Guardian Sports' protection efforts in growing flag football safety

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Guardian Sports Chief Operating Officer Jake Hanson.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Hanson discussed Guardian Sports' ongoing innovations to improve player safety. He also detailed the company's efforts to ensure the same protection standards in flag football as it grows globally.

"Flag football is growing exponentially right now, the rate at which more and more athletes are getting out there and getting the chance to play. Honestly, they're all football players," said Hanson, "I've gone to a couple of dozen clinics now and showcases and tournaments, these guys and these girls are flying around out there. And just because flag football is a no-contact sport doesn't mean there's no contact, so that's what kind of got us into this space is we wanted to provide a solution for those accidental blows."

The first-generation flag football headband LOOP was created in 2019 to reduce the impact of incidental hits, featuring soft-shell technology for top-of-the-line comfort. Versaknit sweat-wicking exterior material that helps regulate temperature, stretches for comfort, and flexes.

The Kansas City Chiefs are continuing their efforts to sanction girls' high school flag football in Kansas. In the 'Let Her Play' video campaign, many famous fans and current players, including head coach Andy Reid, call for supporters to support a local petition. Efforts continue to grow the sport all around, especially in on-field safety.

"Two players are jumping up for a jump ball. Someone catches an elbow to the eyelid. You're jumping up, and you come down on the back of your head. That's what moved us to create our LOOP product, and now it's the number one-rated headband on Virginia Tech's rating system," said Hanson. "It's also five-star." It's also the lowest cost, and we've just seen that product take off, kind of right in line with the growth of flag football. It's especially helpful because it is just a headband, so that way, female athletes with longer hair can still play with personality, and it really doesn't get in the way of their overall goal."