Guardian Caps may change NFL helmets’ look. But at what cost?

By Noah Cohan, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis Fall brings football season in the U.S. and, with it, the parade of distinctively decorated helmets that the players wear. Over time, the shape and size of these helmets have gradually changed, from the leather head coverings of the early 20th century to the space-age plastic domes we’re accustomed to seeing today. But the visual profiles of some NFL football helmets may change drastically in 2024. The league has approved the in-game use of padded helmet accessories known as Guardian Caps, which, according to the NFL, “can reduce the force from head contact” by up to 20%. A backlash has already begun. Some players have complained that the devices are unwieldy. And both fans and players have blanched at how the blocky accessory makes players’ heads seem disproportionately large. Because I’m working on a cultural history of the football helmet, I’m eager to see what transpires. In a multibillion-dollar sport in which the helmet is the preeminent branding space and symbol of the game, what happens when the imperative of player safety conflicts with its visual appeal? We’re about to find out. From the practice field to the...