Billy Napier addresses evolution of Florida's 'guardian cap' mandate

If you caught any glimpses of college and NFL training camp, you may see a number of teams whose players are wearing guardian caps, a protective helmet cover intended to reduce concussions. The entire Florida Gators team is one of those teams, and head coach Billy Napier discussed what went into that decision.

“I think the guardian caps have been around for a number of years, I think there was an initial idea there and that process got started, you saw them start to pop up different places that we’ve worked in the past we’ve used them. And ultimately the National Football League has been the driver behind all the research to improve player safety and I think that what we’ve learned overtime is that the data would support that the player is 20% less likely to get a concussion in a practice setting if he’s wearing the guardian cap,” Napier said.

Napier clearly supports and is advocating for the safety of his players, and it will be interesting to see how protective helmet equipment continues to evolve as an effort to reduce concussions and helmet to helmet contact permeates throughout all levels of football.

“In the past our line of scrimmage players, our edge players, our front seven players have worn those, and ultimately we’ve made the decision for every player to wear them this year. I think again, it’s a great game we play, it is a physical game, it is a violent game. And I think any and everything we can do to create player safety, to improve player safety, especially in the practice setting, we want to do that. So I’m certainly excited about being one of several teams to make that decision and it’s been good so far,” Napier said.

Billy Napier: ‘Gray area is the enemy’

Florida first year head coach Billy Napier is tasked with not only putting together a winning team in the toughest conference in college football, but establishing a new culture at a Gators program that had their first seven loss season since 2017. Napier spoke yesterday about the keys to doing so, and how he’s been changing things in Gainesville. 

“You know it all matters, I think the key is that you provide structure and routine, that you define expectations for the players, and there are some detailed things that we ask them to do and they do matter. But the most important part of those little, detailed things we ask them to do is they have to make a decision to do it, if that makes sense. So it’s an opportunity to say yes to the expectations and the standards and for everyone to buy into the team concept,” Napier said.

Napier’s perspective on the game is refreshing, and has proven to work at the Group of Five level. At Napier’s previous gig at Louisiana-Lafayette, he was handed the keys to a 5-7 team struggling to compete week in and week out. But in his last two seasons, the Ragin’ Cajuns were one loss, conference champions in back to back seasons. 

Florida fans are hoping for a similar turnaround for the Gators, as Napier continues to establish his important values on his players to prep them not only for this upcoming season, but life after. 

“Gray area is the enemy, that’s would I would tell you, we want to have a very structured, routine process for our players. I think players develop confidence from that, I think routine and great preparation, that breeds confidence. When I know what to expect, I can execute my plan. I think we’ve got an organization of people that is providing information and wisdom in terms of how to improve. Any person that’s had success in life, discipline’s a direct part of that, and I think these things carry over to life after football too. I think that’s one of the great things about the game of football is these things apply in a lot of different settings. So it’ll be a big part of what we do and certainly a big part of our success,” Napier said.