INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts tight end Kellen Grantson wore a custodial cap on his helmet during the preseason and plans to continue doing so during the regular season to further protect him. of the brain from long-term damage.
“There was a time when people thought seat belts were stupid,” Grantham told Competitor Thursday. “Why wouldn’t I (wear it)? Just because it looks silly? I think health and safety are more important than aesthetics.
After Grantham’s comments went viral, the four-year pro further explained his stance in an Instagram video on Friday. Grantham and hundreds of other NFL players began wearing Guardian Caps, essentially soft-shell pads attached to helmets, when the NFL required certain position groups to wear them in practices ahead of the 2022 season.
He’s pleased with the results so far, and now that the league will allow players to wear them during games, Grantham believes further protecting his brain is “a no-brainer” for him.
“No amount of aesthetics can combat what a TBI (traumatic brain injury) does to you,” Grantham said on Instagram. “One of the more unknown things is that you don’t just have to worry about the big hit, but a bunch of The pinnacle of minor hits.”
He likened someone’s brain to jelly, explaining that every time a football player takes a hit, their brain jiggles like jelly, which may not seem like a big deal at the time, but it can have horrific and even fatal effects. Grantham also pointed out that hundreds of these small concussions can occur during offseason OTAs and training camp, three preseason games, 17 regular season games, and even more if the team reaches the playoffs. .
Grantham, 26, suffered a concussion in Week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars last year and missed the next two games.
However, Grantham said even if he didn’t suffer a concussion, he would still be wearing a Guardian hat. The tragic stories of Pro Football Hall of Famer Junior Shaw and former New England Patriots tight end and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez, who both died by suicide and were later diagnosed with chronic trauma Sexual encephalopathy, which provided Grantham with a sobering reminder.
“I want to live forever,” Grantham told Competitorhalf-joking. “I don’t want anyone to dig me out and check my brain after I’m gone.”
Grantham elaborated more on Instagram, saying he hopes to remember the first dance at his upcoming wedding “30 years from now” as well as his future children’s first steps. But beyond his own desires, he feels he has a responsibility to set an example for the millions of kids who look up to NFL players.
“I want to inspire kids to think it’s cool to be healthy and safe,” Grantham said on Instagram. “You can do cool stuff on the football field and still wear a Guardian hat. I want my (future) kids to wear helmets when they ride their bikes. … Because no matter how cold it is, it’s not worth walking into the hospital room, and you of kids are in a vegetative state because they don’t wear helmets because they don’t want to look stupid.
The NFL reports that since 2022, players wearing Guardian Caps have experienced a 50% reduction in concussion rates in practice.
NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller told ESPN earlier this year that in addition to the Guardian Caps, “there are new helmets this year that offer just as much protection, if not more, than other helmet models with the Guardian Caps.
Ultimately, it’s still the player’s choice, and it’s certainly a hot topic in NFL locker rooms. Some Colts players supported Granton wearing the Guardians hat but strongly opposed wearing it themselves due to its appearance. As safety Rodney Thomas II said, Grantson is one of at least two Indianapolis players who would have worn the extra head gear anyway Competitor He also plans to wear a Guardian hat during the regular season.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is arguably the most notable NFL player to wear a Guardian cap during the preseason, although he’s noncommittal about wearing one during the regular season.
Grantham said via Instagram that he loves football with all his heart, but it’s not worth risking his life or the lives of his family for fear of being laughed at or seen as weak.
“It’s bigger than me. It doesn’t just look cool,” Grantham said. “If I can do the same thing on the pitch and be safe at the same time, why wouldn’t I want that? As a fan, why wouldn’t I want that? Some of the best players can play longer and protect their healthy.
Must read
(Photo: Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
