Riders' Bertrand-Hudon makes history for being first to wear Guardian Cap in CFL game

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon made history last Friday when he became the first player to wear a Guardian Cap in a Canadian Football League [CFL] game.

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon made history last Friday when he became the first player to wear a Guardian Cap in a Canadian Football League [CFL] game.

“I was at a position where a lot of guys got hurt before and I just wanted to think about my safety. So I basically talked to the equipment managing staff [before the game] and asked them if I could wear it,” he said.

A Guardian Cap is a helmet cover used for impact reduction and to prevent concussions.  

The Canadian said the decision was based on where he was placed on the depth chart for that matchup and a previous injury he suffered in the position.

“I already had a concussion at the beginning of the year on kickoff actually. So they took me off [kickoff] for a little bit and it was my first game back at kickoff. So I just wanted to be safe,” he explained.

Bertrand-Hudon said he has experienced three concussions during his football career.

In 2023, the league mandated the Guardian Cap for certain positions to be worn at practice to help prevent concussions. Bertrand-Hudon said that helped with getting used to wearing it during the game.