Football is undoubtedly a high-contact sport that can result in serious injuries for players. From concussions to torn ligaments, NFL players put their bodies on the line every time they step on the field.
In fact, as per the latest statistics from Sharp Football Analysis, the 2022-’23 season has already seen 85 players diagnosed with a concussion. With such alarming numbers, it’s no surprise that the NFL is taking measures to limit the damage and keep players safe.
As the NFL makes strides to prioritize player safety, many avid fans have taken notice of a peculiar accessory sported by some players – a collar worn around their necks.
The question on everyone’s mind is: what exactly is this accessory and what purpose does it serve for the players wearing it?
So, What do NFL players wear around their necks?
Have you been tuning in to NFL games lately and noticed a curious fashion trend among some players? If you’ve spotted players donning horseshoe-shaped collars around their necks, you’re not alone.
These collars aren’t exactly new – former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was wearing them back in 2016 – but they seem to be gaining popularity among a wider range of players with each passing week. So, what exactly are they?
It’s no secret that head injuries pose a significant risk for NFL players, which is why the league has taken steps to address the issue. One such measure is the updated concussion protocol, which prohibits players from returning to the game if they display any signs of impaired balance or coordination.
Additionally, the NFL has introduced innovative new gear designed to safeguard players’ brains, including the Q-collar. But what exactly is this new piece of equipment, and how does it work?
What is Q-collar and How Does it Work?
Well, the Q-collar is a cutting-edge device designed to provide protection to athletes’ brains during head impacts.
In 2021, the FDA authorized the marketing of Q30 Innovations’ Q-Collars, citing their ability to potentially decrease the occurrence of brain injury. When a person experiences a blunt trauma accident, such as a hit to the head or body, their brain can move unrestrained in the skull, leading to a traumatic brain injury.
This is where the Q-collar comes in – by compressing against the jugular veins in the neck, it increases the blood volume in the brain’s blood vessels and creates a tighter fit of the brain inside the skull. This can reduce the “slosh” movement and minimize the risk of brain injury.
It’s not just athletes who are utilizing this innovative technology – last year, Q30 Innovations was awarded a $2.8 million contract by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command to study the effectiveness of the Q-Collar in reducing blast-induced TBIs among soldiers.
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Does the Q-Collar really work?
Despite the FDA’s expressed concerns in October 2022, the Q-collar continues to gain popularity among athletes in various sports. According to The New York Times, the FDA had uncertainties about part of the study that led to the collar’s approval, citing the link between changes in study participants’ brain tissue and real brain injuries as yet to be “validated.”
Experts interviewed by the outlet also pointed out that studies supporting the effectiveness of the collar are lacking and that the data in the study was difficult to interpret.
However, Q30 Innovations, the company behind the Q-collar, lists multiple athletes as its ambassadors, including Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Scott of the Philadelphia Eagles, and retired Pro Bowler Vernon Davis.
Even though additional research is needed to determine the full benefits of the Q-collar, its use among athletes shows no sign of slowing down.
Q-collar receives positive feedback from NFL players
Several NFL players have spoken out about the benefits of wearing the Q-collar on the field.
For example, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard stated that the device gives him an edge on the field and makes him feel safer. He mentioned that he feels like he has an additional layer of protection that most players do not have, which helps him mentally while playing.
Similarly, in September 2022, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill announced his partnership with Q-Collar on Twitter, stating that the device gives him confidence and helps him protect his brain.
I am excited to officially partner with @qcollarofficial to help protect my brain. They are the only FDA cleared device to show a decreased risk for brain injury. Q-Collar gives me the confidence that I’m doing everything within my control to stay healthy for my family & team🧠🔥 pic.twitter.com/OGA0Pz4rRW
— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) September 15, 2022
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