Legendary Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas died from a seizure in 2021. After his death, doctors figured out he had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The following NFL season, guardian caps became a mandate in all fall mini-camps.
Since 2022, guardian caps have grown in popularity in football games. Many players at all levels of the game have chosen to wear them. However, UIL officials have not made them a mandate in games yet, but more Texas schools – including Westlake – are adopting them in practice.
“We’re able to do a lot more when we wear the guardians at practice,” senior captain Thompson Bennett said. “It lets us crash down on people during competition without having to worry too much.”
The guardians have proven to protect players significantly. Head impact severity was reduced by 9% when one player was wearing a guardian compared to not. And 20% when both players are equipped with them. The NFL reported 182 concussions last season, the lowest reported since tracking began in 2015 and down 17% from the 2023-2024 season.
Some players have elected not to wear them. Senior running back Sebastian Henault opted not to wear it in games or practice.
To him, the issue is simple: he doesn’t want football to feel different than what he’s used to.
“Football players are meant to be tough,” Henault said. “It’s American football.”
Henault, coming off a mild concussion that put him out for the week, continued to not wear the cap in full contact practices.
Henault’s perspective represents a mindset in the sport that is long-standing: toughness and tradition over safety and protection. Although safety concerns are rising, many players are opposed to the idea entirely.
“It’s just not what it used to be,” Henault said. “A helmet is a helmet, I don’t want or need anything extra”
Some players have vocalized that the guardian makes it too hard to hear and get the call, making it easier to understand perspectives like Henault’s.
Even with this setback, players have adapted to wearing the guardians in practice, especially linemen who make head-to-head contact every play.
Henault feels as if his position makes the adjustment with the guardian more difficult.
“I’m reacting to every play as a running back, got to see holes and things of that nature” the senior said.
Henault, who sticks out like a sore thumb when he’s on the field due to his helmet being loaded with stickers of stars, footballs and skulls and his two mouth guards, said that aesthetics matter more than people will admit.
“I mean honestly, it’s just part of the look,” Henault said. “It makes the helmet look ugly and like a dang bobble head.”
Even though there’s endless data backing the cap from the NFL, Henault still believes it should be a personal preference.
“If anyone wants to wear it they should,” he said. “I’m not telling them not to, it’s just not me.”
As guardian caps become the norm, at least in practice,there’s a divide between players that elect to wear them and players who think it ruins the tradition of the game. For some, safety is the priority. For Henault, it’s playing the game the only way he knows how to – Physically.
