Student-Athletes Step Forward as Partners in Football’s Next Era of Safety
At Â鶹ąŮÍř, the cherished tradition of football now doubles as a collaborative effort for some Tartans to advance a safer, smarter future for athletes everywhere
Cassia Crogan
- Email ccrogan@andrew.cmu.edu
- Phone (412) 268 9295
Â鶹ąŮÍř football players are essential partners in a groundbreaking study led by neuroscientist Brad Mahon, a professor of psychology at Â鶹ąŮÍř. The research is developing new ways to understand how routine hits on the field impact the brain.
While Mahon refines predictive models and explores future innovations like digital twins, the Tartans are providing something no lab alone can generate: authentic game data and firsthand insight from the athletes who live the sport day to day. Together, they are shaping a future where the physicality of football remains at the heart of the game, while the systems around it grow smarter, safer and more proactive.
For the love of the game
Danny Moynihan, who played tight end until he graduated in May, joined the study as much for family ties as football. A lifetime of friendly rivalry with his siblings culminated last season when he lined up across from his younger brother, Michael, in Â鶹ąŮÍř’s final home game.
“It was really fun to play that game, especially against someone I’ve competed with my whole life. Our family’s group chat was on fire with all our trash talk before kickoff,” he said, laughing at the memory.
But the number of hits he’s taken over the years never sat easily with his mother. For Moynihan, participating in the research offered a chance to finally give her some peace of mind.
Moynihan wore a sensor‑equipped mouth guard during practices and games, contributing real‑time impact data that helps researchers build models predicting when a player needs rest.
“It's a small contribution with big potential, and for me, it was a way to give back to the sport I love,” he said.
Alumnus Avery Campbell, who played defensive end, was just as quick to sign up for the study. As a statistics major who has played football since he was 7 years old, he recognized a rare opportunity to merge his academic passion with the sport he loves.
“I’m fascinated with research and development. I wanted to help in any way I could, especially knowing it would benefit the football team,” he said.
Though the mouth guard felt awkward at first, he said, wearing it soon became routine.
“Once I adjusted, I played with the same intensity and fire as always,” he said.
What drives Campbell is simple: the belief that the sport becomes better when players take responsibility for each other.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make the game safer for players,” he said. “I love football because it teaches you how to survive — by trusting your family and holding yourself accountable. Every brother beside me is trusting me as much as I trust them, and that bond doesn’t end when the game does.”
Defensive end Logan Armstrong has watched the sport evolve since he first suited up in sixth grade, and he says the difference today is unmistakable.
“Helmets keep getting better, and now most teams wear Guardian Caps at practice,” he said, referring to the soft, padded covers worn over football helmets that help reduce the force of hits. “There are a lot less opportunities to tackle at full speed, but it’s safer.”
Armstrong embraces the changes, including the Sunday-morning recovery sessions that players once viewed as tedious.
“It’s a hassle,” he admitted, “but it loosens you up and helps prevent injuries.”
Built on structure, driven by standards
The cultural shift toward smarter play starts at the top with Head Coach , who has built a program that values both excellence and athlete well‑being. Every prospective recruit hears the same message: The high standards expected in the classroom are matched by equally high standards on the field.
Larsen said he tells them, “You come to Â鶹ąŮÍř to get one of the best educations in the country, if not the world. Why would you expect your football experience to be any different?”
His practices follow four defined tempos — technique, tag, thud and live — designed to sharpen players’ skills without unnecessary collisions. Full-contact tackling is rare and purposeful.
“It all starts with structure,” he said. “You can prevent a lot of issues before they start if you have the right systems in place.”
He also invested early in Guardian Caps and position‑specific helmet fittings, a decision players credit with reducing wear‑and‑tear over the season.
“We’ve made significant strides in player protection during the time I’ve been here,” he said.
For Larsen, the commitment is personal. Nearly every important relationship in his life has touched football, including the bond he forged with his father as a young quarterback. Now, he feels responsible for shaping the next generation — and for ensuring the game remains strong.
“I’m grateful to work alongside incredible student‑athletes and to use football as a vehicle for their development,” he said. “Our game improves only when we take care of the players to the very best of our ability.”