UNM football players ponder the potential of Guardian caps

With increasing scrutiny on player safety, particularly as it relates to concussions and long-term brain health, Lobo football players considered the possible introduction of Guardian caps at the University of New Mexico.

As the sport of football evolves, so does the equipment used to protect its athletes. An innovation that is gaining traction is the Guardian cap, a softshell helmet cover that reduces impact during training and games. The NFL announced earlier this season that Guardian Caps could be used in games.

The Guardian cap has been shown to absorb shock and reduce the severity of collisions that commonly occur in football. The caps can reduce stress for youth by up to 33% and are reported to reduce significant injuries in the NFL for linemen, tight ends and linebackers by 52% University hospitals.

Some UNM football players have experience using Guardian caps with other programs.

Running back NaQuari Rogers wore the caps to prevent injuries at Campbell University in North Carolina before transferring to UNM. He said the Guardian caps wouldn’t be a bad thing given his position.

“As far as my position … we see contact on every play, damn it,” Rogers said. “If we run the ball — or block, catch or whatever — I would prefer it.”

As a running back, Rogers is in danger of being tackled on almost every play. Brown University attributes the hardest hits in games to running backs and the highest frequency of hits per game to linemen.

Another football player on the UNM roster is Okiki Olorunfunmi, who plays outside linebacker and defensive end for the Lobos. Olorunfunmi believes the caps are beneficial but says they may not be popular due to their appearance.

“I think it’s cool to wear a Guardian hat… They’re not the best eye candy, but they definitely do the job,” Olorunfunmi said. “I think if they could find a way to make it more stylish and attractive on game jerseys, more athletes would choose to wear it.”

Malik Aliane is a center on the UNM football team. Although he has never worn a Guardian cap before, he said he would be open to donning one on game day.

“That’s something that’s really important, especially for a lineman,” Aliane said. “(The equipment staff) does a great job making sure we have the best equipment to keep us safe on the field.”

Aliane believes UNM could eventually acquire Guardian caps, he said, and they could help student-athletes pursue long careers after college by minimizing contact-related head trauma.

“Honestly, I think they look silly. But at the end of the day, a lot of us want to have a long career, and I think that’s very important in the long run,” Aliane said.

Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobocom or at X @kubiakizabella