Blake Martinez knows modern NFL players like to express themselves with their uniforms or accessories, but he’s putting safety first by wearing the new Guardian Caps that many others are sporting over their helmets during training camp.
“Overall, you don’t really notice it until someone makes fun of you,” Martinez laughed. “Everyone wants to be swagged out nowadays. When you have this big airbag on the top of your helmet, you’re a little noticeable.”
For the Giants linebacker, cutting down concussions at all cost is what is most important, so he’ll sacrifice looks if it means potentially prolonging his career. Many other players have also elected to go with the extra head padding, but it’s not a choice for all players. the league has mandated the use of the helmet padding from the start of contact practices in training camp and up until the second preseason game for positions like tight end, linebacker, and linemen.
Martinez falls under that category, but sounds like he would elect to use it regardless if it was a choice or not.
“It’s one of those things that is scientifically proven and it helps reduce concussions by 20 percent if two people are wearing it and hit each other,” Martinez said.
“Anything that can protect your brain, especially for me. I want to prolong this thing as a long as possible, so I'm down.”
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