Montoursville varsity football players work out Wednesday afternoon during practice as they wear extra protective headgear Nov. 1, 2023.
The padded headgear, made by Guardian Caps, goes over their helmet for extra protection from head trauma during practices.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Montoursville football players have taken steps this season to safeguard themselves against head injuries.
During practice sessions, players at the varsity and junior high levels are wearing Guardian Caps to help better cushion and sustain blows to the head.
“We wear them during practices at all times. They just go over the helmet,” Montoursville Warriors Head Coach Joe Hanna said. “They are pretty light.”
Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships and C&I Boiler Repair donated money to purchase the Guardian Caps for the players.
Hanna said the protective headgear was something being considered by the football program for some time.
A helmet sits on the field as the Montoursville varsity football players work out Wednesday afternoon during practice as they wear extra protective headgear Nov. 1, 2023.
The padded headgear, made by Guardian Caps, goes over their helmet for extra protection from head trauma during practices.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
However, not much information was known about the caps until recent years.
In 2022, the National Football League required all linemen, linebackers and tight ends to wear the soft-shell helmet covers for part of spring training camp and found that players with the caps sustained concussions and general impact at a significantly reduced rate.
The NFL reportedly has not ruled out eventually allowing players to wear the caps in games.
Hanna and the football booster club contacted local donors to consider purchasing the caps.
In addition, parents concerned about players’ safety had reached out to Hanna.
Montoursville quarterback Jimmy Mussina (center) works out with the rest of the varsity football players Wednesday afternoon during practice as they wear extra protective headgear Nov. 1, 2023.
The padded headgear, made by Guardian Caps, goes over their helmet for extra protection from head trauma during practices.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
The fatal head injury sustained by Jersey Shore Area High School football player Max Engel in September further brought awareness of the need for safeguarding his own players, Hanna said.
Hanna noted that a head injury isn’t necessarily the result of a single blow to the head but often from repeated contact such as that which occurs among opposing linemen.
“The kids don’t mind them (caps). They love them,” he said. “It doesn’t bother them at all.” I haven’t heard any complaints.”
The exterior of the caps is padded, a soft-shell layer designed to reduce impact to the hard shell of the helmet. Hanna said he plans to continue having his players wear them.
“Anything that protects our kids,” he said.
Hanna noted that football practices overall are designed to be safer for kids with less full contact than in years past.
Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox
A state lawmaker is adamant about his rejection of pending legislation that would expand setback requirements for …
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and …
A motion for bail has been scheduled for a January hearing in the case of Kenneth Richard Michaels, 65, the chief …
Longstanding problems with Frontier Communications telephone and Internet service for customers in Sullivan, Tioga, …
2023-11-02 06:31:20
#Montoursville #caps #added #layer #protection #football #players #News #Sports #Jobs
