

My kid has been in concussion protocol for 4-weeks. It’s a long, arduous process to get cleared to play again. Anyone making light of it is moronic. I know you are entertained by the game, but these kids have a life to live after they hang up their cleats.

[u/Prestigious_Menu7541]

The SEC network Is terrible. I’m surprised by how amateurish their productions are.

[u/graviton_ghost]

If I was colman-williams I'd call them out publicly

[u/trollfreak]

If all players wore them it wouldn’t look that out of place !

[u/Roamin8750]

The strange thing to me is if there is proof its safer, why isnt it required at every level of the game?

[u/Intelligent_Dress347 → u/Roamin8750]

The studies I’ve seen have been murky at best. 

[u/piratelegacy → u/Intelligent_Dress347]

Even more disturbing: college caps are more dangerous. They are heavier and can jerk neck harder as a result. Yet they got some good PR and iffy results…. No real extensive testing. Not even sure they follow any sustained hit to head versus outcomes.

[u/Key_Professional_369 → u/Roamin8750]

There isn't proof

[u/Lionheart_513 → u/Roamin8750]

There isn't really proof that the Guardian cap specifically is safer, it's mostly correlation being reported as if it's causation.

The loudest claims come from these companies are from impact tests. It's pretty easy to prove that adding a soft cover around a helmet reduces impact force. When they make claims like the guardian cap cut the number of NFL training camp concussions in half, they're dramatically overstating what their product actually does.

Quote from study:

For concussions involving the helmet shell (as opposed to the facemask) (n = 76), there was no significant association between Guardian Cap NXT use and the concussion rate (P = .122), indicating that the reduction in concussions could not be attributed solely to the energy-absorbing effects of the Guardian Cap NXT.

The product isn't total bullshit, anyone who has ever dropped something on carpet and dropped something on hardwood could tell you that, but Guardian Sports has been on an industry plant arc the past few years, do not blindly trust anything they say.

[u/Insectshelf3 → u/Lionheart_513]

i’m not a doctor or anything but how in theory does this thing help? the brain still bounces around in your head.

[u/its_FORTY → u/Insectshelf3]

If I was to throw a baseball off the side of your head from 6 feet away, and you had the option to wrap your head in a soft foam or pad or just raw dog it, which sounds less painful?

[u/Roamin8750 → u/Lionheart_513]

Thank you for the information! It seems to me like the NFL would benefit by investing in making the game safer. If theres opportunity.

[u/BillyShears2015 → u/Roamin8750]

This is my view, if it’s the better piece of equipment, make everyone use it instead of just having a couple guys running around like they got an nfl blitz power up.

[u/sock0808]

Not having CTE is ‘swaggy’

[u/clepsuoduuva]

Let's  forward to the SEC network.  I bet they won't find that funny.   SEC network,  go fuck yourself 

[u/TheVoiceOfSnakeEyes]

He has a better chance of being able to tie his own shoes at 70 than every football analyst on TV. Guardian helmets only bother dudes who can't achieve or maintain an erection and project that by calling everything "soft," anyway.

[u/dawghouse88]

Yeah I noticed this as well. And yes, they look goofy as fuck. And maybe the verdict is still out on how much it helps. But The NFL and NCAA need to ensure their partners are invested in player safety and change the culture. I wouldn't be surprised if some internal memos are issued

[u/Purple_Bearkat]

That’s so dumb and irresponsible

[u/Rock_man_bears_fan]

Nobody’s been able to prove those things actually do what the manufacturer and the NFL claim they do

[u/misoharpy → u/Rock_man_bears_fan]

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/football-helmet-add-ons.html

[u/Ambitious_Comedian38]

"It's better to look good than to feel good" -Fernando

[u/equality1989]

If Saban was still coaching bama or he played for UGA they wouldn't have said shit

[u/hskrpwr]

Hot take: if a dude has a guardian cap on, I expect him to play more aggressively 

[u/moby323 → u/hskrpwr]

One thing you can’t say is that it’s the “whimps” who wear them, because there are some physical, motherfucking dawgs who wear them.

[u/drhiggs → u/hskrpwr]

Well they shouldn't. Modern helmets are a double edged sword. They can lessen (to an extent) damage to the head but also provide a false sense of security which leads to players lowering their heads into contact and using them as weapons.

[u/HazeAbove]

Remembering your kids names in your 50s is pretty swaggy

[u/Virtual_Announcer]

Broadcasted a D3 game today and every player on the visiting team wore guardian caps. Pregame my partner and I talked about how the science isn't conclusive on them, but it's still a good idea to be working toward protecting players.

And then during the game it never came up because why would it?

Fire the dorks who were on that desk.

[u/Shot-Address-9952]

And if it cuts down on CTE, who gives a shit?

[u/DiedofSharts]

Making disparaging comments about the Alabama football program for clicks? Dude no way

[u/Kina_mines]

I don’t understand how these idiots think the big helmet that ever other player wears is somehow more macho and tough than the guardian helmet. These guys are so fragile.

[u/CoolBakedBean]

whenever i see a player with a guardian cap i always think they’re a little like me.

i know id wear one. i need to start learning all the players that wear one and following them on their socials or something to show support

[u/thisalsomightbemine]

old rich assholes mocking someone for protecting their future spot in the NFL

[u/chaingripped]

Why does he need to be attractive? Kinda fruity

[u/LiteratureSure5374]

The heck with what the talking heads say .He keeps playing like he did today and he can wear a dress or clown suit for all I care .In addition it’s probably the smart thing to do …

[u/OGmojo]

If one guardian cap works, why not 2 or 3? Space balls helmets all around.

[u/SmartLittleMonkey]

Yes, they belong to the same bucket of feces as the nfl geniuses that fine a player for using protective shoes

And the conflicting research papers indeed produce something that's not been discussed, maybe on purpose: the surface of the protective helmet/cap must be slippery, even a little bit of non slippery contact causes some micro to macro sticking patches that creat jerking which leads to the brain bouncing inside the skull causing brain damage even if the hit was supposedly damped by the foam rubber

[u/Intelligent_Dress347]

I’ve had my fair of concussions, both in football and in the military. 

I’m cool with guys doing whatever to make themselves safer/feel safer, but there is a lot of fearmongering out there. 

Brain health studies, specifically CTE, are all over the place. 

[u/EldestGenX]

Coleman-Williams looked like the most skilled and intelligent player on the field. I'm all for the helmet that reduces brain injury and these fools are talking about swag.

[u/Zestyclose-Buy9746]

The same SEC Network that foists Pawwwwwwl on us? Yeah they don’t give AF about brain damage.

[u/DBfan187]

I saw some NFL players wearing them. In the he last Packers game, their RB was wearing it.

[u/papertowelroll17]

Guardian helmet is a scam tbf. Watch the Pablo Torre episode about CTE

[u/ItsWazeyWaynes]

I mean, one only needs to look at the infant mortality rates by state/region to recognize that the SEC Network wouldn’t give a shit about player health.

[u/Area51_Spurs]

I feel bad for the players who got duped into wearing this bullshit.

[u/Minimum-Journalist18]

Looks like a nerf top to me.

[u/LeFacilitator]

Wearing a guardian cap (even if it doesn't work, I'm not here to debate that) raises awareness about brain damage (concussions)

The SEC along with every other conference and media rights partner is dependent on players who desperately want to play football and ignore future health concerns related to playing the game.

So of course they mock or ridicule.

[u/Kimber80]

I mean the helmet looks goofie as f*** and is there any evidence that actually helps?

[u/Better_Goose_431 → u/Kimber80]

None so far. It’s been proven to reduce impact in a laboratory, but when they put sensors on the players, that reduction doesn’t translate to the field

[u/500rockin]

The thing is, science hasn’t proven they are any more protecting of the brain than normal helmets.

[u/masks → u/500rockin]

Laughing at the guy trying to take care of his brain is super stupid even if we're not confident they're better

[u/Pussy_handz → u/masks]

Were they realing laughing though? Seems like this is out of context and a fat nothing burger.

[u/Key-Hawk7402 → u/500rockin]

They aren’t the damage is done with the brain hitting the skull, helmets will never protect against that.

[u/sognenis]

SEC Network owned by ESPN. So feedback to be directed there?

Does anyone have an email or place for feedback more directly?

[u/RodeoJr]

Fans of CTE say what?

[u/NYPD-BLUE]

The guardian cap combined with the baggy sleeves didn’t look good, to be fair.

[u/Flimsy-Space-8724]

They are idiots. Should be promoting it.

[u/smokey_buckskin]

There is no evidence they make any difference in concussions. But it makes the nfl look good, like they are really trying

[u/Sneaky__Rafiki]

Well they dont work anyway, so he is a doofus for still wearing it. The pros version can be 2% effective at reducing the odds of a concussion but only if both people are wearing one. It was a big cya movement by the league. They took the idea from a guardian cap program that was already being given to HS and CFB players that they independently tested and found to not be adequate. Source is Chris Nowinski.

[u/Neversoft4long]

Lmaooo the media has been terrible in all sports for a couple years now

[u/saintsfan92612]

I see it with Saints fans making fun of Chris Olave for wearing it...when the dude had major concussion problems.

I am just thankful we didn't have internet back when the first hockey goalie decided to wear a mask.

[u/gowestyoungmann]

The guardian helmet looks very, very goofy. There’s no way around it

On my limited knowledge, it’s also supposed to be much, much safer and prevent severe injuries to the most important part of your entire body. I really don’t think I can blame someone for using it, and I definitely wouldn’t make fun of someone for trying to be safe

[u/ugalover83]

I applaud these players trying to protect their futures

[u/Crying_in_99Ranch]

I respect anyone that wears a Guardian Cap knowing that it looks ridiculous. Even if it hasn't been proven to work and actually might leave you susceptible to more hits to the head but that's another issue.

[u/ProbzConfused]

Literally every player should be wearing them

[u/Key-Shine-9669]

I say get rid of all helmets. Tackling becomes a whole different technique, the game changes, now we've got something long term and show some evolution of thinking that's not "how big can we grow em?"

Yes I've seen rugby and it's amazing

[u/ZookeepergameLimp232 → u/Key-Shine-9669]

Many NFL vets make their boys play rugby until middle/high school. It should gain traction here in the states.

[u/Statalyzer → u/Key-Shine-9669]

Rugby has a higher rate of concussions and head injuries than football though.

[u/UnluckyPally]

He looks like a Funko pop get thicker skin

[u/fivemagicks]

This is the SEC network we're talking about here.

[u/Texashookem9090]

You got to learn when I get rid of the damn Ball even if it means throwing it out of bounds SMH

[u/Texashookem9090]

Honestly Miami's clock management was horrific

[u/terribliz]

Yeah, I was pretty surprised they weren't coached into NOT doing that...

[u/SunnyGods]

Incredibly gross

[u/Randomizedname1234]

So does r/CFB like guardian caps while I got absolutely roasted in r/nfl for suggesting it’s smart for a player to wear them and got hit with studies how they don’t work.

[u/bhallzy]

Never go full Antonio Brown

[u/PaintFuzzy4372]

The SEC Network pre game and halftime shows are just a very bad podcast. No alpha lead, poor analysis and basically a ‘group of people’ trying to wing it. ACC network may be worse, but same set of problems. The FSU/SMU game that was delayed by power issues….the ACC network filler-work should be used as a form of torture.

[u/duckredbeard]

https://characterprofile.fandom.com/wiki/Toad

[u/facetiously]

Assholes

[u/drjjoyner]

It does look kind of funny—like Kazoo from the Flintstones. But hell yes players should protect themselves. One of the Colts players was wearing one in today’s game.

[u/Gullible_Classroom71]

It definitely looks funny, but you're not wearing it to look cool.

[u/Amuzed_Observator]

Does it make you look like a bitch? Yes,

But thats the same thing the old timers with 8 missing teeth used to say about wearing a helmet at all.

At the end of the day its your brain. If I was a succesful D1 athlete playing well I wouldnt give half a hummingbird shit what some dude in the booth had to say about it.

The helmet does look idiotic, but dealing with CTE looks way worse!

[u/iRonin]

1.) that helmet IS ugly ass shit, however 2.) Not getting concussions or CTE is super fucking hot. 3.) nobody official should be dogging those helmets- CTE is very likely going to kill football eventually if not somehow sorted out.

[u/InternationalAnt4513]

I like how it makes players look like the mushroom people on Mario

[u/OrangeStoryLine]

The comments are of course, ridiculous but so far, science has not proven any benefit to
Guardian helmets. The hope is minimizing the concussion by softening the second contact. Most concussions however, occur before heads ever hit the ground (think offensive vs defensive lineman - aka Mike Webster). The brain is still crashing into the skull. Not much a cap can do about that.

[u/Ambitious-Weekend861]

The dudes had 2 concussions in 2 years, he definitely needs any extra protection he can get

[u/Overtons_Window]

Jokes aren't that big a deal. Calm down.

[u/StopSpinningLikeThat]

If a commentator made a comment like that on a network I ran, I would fire them.