Training Camp Day 3: Protecting the Orange

When the Orange took the field for day three of preseason camp, the team wore shoulder pads for the first time. The addition of shoulder pads also means protective headgear on top of the student-athlete's helmets in the hopes of protecting them from concussions.

The Orange began wearing the Guardian Caps in spring practice and donned them for the first time this preseason Monday.

"I just feel like it's better to be safe than sorry," said head coach Scott Shafer. "You don't hear that cracking of the helmets in practice, which I'd imagine has to be a good thing."

The Guardian Cap is a removable soft shell layer that covers the exterior of a student-athlete's helmet. It is designed to reduce the impact the head takes.

"We're in an era where you have to be careful and have to protect the player's head," said head equipment manager Kyle Fetterly. "This piece does a very good job of that and that's something we're conscious of."

Senior linebacker Dyshawn Davis echoed Shafer's sentiments, hoping that the padding will help keep the Orange on the field.

"Protection and safety are always first," Davis said. "We've had a lot of guys go down in the past with concussions, the pads are protecting us so if that can help us prevent injuries while playing this game then I'm all for it."

According to senior wide receiver Jarrod West, the protective padding has no effect on the student-athlete's abilities in practice, only limiting the feeling to the head when making contact.

"It definitely takes the shock off and it doesn't do anything [to you]," West said. "It doesn't get in my vision when I'm catching balls or anything like that."

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