The NFL has made huge attempts to limit head trauma after a high-profile lawsuit, but Aussie sensation Jordan Mailata has blasted the so-called ‘Guardian Caps’ that are supposed to reduce concussions, branding them ‘fake news’.
The bizarre-looking headgear, which fits over the top of helmets, has to be used during the preseason by players in certain positions in an attempt to reduce head injuries.
Mailata suffered a concussion during training camp, however – and then blasted the ineffectiveness of the bizarre-looking shells.
‘The hat’s fake news. It doesn’t stop anything. I’m sorry, NFL. I really do mean that, though. It didn’t stop anything,’ Mailata told American football pundit Zach Berman.
Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata has slammed the NFL’s ‘guardian caps’ after he failed to protect him from getting knocked out recently
The ‘guardian caps’ fit over the top of a helmet, and are mandatory in preseason for some positions, like offensive linemen
The 203cm, 158kg offensive lineman missed three practices at the Philadelphia Eagles preseason training camp earlier this month as a result of a blow to the head, but has since made a full recovery.
After the unprecedented class action lawsuit filed by more than 4500 ex-NFL players over head trauma, which the league settled for an astonishing $765 million, the NFL has tightened up concussion protocols.
But as Mailata’s injury shows, it appears impossible to actually prevent concussion.
Football fans were almost all in agreement with Mailata’s comments, although one pointed out even a ‘small percentage reduction’ could make a difference long-term.
Fellow Aussie NFL star, Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Daniel Faalele, wears a ‘guardian cap’ during practice earlier this month
The league mandated that offensive linemen, running backs, tight ends, defensive linemen and linebackers all have to wear the Guardian Caps during preseason training camps.
Mailata’s fellow offensive lineman Jason Kelce took it a step further during practice, covering the cap in a layer of bubble wrap, much to the delight of amused onlookers and teammates.
Mailata’s Eagles teammate Jason Kelce covers his helmet and guardian cap in a layer of bubble wrap
Mailata, who played lower-grade football for the South Sydney Rabbitohs before being selected in the 2018 NFL draft despite not playing a snap of the gridiron, has made the crucial position of left tackle his own on a dominant Philadelphia Eagles offensive line.
So much so, the 25-year-old Aussie is now one of the top tackles in the league.
That point was not lost on one of the NFL’s top analytics experts, Cynthia Frelund, who named Mailata at number 10 in her most underrated players list recently.
Jordan Mailata is now an NFL sensation after growing up in Bankstown and playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs
The big man is tasked with protecting exciting dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurt’s blindside this season, and the Eagles have a huge chance of taking the NFC East title from an inconsistent Dallas Cowboys unit.
Mailata obviously takes defending his quarterback very seriously, with a scuffle at the Eagles recent preseason game evoking memories of his time as a rugby league player.
Hurts took a dangerous late hit from New York Jets defender Quincy Williams in the side’s 24-21 loss, and Mailata was not happy.
‘I can’t repeat what I said. All I know was just bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep,’ Mailata told reporters after the game.
‘I wanted to lean in with my helmet, and then a little warning sign came in, and I didn’t want to go back into (concussion) protocol, so I just went up to him. It’s a preseason game, and there is no room for a dirty play, especially against my QB.’
Fortunately, Hurts somehow sprang straight back up, but teammates, fans and commentators lashed out at the dirty play, calling it a ‘cheap shot’, ‘nasty’, ‘uncalled for’ and ‘garbage’.
Jordan Mailata was fired after a dirty shot at his teammate Jalen Hurts
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was even more incensed than Mailata.
He could be seen yelling ‘that’s fu**ing bulls**t’ at the Jets sideline. Surprisingly, coach Robert Saleh even left Williams out there for the next down.
Mailata and his Eagles will continue their preseason campaign against the Browns on August 22, ahead of their season opener against the Lions on September 11.
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