BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – UAB Sports Medicine recently partnered with the Monday Morning Quarterback Club to donate 800 Guardian Caps to Birmingham Youth Sports League football teams, providing an extra layer of head protection for young athletes.
Guardian Caps are protective covers that attach to football helmets to help absorb impact. The 10U Crestwood Colts wore the caps this fall, and coach Curtis Austin says the players were excited to wear them.
“You see a lot of NFL players and college players with them. And, man, when they found out they were getting them, they were through the roof,” Austin said.
Austin said proper equipment is important for kids learning tackling technique.
“Kids are going to naturally put their heads down. Their heads come in contact a lot more than you would want it to. Having those Guardian Caps, it provides and extra layer of protection when we’re going through drills, teaching, and in the games,” Austin said.
The caps can cost upwards of $100 each, making them unaffordable for some families. UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine donated the equipment to help remove the cost barrier and promote brain health in young athletes.
Steven Brown, UAB’s Chief of Sports and Exercise Medicine, says the caps have proven to be helpful with reducing concussions.
“I tell people it’s like an air bag for the helmet. To serve as a shock absorber and help reduce the stress and the forces that impact the brain just with everyday hits in football,” Dr. Brown said.
Dr. Brown says he frequently talks with parents who are hesitant about their children playing football.
“The most important part is making sure you play for a team and a league that stresses appropriate tackling technique, appropriate equipment,” Brown said.
UAB’s goal is to turn the initiative into a trackable study to determine if the caps reduce concussions in youth athletes.
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