Saints' Chris Olave explains why he wears a Guardian Cap, what it means for his family
New Orleans Saints wideout Chris Olave debuted a Guardian Cap during his team's 31-30 overtime defeat against the Detroit Lions in their first contest of the season. The former eleventh overall draft selection dominated individually, hauling in 10 receptions for 182 yards to capture the league's top receiving spot while posting the franchise's second-highest receiving yardage total in a kickoff game.
Despite his on-field success, Olave's protective headgear stood out, reflecting a proactive health choice following four diagnosed concussions sustained across his initial 39 career appearances.
Speaking after the matchup, the pass catcher explained that his growing family prompted the decision to disregard aesthetics and prioritize post-retirement well-being. The soft-shelled padding, introduced in 2010 to mitigate collision forces, became mandatory for designated roles throughout 2022 summer sessions before the league sanctioned its use in games.
Recent scientific research highlighted the urgency of brain protection, as a study in The BMJ indicated that at least a quarter of deceased ex-pros examined from 2016 through 2021 suffered from CTE, a condition stemming from recurrent skull trauma.
