Bombers welcome introduction of new safety gear

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This article was published 17/05/2023 (860 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A sizable portion of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were wearing a new piece of equipment on Wednesday.

The club received its shipment of Guardian Caps, a piece of foam-padded headgear that goes on top of the helmet.

The CFL’s new health and safety measures require offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers and running backs to wear it in training camp during most drills.

“The Guardian Cap is a padded shell affixed to the outside of the helmet. Research has shown that when worn by one player, the Guardian Cap reduces the severity of impact by at least a 10 per cent, and by at least 20 per cent when worn by both players,” said the CFL in a press release.

The caps have already been introduced to the NFL and NCAA.

Defensive end Willie Jefferson said you can barely feel them and that he appreciates the league looking out for the safety of the players.

“To be totally honest, there’s no point to argue against it with the stats and the facts that they give you about putting it on your helmet. There’s no reason not to wear it,” said Jefferson.

“Just put it on and practice. It’s not going to hinder you or anything, so just go with it.”

Offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld shared a similar sentiment.

“It’s an insignificant thing. It doesn’t change what we do for the guys that have to wear them. To me, it’s a non-factor. I think if anyone’s complaining about them, they have bigger things to worry about.”

Bombers suspend Grant, cut 11, add a pair

The Bombers transferred return specialist Janarion Grant to the suspended list early Wednesday morning.

According to head coach Mike O’Shea, there’s no reason to be alarmed. The all-star isn’t in any trouble, it was simply a roster move.

“Just needed some time. Personal reasons,” said O’Shea.

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The club also released 11 players on Wednesday. Americans Julius Turner (defensive tackle), Billy Hall (quarterback), Jadrian Taylor (defensive lineman), Christian Dixon (linebacker), Payton Muljo (offensive lineman), Devin Anctil (punter), Deuce Wallace (defensive back), Gee Stanley (defensive back) were let go. Canadian offensive lineman Brandon Sanford and Canadian defensive back Charles-Antoine Beaulieu were also released, as well as Global receiver Timothy Knuettel.

American wide receiver Sean Coyne (University of New Hampshire) and American defensive tackle Keenan Agnew (Southern Illinois) were added to the roster.

CFL teams had to trim their rosters down to 75 players by late Tuesday night. That number doesn’t include non-counters, which are drafted rookies or any player attending camp as a territorial exemption.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.