What Does Kewan Lacy Wear Around His Neck?
Quick Answer
- Ole Miss All-American running back Kewan Lacy wears the Q-Collar, a lightweight, C-shaped device worn at the base of the neck.
- It is the first and only FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts.
- Lacy signed a Q-Collar partnership in June 2026. His mother introduced him to the device after seeing other athletes wearing it.
- The Q-Collar works with a helmet as an additional layer of protection, not as a replacement for any equipment.
In This Piece
If you have watched Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy and wondered about the collar around his neck, it is a Q-Collar. The Q-Collar is the first and only FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. In June 2026, Lacy signed a partnership with Q-Collar and now wears it on the field.
Who Is Kewan Lacy?
Kewan Lacy is an All-American running back for the Ole Miss Rebels and one of the most productive backs in college football. A Dallas-area native, he rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2025 season, earning All-American honors and one of the highest NIL valuations of any running back in the country.
The Device Around His Neck: The Q-Collar
The collar at the base of Lacy's neck is not a neck brace or a spinal support device. It is a Q-Collar, a lightweight, C-shaped device that rests at the base of the neck, below the helmet and above the shoulder pads. The Q-Collar is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device, and it is built to work alongside a helmet, not in place of one.
Why Kewan Lacy Wears It, and Why His Mom Started It
Lacy's path to the Q-Collar started at home. His mother, Kendra McGrew, noticed other athletes wearing the device and brought it to her son's attention. It is a reminder that brain-protection decisions in sports often begin with a parent. Lacy joins a growing group of Q-Collar football athletes that includes Sauce Gardner, Tony Pollard, Byron Murphy Jr., and Dalton Kincaid.
How the Q-Collar Works
The Q-Collar applies light pressure to the sides of the neck, gently compressing the jugular veins. That slightly increases the volume of blood inside the skull, which helps reduce how much the brain moves inside the head during an impact. A helmet works on the outside. The Q-Collar works on the inside, closer to a seatbelt for the brain. The approach is supported by more than 25 peer-reviewed studies, and you can read the research on the Q-Collar science page.
Why Parents Are Paying Attention
Kewan Lacy's story resonates because it mirrors what many families are weighing right now. The Q-Collar he wears is the same device available to athletes playing contact and collision sports, and more parents are adding it to their player's gear as one layer in a broader safety system: a properly fitted helmet, a mouthguard, sound technique, and the Q-Collar working together. For the full picture, read our guide on what pro football players wear on their necks.
For families building a complete football safety setup, the Q-Collar product page covers pricing, sizing, and the full feature set, and the deeper football research is gathered on the Q-Collar in football page.
FOR ATHLETES
Q-Collar
The first and only FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts in sports.
$199.00
Buy NowFrequently Asked Questions
What does Kewan Lacy wear around his neck?
Kewan Lacy wears a Q-Collar, an FDA-cleared device designed to help protect the brain from the effects of repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. He signed a Q-Collar partnership in June 2026.
Does the Q-Collar prevent concussions?
No equipment can claim to prevent concussions, however the Q-Collar is clinically validated to better protect the brain from the effects of head impacts. It is designed to be worn as part of a layered approach alongside a properly fitted helmet.
How does the Q-Collar work?
The Q-Collar applies light pressure to the jugular veins, which slightly increases the volume of blood inside the skull. That added volume helps reduce how much the brain moves inside the head during an impact.
Can other athletes wear the same Q-Collar as Kewan Lacy?
Yes. The Q-Collar is available to athletes playing contact and collision sports, from youth and high school levels through college and the pros. It is the same device the pros wear.
How much does the Q-Collar cost?
The standard Q-Collar is $199. You can find pricing and sizing on the Q-Collar product page.
