Jalen Pitre has been wearing the Guardian Cap since suffering his first concussion with the Houston Texans.
Everyone knows what it looks like, mainly because every hit is so impactful that it’s hard to miss.
Now, he’s partnering with the brand for the 2026 season.
Pitre was named by an official partner with Guardian Sports, an Atlanta-based sports safety equipment company known for protecting players with the soft-shell cover over the helmet. According to the press release, Pitre will work as an advocate for “player protection and proactive safety measures in football while encouraging long-term health on and off the field.”
“Protection is the most important thing,” Pitre said in a statement released by the company. “Be proactive. Don’t wait until after you get a concussion. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to protect myself. This is about continuing to push the game forward. Think about your safety now because that’s what you’ll have when you leave the game.”
Last season, Pitre missed several games due to the concussion protocol. The 2022 second-round pick and All-Big 12 selection out of Baylor is known for his hard-hitting demeanor, but with it comes the risk of putting his head at risk for severe injuries.
Throughout practices, Texans players have been wearing the Guardian Caps as a precaution for drills. Some player, like Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, do not plan to wear the helmet during the regular season despite a history with concussions.
“I’m not going to wear it,” Collins said on Saturday. “I feel like for a wideout, you have to be able to track the ball. You have to be able to turn your head and see where the ball’s going. If you can’t find the ball in the air, then everybody’s going to talk badly about you. I feel like it’s good and all, but at the end of the day, you have to work on your neck strengthening.”
Per the release from Guardian Sports, Pitre plans to donate Guardian Caps to youth football players in the city.
“Jalen’s commitment to athlete safety reflects the values at the core of our mission,” Guardian Sports CEO and co-founder Erin Hanson said. “Young athletes look up to the players they see on Sundays, and Jalen is helping lead the next generation toward a safer future for football.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans DB Jalen Pitre makes history as first partner with Guardian Sports
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
