Smuts' NFL Thread

[Lineker's Lugs]

1 minute ago, Golden Fox said:

Massive news in the NFL today:

https://uni-watch.com/2024/04/26/nfl-bombshell-players-can-now-wear-guardian-caps-in-games/

Looks like we might be seeing guardian caps on the field this year. 

 

I love the aesthetics of the NFL, and the helmet is the most important part of that, so it would be a radical departure. 

 

But its such a brutal sport, anything to make it safer has to be applauded as a step forward. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

[Golden Fox]

4 minutes ago, Lineker's Lugs said:

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

I'm not so sure. I think there has been a sea change over the last 10 years or so. Players like Andrew Luck (and Chris Borland who retired after 1 season with the 49ers) show players are more aware of the long term damage the game can cause and willing to act on it. I'm sure a lot of players will succumb to peer pressure, but I think there will be a few who wear them. 

 

Technology is improving all the time - I'm sure existing manufacturers will say their new helmets are as safe, but the theory that a softer outer shell absorbs more impact than a hard shell makes sense to me, to the players and the NFL. Will be interesting to watch how this develops.

[SouthStandUpperTier]

On 27/04/2024 at 19:21, Lineker's Lugs said:

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

I think another reason why take-up will be small to non-existent is the same reason amateur male boxers lobbied to get rid of headguards - they make your head a bigger target. 

 

Even if they lessen the impact of blows to the head, that will be offset by the extra glancing blows you take just by wearing one.