- Seven dead in overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine
- Tehran presses on, uneasy after Israeli strikes
- Masood says Pakistan need stability after famous England win
- Iran warns will defend itself after Israeli strikes
- N.Korea involvement in Ukraine raises regional security risks: analysts
- Santner heroics seal historic New Zealand Test series win in India
- Brignone wins ski World Cup opener as Shiffrin flops
- Thitikul surges into three-way lead at LPGA in Malaysia
- Israel hits Iran military sites in retaliatory strikes
- Santner heroics seal New Zealand's first Test series win in India
- Activists say 50 killed in Sudan paramilitary attack
- Stokes says Pakistan spin duo just too good after series defeat
- Zheng to face injury doubt Kenin in Tokyo final
- Final-hole eagle puts Echavarria in driving seat in Japan
- Commonwealth agrees 'time has come' for talks on legacy of slavery
- Late Love helps All Blacks thrash Jones's plucky Japan
- Bastianini wins Thai MotoGP sprint race ahead of Martin
- New Zealand near historic Test win as India wilt in chase
- Tehran residents fear escalation after Israeli attacks
- Iran says two dead in Israeli strikes on military targets
- Pakistan thrash England to win series after Noman, Sajid heroics
- Harris, Trump barnstorm battlegrounds seeking to break deadlock
- Pakistan on brink of series win as Noman, Sajid destroy England
- India 81-1 in fight to deny New Zealand historic series win
- Georgia votes in key test for democracy, EU ambitions
- New Zealand sniff historic win as India set 359 to win Test
- End of golden era for Chinese investors in Bordeaux wine
- Freeman fairytale slam powers Dodgers to World Series win
- Bagnaia claims pole for Thailand MotoGP, title rival Martin third
- Israel hits Iran missiles, bases in retaliatory strikes
- Freeman slam lifts Dodgers over Yankees in World Series thriller
- Philippine rescuers battle floodwaters to reach stranded
- Georgia votes in crucial test for democracy, EU ambitions
- Beyonce boosts Harris at abortion rights rally in Texas
- Bidzina Ivanishvili: the tycoon ruling Georgia behind the scenes
- Myanmar's war approaches Mandalay a year after rebel offensive
- Decline of rural Japan not our fault, women say
- Suarez and Alba give Miami winning start in MLS Cup playoffs
- Turkish Cypriots caught in citizenship limbo on divided island
- Final campaigning in tight Japan election
- Cali's love motels adapt to host UN summit delegates
- World champion Sakamoto takes Skate Canada lead over Liu
- Sainz tops times as Russell crashes in Mexico GP practice
- Three moments from King Charles Pacific tour
- Commonwealth announces Ghana foreign minister as new secretary general
- Gaza ministry accuses Israel of storming hospital, reports two children killed
- King Charles III departs Samoa, wrapping Pacific tour
- G7 finalize $50 bn Ukraine loan backed by Russian assets profits
- Ex-Abercrombie CEO pleads not guilty to sex crimes
- Unfulfilled talent? Two-time champion Alonso clocks up 400th F1 race
NFL will allow players to wear Guardian Cap helmets in games
An NFL rule change will allow players to wear Guardian Cap safety helmets in regular-season games starting next season, the padded headgear offering better protection from brain injuries.
The move was mentioned in a league webinar on NFL safety and medical issues two weeks ago but was not revealed in a major way until Friday.
The special helmets were required for players in certain positions for 2022 and 2023 training camps and have resulted in almost a 50% reduction in concussions for those players who wore them.
Dawn Aponte, the NFL's chief football administrative officer, said in the webinar that the helmets would be permitted in games.
"There is the option for a player to wear it in a game if he so chooses," she said. "There were a number of clubs that had already required all of their players to wear those."
NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills reacted to the news, saying, "So we might actually see a Guardian Cap on a player in a game this year. That's possible. Great. Big change coming up."
The league had previously not allowed players to use the Guardian Caps during games.
League information gathered over the past few years has found that 10% of the force for any hit to the helmet would be absorbed by the padded cap if used and if two players wearing the cap were involved in the hit, 20% of the impact would be absorbed in the padding.
The NFL and NFL Players Association earlier this month announced five new helmets were approved for the 2024 season after testing better for protection than any other helmet, providing a record 12 helmet models for the upcoming season -- including more position-specific helmets designed to mitigate impacts more likely by those playing specific positions.
A.Jones--AMWN