The highly anticipated return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to the field will happen this Sunday, but what has caught the attention of many is his decision to go helmet-to-helmet with opponents without the added protection of a Guardian Cap.
Tagovailoa has been known for taking player safety seriously, as evidenced by his choice of the VICIS ZERO2 MATRIX ID QB helmet, which has been lauded by the NFL for its top-notch ability to reduce head-impact severity. By forgoing the Guardian Cap, Tagovailoa is stepping on the field with a sense of confidence in his gear that is hard to ignore.
Returning from his third known concussion in his NFL career, Tagovailoa’s choice to wear the VICIS helmet without the Guardian Cap is a calculated one. According to NFL chief medical doctor Allen Sills, some helmets, like the one Tagovailoa wears, have shown in laboratory testing that the additional padding from a Guardian Cap may not provide the same level of benefit as it would on other helmets. In fact, Sills explains that the Vicis Zero2-R Matrix ID is the type of helmet that falls into the “Guardian Cap optional” category due to its performance in mitigating force without the added layer of protection.
Scientists conduct rigorous tests on helmets in labs to simulate on-field collisions, and the data gathered from these tests is compared to real-world data pulled from RFID tags in players’ helmets to evaluate their effectiveness at reducing force. This meticulous process helps the league identify the best helmets for player safety, and Tagovailoa’s choice in equipment reflects a blend of cutting-edge technology and personal preference.
Despite the availability of the Guardian Cap this season for players to use, no quarterback has opted to wear one in-game. The extra weight the Guardian Cap adds could be a factor in players’ decisions, as Tagovailoa pointed out when asked about his choice not to wear it, stating simply that it was a “personal choice.”
As Tagovailoa prepares to face the Cardinals this Sunday, his return to the game will not only be a testament to his resilience but also a showcase of his trust in his equipment. With the league’s top medical experts closely monitoring player safety, the decision to forgo the Guardian Cap adds another layer of intrigue to Tagovailoa’s anticipated comeback.
