INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts tight finish Kylen Granson wore a Guardian Cap over his helmet in the course of the preseason and plans to proceed doing so within the common season to additional shield his mind from long-term injury.
“At one level individuals thought seatbelts have been f—ing silly,” Granson advised The Athletic on Thursday. “Why wouldn’t I (put on it)? Simply because it appears foolish? I really feel like well being and security is extra necessary than aesthetics.”
After Granson’s feedback went viral, the four-year professional defined his place even additional in an Instagram video Friday. Granson and lots of of different NFL gamers started carrying Guardian Caps, primarily soft-shell pads connected to their helmets, when the NFL mandated sure place teams put on them in observe forward of the 2022 season.
He’s preferred the outcomes up to now, and now that the league will permit gamers to put on them in video games, Granson believes it’s a “no-brainer” for him to additional shield his mind.
“There’s no quantity of aesthetic that would outweigh what a TBI (traumatic mind harm) might do to you,” Granson stated through Instagram. “And one of many extra unknown issues is that not solely is it the massive hits that you need to fear about, it’s the end result of a bunch of little hits.”
He in contrast somebody’s mind to Jell-O, explaining each time a soccer participant takes successful and their mind shakes like Jell-O, it could not appear to be a lot within the second nevertheless it might have a dire and even lethal impact down the road. Granson additionally famous lots of of those little mind shakes can happen from OTAs and coaching camp within the offseason, a three-game preseason, a 17-game common season and much more video games if a group reaches the playoffs.
Granson, 26, suffered a concussion in a Week 6 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars final 12 months and was sidelined for the following two video games.
Nonetheless, Granson stated he would nonetheless put on a Guardian Cap even when he hadn’t sustained a concussion. The tragic tales of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Junior Seau and former New England Patriots tight finish and convicted assassin Aaron Hernandez, who each died by suicide and have been later recognized with CTE, function sobering reminders for Granson.
“I wish to reside ceaselessly,” Granson advised The Athletic, partly joking. “I don’t need anybody to dig me up after I’m gone and examine my mind.”
Granson elaborated much more on Instagram, saying he needs to have the ability to bear in mind the primary dance at his forthcoming wedding ceremony “30 years from now” and his future youngster’s first steps. However apart from his personal needs, he believes it’s his duty to set an instance for the thousands and thousands of youngsters who look as much as NFL gamers.
“I wish to encourage youngsters to suppose that well being and security can also be cool,” Granson stated on Instagram. “You are able to do cool issues out on the soccer subject and nonetheless put on a Guardian Cap. I would like my (future) youngsters to put on helmets once they journey a motorbike. … As a result of there’s no quantity of cool that will be price strolling right into a hospital room and your youngster’s in a vegetative state as a result of they weren’t carrying a helmet. As a result of they didn’t wish to look dumb.”
Since 2022, the NFL reviews Guardian Caps have resulted in a 50 p.c lower in concussions amongst gamers who’ve worn them in observe.
NFL government vp Jeff Miller advised ESPN earlier this 12 months along with Guardian Caps, “there are new helmets this 12 months that present as a lot — if no more — safety than a distinct helmet mannequin paired with a Guardian Cap.”
Finally, it’s nonetheless the participant’s alternative, and it definitely makes for a scorching subject in NFL locker rooms. Some Colts gamers, who’re supportive of Granson carrying a Guardian Cap, are vehemently towards carrying one themselves due to the way it appears. Granson is certainly one of no less than two Indianapolis gamers who will don the added head gear regardless, as security Rodney Thomas II advised The Athletic he plans to put on a Guardian Cap in the course of the common season, too.
Colts operating again Jonathan Taylor is arguably essentially the most distinguished NFL participant to put on a Guardian Cap in the course of the preseason, although he was noncommittal about carrying it within the common season.
Granson stated through Instagram he loves soccer with all of his coronary heart, nevertheless it’s not price placing his life or his household’s life in danger as a result of he’s afraid of being ridiculed or perceived as gentle.
“It’s greater than me. It’s greater than simply trying cool,” Granson stated. “And if I can do the identical issues on the sector, and be secure on the similar time, why would I not need that? As a fan, why would you not need that? A few of your greatest gamers might play for longer and shield their well being.”
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(Picture: Jeff Moreland / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)
