WFMJ (Youngstown, OH)
August 27, 2024
Liberty Local Schools is proud to announce that every player on the Liberty Leopards football team will now be equipped with Guardian Caps, an advanced safety measure aimed at reducing the risk of head injuries during practices. These caps will be mandatory at every practice session, reflecting the district’s commitment to student-athlete safety.
Guardian Caps are made from a soft, shock-absorbing material designed to reduce the force of impacts on the head. By absorbing and dispersing the energy from collisions, these caps lower the risk of concussions and other head injuries, a critical concern in contact sports like football.
Guardian Caps, which have been shown to reduce impact forces by up to 33%—and by up to 40% in NFL testing scenarios—represent a significant advancement in player protection. The caps are designed to move independently of the helmet, further reducing the impact forces that can lead to head injuries.
One of the standout features of Guardian Caps is their versatility. They are designed to fit over a wide range of helmet styles and sizes, making them suitable for athletes of all ages and levels. Despite their protective capabilities, the caps are lightweight and comfortable, with most athletes reporting that they do not significantly affect their performance.
Guardian Caps have gained widespread adoption across various professional and amateur sports leagues, including the NFL, NHL, and NCAA, as a proactive measure to enhance athlete safety. Liberty Local Schools is proud to join this growing movement to prioritize the well-being of its student-athletes.
Liberty Head Coach Joe Simon expressed his enthusiasm about introducing Guardian Caps: “I am very excited to be able to get ahead of this at our level. Protecting the brain is our top priority. In the past few years, we’ve integrated top-of-the-line helmets, and now introducing these caps is another step in protecting our players.”
Liberty Athletic Director Todd Smith added, “Player safety is the number one priority when it comes to any of our sports. This device has been proven at higher levels and is now mandatory for college and NFL practices. One NFL study showed that these caps reduced concussions by 50% over a three-year sample size. That was the motivating factor for us. If the school can make a reasonable investment that will protect our players, we have to do that. We are fortunate to have a superintendent and administrative team that shares this perspective. Our goal is to always be proactive when it comes to player safety rather than wait until it’s too late.”
Liberty’s athletic trainer, Ali Kalbfell, who works with Akron Children’s Hospital, is also enthusiastic about the Guardian Caps. “We have seen these caps gain significant exposure in the NFL, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Our student-athletes’ long-term brain health is our number one priority. The thought process is to reduce the impact of the numerous small head-to-head hits they take all week in practice. Numerous studies show that CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is caused by cumulative head impacts. If these caps can reduce the force and impact of each hit, we hope to reduce the chance of long-term brain issues. Additionally, the caps are very lightweight. Initially, I was concerned about potential neck strain because the caps look bulky and heavy, but they are not heavy at all—they weigh only 7 ounces, less than a full glass of water. I am interested to see how these impact our concussion rate and am excited for the future of Liberty football.”