Atlanta Falcons linebacker JD Bertrand gave back to the Roswell program that launched his football career, donating Guardian Caps to Blessed Trinity Catholic High School's football team.

Bertrand, a 2019 Blessed Trinity graduate, told CBS News Atlanta that his own injury experience led him to research the padded helmet covers and provide them for current Titan players. Guardian Caps are soft-shell pads that attach to the outside of a football helmet to reduce the force of head impacts. The NFL began mandating their use during practices for certain position groups in 2022 and allowed them in live games starting in 2024.

Bertrand knows the toll the game takes. The Falcons placed him on injured reserve Aug. 31 with an undisclosed injury, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season. He logged 35 tackles and two pass defenses across 15 games in 2025, playing defense and special teams.

Bertrand's Blessed Trinity career still shows up in the program's record books. He recorded 278 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks across four seasons from 2015 to 2018. Those sack and TFL totals remain school records.

As a senior, he tallied 83 tackles and earned AJC Region 7-4A Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also helped the Titans win back-to-back GHSA Class 4A state championships in 2017 and 2018.

After graduating, Bertrand played at the University of Notre Dame. He started all 13 games as a junior in 2021 and led the Irish defense with 101 tackles. He was named team captain for the 2022 season and finished that year with a team-leading 82 tackles. The Falcons selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 143rd overall pick.

Blessed Trinity's announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 2, said the school is grateful for Bertrand's generosity and the example he sets for the next generation of Titans. Head coach Ed Dudley, who joined the program in 2023, now has the added safety equipment as the Titans prepare for their 2026 season, which includes a matchup against Centennial.

Bertrand is eligible to return to the Falcons' active roster as early as Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 11.