Two studies released this week by the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that concussions in youth sports are on the rise, as emergency room visits for young athletes suffering concussions have increased significantly. It’s time that the old school “just suck it up and go back in there and play” mentality from coaches, athletic administrators, and fans needs to change. States and local school boards need to introduce strict rules to protect young athletes who suffer head injuries. You can’t leave it up to the individual player who doesn’t want to come out of the game and doesn’t want to let his or her teammates down. Players who suffer concussions are vulnerable to further injury and it should be required that they get medical clearance from a doctor before they are allowed to continue playing. It’s a serious issue. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 3.8 million sport-related concussions occur each year. A few years ago, a La Salle University football player died from a concussion related injury. Have you ever had a concussion related issue as a player, coach, parent, or fan? Please comment below.
