NFL player Sauce Gardner has partnered with a company that is improving player safety.
According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, New York Jets cornerback Gardner is teaming up with Q30 Innovations, a company within the medical equipment manufacturing industry that has released Q-Collar, “the first and only FDA-cleared device to reduce traumatic brain injury.” This followed more than a decade of work, which included 25 pre-clinical and clinical studies with design and production occurring alongside neuroscientists, physicians, independent researchers, and engineers before it was cleared by the FDA in 2021, its website mentions.
The device creates light pressure to the neck to increase the blood volume inside the head, which helps reduce the brain’s movement if it receives a direct blow. That movement is often the main cause of brain injury, per the company’s website. Gardner purchased the device because he was in search of preventative measures that would be useful on the football field.
“We all know football is a physical sport with action and contact on every play,” Gardner said in the press release. “I’m always looking for ways to stay safe, comfortable and confident while I play, and the Q-Collar checked every box. It’s lightweight, durable and I love the way it looks. But more importantly, it gives me peace of mind knowing I’m taking the extra step to better protect my brain while still playing at the highest level.”
Gardner had been wearing the Q-Collar throughout the 2024 NFL season. Now, he serves as an official partner.
“Sauce has been incredibly hands-on since day one — not only in wearing the Q-Collar but truly understanding how it works and why it matters,” said Tom Hoey, CEO and co-founder of Q30 Innovations, in the press release. “He’s passionate about sharing his experience and educating others, which makes him the ideal partner. Sauce isn’t just a world-class athlete; he’s a thoughtful advocate for player safety and brain health.”
