A system and associated method are disclosed for protecting a magnetoresistive (MR) head from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Included is a protective member having a conductive surface for being removably positioned on a MR connector cable such that the conductive surface remains in electrical communication with contacts of the MR connector cable. Thus, the contacts are shorted to protect a MR head coupled to the MR connector cable from damage caused by electrostatic discharge. Further included is a clamp releasably coupled to the protective member for maintaining the conductive surface of the protective member in electrical communication with the contacts of the MR connector cable to facilitate the shorting of the contacts, thus ensuring the protection of the MR head coupled to the MR connector cable from the damage caused by the electrostatic discharge.