The History of Wrestling Headgear

The sport of wrestling is rapidly growing, with more than 159,000 athletes registered with USA Wrestling; logically, so is the importance of wrestling headgear in providing the athlete with adequate protection.

  1. History

    • As a wrestling coach, Oklahoma State alum Cliff Keen often heard that parents would not let their children wrestle because they didn't want them to develop cauliflower ear. These comments led him to found Cliff Keen Athletics in 1958, where he created the first wrestling head guard.

    Function

    • Commonly called headgear today, the guard is used to protect wrestlers from cauliflower ear, a condition in which the cartilage in the ear separates from the skin, filling with blood. Over time, the blood hardens, causing the cartilage to die and the outer ear to harden.

    Significance

    • Since its invention, head gear has protected and prevented cauliflower ear in millions of young wrestlers.

    Usage

    • Headgear is required at the college level and below. It is not often used at the international level, as headgear is not commonly worn outside the United States.

    Cost

    • Good headgear can be purchased for less than $30 at many sporting goods stores, or at tournaments. To ensure a proper fit, initially headgear should not be purchased online; however, subsequent sets may be, since the wrestler now knows his exact size..