‘Guardian cap’ to prevent head injuries mandated for practices, CFL says

Players were mandated to wear a product called Guardian Cap in training camp and padded practices. The cap is a soft-shell helmet cover designed to reduce the force of head impact.

There are some big heads on CFL practice fields this season.

Players in four position groups were mandated to wear a product called Guardian Cap in training camp and padded practices. The cap is a soft-shell helmet cover designed to reduce the force of head impact.

Fans won’t see the caps in games, but clusters of lumpy helmeted heads on the practice field is a different look from previous years.

Corrugated foam strapped onto an already-padded helmet makes players’ heads look outsized and bobblehead-like, even on a 270-pound lineman.

“They look really goofy, but I mean, they’re meant to help our brains and possibly help in CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) prevention,” Calgary Stampeders defensive tackle Mike Rose said.

“I guess we’ll find out in 25 years.”

Stampeders running back Peyton Logan says he wore the caps in college practices in 2020 and 2021, so he’s accustomed to them.

“I do look like a bobblehead when I’m out there,” Logan said.