ATLANTA — Gwinnett County Public Schools is becoming the first district in the state to provide all of its high schools with protective caps for football players, officials said.
The district made the announcement on Tuesday, saying that tackle and flag football players will be equipped with a new layer of protection against concussion and other head-related injuries when they take the field this fall.
The county purchased Guardian Caps and Guardian/Xenith Loop concussion caps for its tackle and flag football players. This makes GCPS the first school district in the state and one of a select few in the nation to provide these advanced protective measures for student-athletes at all its high schools, according to a release.
GCPS Director of Athletics Jason Holcombe said they are excited to be at the forefront of student-athlete safety.
"The well-being of our students is our top priority, and by investing in these advanced concussion caps, we are taking an important step in protecting them and ensuring they can continue participating in the sport they love safely," Holcombe stated.
Guardian Caps are used in college football programs throughout the country. The NFL mandated the use of Guardian Caps during certain parts of team training camps during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. This resulted in a 50% reduction in player concussions, according to a release. Now, for the 2024 season, the NFL is allowing players to wear Guardian Caps during actual games.
Guardian Sports, located in Peachtree Corners, created the Guardian Cap and Guardian/Xenith Loop. Holcombe said they didn't buy the caps because the company is located in Gwinnett County; instead, it's just a bonus.
"We bought them because studies show they work. With that said, it's reassuring to know that the company is nearby, is invested in the safety of our student-athletes, and can respond promptly if we need assistance," Holcombe said.