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The all-time leading scorer in U.S. Men’s National Team history, a former Tewaaraton Award winner and 12-year pro now with the California Redwoods, Rob Pannell started wearing the Q-Collar in 2023 to help protect his brain. These are his words.
As a lacrosse player who's been part of the game for 24 years, I know firsthand what it's like to feel the physical impacts of this sport. I've taken numerous hits and endured numerous injuries, including those to my head.
Consider this: Each time an attackman like me dodges his defender, there’s a risk of heads colliding or a shoulder striking the head. It's not just the one-off big hits that matter. Repeated impacts that seem insignificant are equally relevant, as they add up over time. And the hits aren’t getting any lighter or less frequent in the sport.
As players, we get told to leave it all out on the field. However, concern for our wellbeing should extend to our daily lives as well. As someone with dreams of starting a family, I've realized how important it is for me to prioritize my health and future. That realization has brought into focus the importance of protective gear like the Q-Collar and motivated me to make it a part of my equipment the rest of my career.
The Q-Collar applies light pressure on the neck and reduces movement of the brain during impact. Backed by more than a decade of research, the FDA-cleared device is worn by professionals in football, soccer, lacrosse and other high-impact sports. Wearing it has given me an added layer of confidence, knowing that I have an extra level of protection that keeps my brain safer throughout the physically demanding grind of each game and season. For me, the Q-Collar also provides clarity and focus, which I believe is essential for good decision making over the course of a two-hour game.
Some athletes may hesitate to wear the Q-Collar because of concerns about how it might feel or because they don’t understand its benefits. But having worn it myself, I can assure you it takes very little time to get used to. It hasn’t impacted my game at all. On the contrary, not wearing it feels like something important is missing.
I wish I had the Q-Collar for all the 20-plus years I’ve been playing. Now that I’ve started using it, I intend to continue doing so for as long as I'm in the game. I genuinely believe that the Q-Collar is an essential part of an athlete's gear.
It's more than a piece of equipment. It’s an investment in your brain’s health.
Learn more about the benefits of Q-Collar at Q30.com/Lacrosse.
Rob Pannel is the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men’s national team history, a former Tewaaraton Award winner with Cornell and a longtime pro.
