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Guardian Helmet Covers to Increase Safety for Cranston East and West Football Players
Legislative grant will fund soft shell helmet covers for football players at Cranston high schools
House Education Committee Chairman Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) joined other members of the General Assembly’s Cranston delegation to present a legislative grant, which will provide funding for football helmet covers at Cranston’s high schools.
The $6,000 grant was presented to Mike Traficante, director of athletics at Cranston Public Schools, and Mayor Kenneth Hopkins at Cranston City Hall today. Joining Representative McNamara was Rep. Christopher G. Paplauskas (R-Dist. 15, Cranston). The entire Cranston General Assembly delegation was unanimous in its sponsorship of the grant.
Known by the trade name Guardian Caps, helmet covers are large, soft-shelled pads worn over football helmets with the objective of reducing the risk of concussions and other head injuries during play.
According to research by the National Football League, the cap can absorb at least 10% of the force of a hit, and 20% when it’s a collision between two players.
With the purchase of the helmet covers, Cranston will join Warwick in providing the safety equipment to its students.
“Many high schools in Rhode Island are providing these helmet covers for their players,” said Representative McNamara. “They reduce the force of head impacts and greatly diminish the chances of getting a concussion. We would like to see every high school football player having access to these helmet covers.”
McNamara, who was a standout football player at Pilgrim High School and was named to the Providence Journal’s All-State team during his senior year in 1968, was presented with the Distinguished American Award by the Emo DiNitto/Rhode Island Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame last year.
Photo: RI Legislative Press
Does it protect against the contractual injury?
You raise an interesting point. Stats say they offer 10% more protection and one stat goes up to about 20% – better than without. The bill that would make these covers mandatory was passed in the House, held for study in the Senate. And there is sits until the next session.