HEAD SCRATCHER
NFL unveils new-look helmets for first time in preseason in bid to improve safety – but fans are left confused
The new kickoff rule also caused a stir over the weekend
INDIANAPOLIS Colts superstar Jonathan Taylor showed off the NFL's new-look Guardian Cap Sunday.
The helmets are a scaled-down version of the additional protective headgear players wear in practice.
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They will be allowed for the first time in games this year and Taylor, 25, was one of a handful of those who took advantage.
Colts tight end Kylen Granson also sported the cap, with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels believed to be the first man to do so Saturday.
“My head doesn’t hurt, so that’s good," Daniels said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Hopefully more and more people start wearing them.”
Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard was not a fan, however, and replied "ew" to a photo of Taylor's look.
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Fans were similarly divided over the new helmets, which are designed to help protect against concussions and could become mandatory in future.
"Looks like a giant diaper on his head," posted one.
Another asked: "How is a pillow case gonna stop concussions?"
"Surely someone can find a way to make the thing look good. With all the money at the disposal of the NFL, there is no reason anyone should be wearing a spandex swim cap over their helmet," a third commented.
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Many fans were happy enough with the design and in favor of the safety benefits.
"Good for him. Doesn’t want to get CTE," wrote one.
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"All players should be wearing them IMO. Provides so much extra protection," added another.
"Looks fine, and I’m sure they will continue to make improvements to the look. Who cares man," a third commented.
The new helmets were not the only change making headlines over the weekend.
A safety call in the Kansas City Chiefs' preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars completely baffled NFL fans – as well as several people on the field.
Why is the NFL allowing players to wear Guardian Caps?
The NFL announced in April that players will be allowed to wear extra protective headgear in games to increase player health and safety.
They are designed to reduce the risk of head injury in high-impact collisions and were introduced in practice in 2022 - leading to a 50 percent reduction in concussions.
The NFL says that they can reduce the force from head contact by 10 percent if one player is wearing it, and 20 percent if all players involved are wearing them.
"We now have two years of data showing significant concussion reductions among players who wear Guardian Caps during practice so players will be permitted to wear the cap during games this upcoming season," said NFL executive Jeff Miller.
"Additionally, there are new helmets this year that provide as much – if not more – protection than a different helmet model paired with a Guardian Cap.
"These developments represent substantial progress in our efforts to make the game safer for players."
NFL players will have 12 new helmets - including eight that are made specifically for linemen and quarterbacks - to choose from next season.
Seemingly confused by the new kickoff rules, Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman gave up two points in the last second of the first half of the matchup.
Jaguars kicker Cam Little kicked from the 65-yard line with 26 seconds left before halftime.
The ball landed in the end zone, then bounced off the ground and crossed the goal line again.
Hardman ran into the end zone and knelt to down the ball at Jacksonville's one-yard line.
The officials initially called a touchback, causing Jaguars head coach Doug Peterson to protest.
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After a review, the refs changed the ruling and said the Jags scored a safety.
Interestingly, the league's website claimed that Hardman was "tackled" in the end zone for a loss of one yard even though he knelt voluntarily with no Jacksonville players around.