Athletes at your school could be putting themselves in danger. Since 1997, at least 50 high school football players in more than 20 states have been killed or have sustained serious head injuries, according to an article in the New York Times. In the article, players said they would not tell their coach if they had a concussion, because their coach would take them out of a game.
The Brain Injury Resource Center reported 300,000 people a year suffer concussions, not including repeat injuries, which are the most dangerous. However, Dr. Tony Strickland, director of the Sports Concussion Institute in Los Angeles, said in an
NPR story that the 300,000 statistic refers to those who had loss of consciousness due to a concussion. Strickland said loss of consciousness is not necessary for a concussion and states the total number of concussions per year is between 1.6-million to 3.8-million.
An excerpt from the New York Times:
The National Football League has recently faced questions about its handling of concussions after four former players were found to have significant brain damage as early as their mid-30s. But teenagers are more susceptible to immediate harm from such injuries because, studies show, their brain tissue is less developed than adults’ and more easily damaged. High school players also typically receive less capable medical care, or none at all.
Interviews with players indicate that even those aware of the dangers of concussions ignore them. Coaches, trainers and parents can detect a gimpy knee or a separated shoulder, and act. But a concussion is often the player’s secret.
