Why isn’t Tua Tagovailoa wearing a Guardian Cap?

Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ quarterback, is set to return to the field on Sunday after a month-long absence due to a concussion.

Despite his history with concussions, Tagovailoa has chosen not to wear a Guardian Cap, a soft-shelled helmet cover designed to reduce the risk of severe brain injury.

When asked about his decision, Tagovailoa simply stated that it was a “personal choice.”

Tagovailoa has been officially diagnosed with concussions three times in his professional career, which increases his risk of sustaining another concussion.

Many on social media have criticized Tagovailoa’s decision, believing he is not taking necessary precautions to avoid injury.

However, Tagovailoa explained that he is trying to make smarter decisions to stay on the field and be available for his team.

He acknowledged that his competitive nature has sometimes led him to take unnecessary risks, but he is working to change that.

Tagovailoa’s decision to forgo the Guardian Cap has sparked debate about player safety and the effectiveness of the helmet cover.

The Guardian Cap was designed to absorb contact and reduce concussions by promoting impact reduction from violent collisions.

According to the company website, the headgear is based on scientific theories that state an outer “soft” material can reduce the initial severity of impact.

The Guardian Cap has been shown to reduce concussions by over 50% during the preseason, according to NFL executive VP Jeff Miller.

Additionally, if both players are wearing the gear in a collision, impact is said to be reduced by around 20%.

If only one player is wearing the gear, the impact reduction is halved to 10%.

Despite the data supporting the effectiveness of the Guardian Cap, Tagovailoa has chosen not to wear it.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel explained that the medical experts deemed Tagovailoa needed time to rest his brain after his latest concussion.

Tagovailoa has been cleared of concussion symptoms since September 13 and is eager to return to the field.

However, his decision to forego the Guardian Cap has raised concerns about his long-term health and safety.