Tony Pollard running onto the fieldTony Pollard (Photo Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
Some fans tuning into Sunday football notice it right away. A few players step on the field with what looks like a strange band wrapped around their necks. It’s not something related to fashion.

It’s called the Q-Collar, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about pieces of gear in the NFL.

Football has always been brutal. Players sprint into each other at full speed every week. They wear helmets and pads, but those only do so much. Now, as safety tech evolves, the Q-Collar is carving out a spot in the game.

Think of it like when you first learned how helmets are measured in that behind-the-scenes look at NFL equipment. Fans wondered then. They’re wondering now.

So what does this thing do, and why are more players buying in?

How The Q-Collar Works And Who’s Wearing It

The Q-Collar Explained: Why NFL Players Are Wearing This Strange Neck DeviceQ-Collar (Photo Via X)

The Q-Collar comes from Q30, a company that spent a decade testing it. The FDA cleared it for athletes 13 and older. The idea sounds unusual but makes sense. The collar applies gentle pressure to the sides of the neck, which raises blood volume in the brain. That extra cushion helps keep the brain from bouncing inside the skull during hits.

Helmets protect the head from fractures. They don’t stop the brain from moving inside. Q30 says the Q-Collar reduces damage to brain neurons by more than 80 percent. The company ran 28 studies with athletes ranging from youth leagues to Olympians. Their data shows it could help reduce the risks of concussions and even long-term problems like dementia and CTE.


Plenty of NFL players now wear it. Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard said he tried it after his agent brought it up. “I’ve seen guys retire and not be able to move the same as before,” Pollard said. “I feel like wearing the Q-Collar will definitely help me.”

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson had a more personal reason. Former teammate Luke Kuechly encouraged him to try it. Thompson agreed, saying he wanted to protect himself and his family. “CTE is real and I’d do anything to help protect my brain,” he said.

Other names on the list include Bills safety Taylor Rapp, Texans tight end Dalton Schultz, Bears running back Khalil Herbert, and Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson. The device also shows up in soccer and lacrosse.

The NFL continues to wrestle with safety issues. Just months back, the league even banned some popular helmets after new testing. The Q-Collar may not replace helmets, but it’s another tool in the fight to protect players. And in a sport where careers can change with one hit, that little band around the neck might matter more than it looks.

REPORT: Shocking New Details Reveal Michael Jordan’s Hidden Power Move With NBC Sports

New details reveal Michael Jordan’s exact role with NBC Sports, offering fresh insight into his growing influence off the courtMichael Jordan (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)
NBC dropped a huge announcement when they roped in the services of Michael Jordan. With the league returning to the network next season, NBC is said to have some big plans with the Chicago Bulls legend. While it is clear that he will be a part of the overall coverage, the media outlet has remained tight-lipped about the same. Till now, it was only known that Jordan will be acting as a ‘special contributor’ for NBC. But now, there might be some shocking details emerging.

Speaking on the topic, Alex Sherman of ‘CNBC’ provided some insight into the matter. He pointed out that the preliminary plans for Jordan are to appear in taped segments. This way, Jordan will be providing analysis on the games. These tapes are expected to be aired either at halftime or at the end of each game.

Sherman also pointed out that NBC will also keep the opportunity for Jordan’s role to evolve in the future. Extending the topic further, ‘CNBC’ also reported that the deal with Jordan was orchestrated by none other than his longtime friend, Jon Miller. Meanwhile, after landing such a huge deal, it is quite expected that Michael Jordan will be elated.

Michael Jordan Gets Candid About His Feelings After The NBC Deals

Sep 1, 2024; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series Team 23XI owner Michael Jordan watches a video board as NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) races during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
After the announcements were made, Jordan looked quite happy to have landed himself a big role. Afterall, considering the legend he is, Jordan’s valuable insights will be a great addition to the league’s coverage. Shedding light on the matter, Jordan stated how he was utterly excited to be working with NBC.

“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said in a short clip. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”

Thus, with things looking quite upbeat for Jordan, it now remains to be seen how things pan out in the future.