'They've made a world of difference': Local prep football teams using Guardian Caps to combat head injuries

FARGO They're becoming an increasingly-common sight: soft-shell caps strapped over football helmets on college and NFL players.

They're called Guardian Caps, and the NFL is now allowing players to wear them during games.

But area high school football programs have been wearing them in practice for years.

Shanley High School purchased Guardian Caps for their football team in 2017.

Our concussions have gone down a lot," said Shanley football coach Troy Mattern.

"In the past, we would get some concussions in practice and I think that's been eliminated.

Again, that's not the end all, be all, but I think it's just that effect that kids know they have extra safety to go a little bit harder.

I think it's really made a difference." Fargo Davies High School started using Guardian Caps a year or two after Shanley.

Players say the caps are hardly noticeable and have simply become part of their practice gear.

"It was more colleges being in them and not knowing are they going to help or aren't they going to help," said Davies football coach Wayne Werremeyer.

"We knew they weren't going to hurt, so we just made the decision to go for it." The company's website claims its Guardian Caps can reduce impact by up to 40 percent.

Putting the soft-sided material found on the inside of the helmets on the outside.

"They do look a little goofy right away.

Everyones helmet looks really big and its kind of awkward, but they are helpful.

I like them," said Shanley senior David Hollcraft.

In addition to NFL players, Bison football players are wearing the caps in practice along with other area high schools like Sheyenne and Detroit Lakes.

During practice, you don't really notice a difference there each contact.

Then you take it off for a game and it's like, 'oh, you felt that one.' Each hit is a little more," said Shanley senior Max Sornsin.

"Without it on, it's like a brick wall hitting a brick wall.

You're hitting another guy, and then when one of you have it on, it's a little nicer.

But then when both of you are wearing it, not even the head to heads, but especially those, it's cushioned.

It's not as loud, you don't get that shock, but it also is just less force that is getting driven back into you.".

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