WBRC (Birmingham, AL)
February 10, 2025
MOUNTAIN BROOK, Ala. (WBRC) – The Mountain Brook High School Spartans made Alabama High School Football history last season. In a late October game at Shades Valley, Mountain Brook became the first team in the state to wear Guardian Caps during a game.
“I think you should coach every player like he’s your son. You’re about to send your son into a high-risk environment. Are you going to send him out with the best equipment to protect him?” said Mountain Brook head football coach Chris Yeager.
Yeager has been at Mountain Brook since 2006. When he first arrived on campus, Yeager told parents that Mountain Brook was going to be the safest program in America.
Guardian Caps, an extra layer of protection that straps on to helmets, have been around for 15 years. When a player is involved in a head-to-head collision and is wearing a Guardian Cap, 11-12% of the force of the hit is absorbed by the cap, according to NFL research. That number nearly doubles when both players involved in the collision are wearing Guardian Caps.
Well, when the Alabama High School Athletic Association approved the in-game use of Guardian Caps last fall, Yeager brought the idea to his players. After discussion, they decided they wanted to do it.
One of those leaders was Mac Mandell, a junior on the team that has a history with concussions. He says the caps are making a big difference.
“I think that impact is where I’ve gotten my last two concussions. And that impact is felt a lot less on my head and I’ve talked to several of my teammates that agree,” said Mandell.
Mountain Brook wore the caps the rest of the season and plans to continue wearing them next season and beyond.
“Does it prevent concussions? No,” said Yeager. “But I think the fact that you have coaches that are making the effort now has given parents a greater piece of mind.”