Bobby Belezos
PeeWee football at a young age to playing professional football, concussions has always been a problem. At a young age, most players were taught to tackle the most safest and effective way possible. Some high school players may have forgotten these lessons and are getting constant head injuries.
For only football players across the country, players in high school are twice a s more likely to obtain head injuries during their time playing. This can include practices, games and simple workout drills prior to the season. From PBS.org, they got a number of players affected by interviewing several big time high school around the state with an estimate that football players suffered 11.2 concussions for every 10,000 games and practices. While the college players rate stood at 6.3. Even though these rates are far more higher than college players, NFL players still face the same problem. Over the past 20 years professional football players either retired, suffered depression and even committed suicide from constant concussions during their career.
How do we define a concussion for high school players? Michael Tremblay, a doctor at
Compass Medical, defined a concussion as “a complex process that affects the brain and goes
through a severe trauma stage.” This can be from blows from the head or the body that make
the brain move in ways it shouldn't. Tremblay said, “The brain basically floats in the skull and
when a blow to the head or body occurs, the shock makes the brain more rapidly in the skull.
Making a concussion.” In his years of practicing medicine, Tremblay said at least three patients
come in with symptoms of concussions. He said it's most likely middle school or high school children. His thoughts were players should either learn how to tackle better or the program/school should invest in better equipment. He said football is a great thing for kids but their future in education is way more important.
At Holbrook High School, several coaches said they are trying to protect players at every practice or game. Head Coach Luke Riso said, “In my ten years of coaching, I always focus on tackling the first two weeks of the season. This could be how to cause a fumble to protecting your own body during the play.” Defensive Coordinator Francis Cass said, “Luke has been doing a great job in teaching our players to tackle. But head injuries are hard to avoid in big games.” It may be that during practices but in games the hits could be harder and most gruesome. Lastly, Special Teams coach Mike Hayes from Holbrook, had a strong input on concussions in football. “I played football, I coach football and I watch football, but concussions are unavoidable at times and are a huge problem today. As a special teams coach you think I won't see much because they are only out there for a play at a time. But special team plays are the most frequent time you'll see a concussion occur.”
A long time fan for Holbrook sports, William Buckley, said equipment is important. ”For at least ten years I’ve donated hundred bucks here or there to help the program. But if a kid gets a concussion from the lack of equipment then shame on the school for not providing it.” HE really focused on donations could not even work because the school probably won't spend it in the right way. Stopping concussions as a whole is a full team effort for either the school administration, coaches and fans.
For normal seasonal High School sports Football was the highest per 10,000 games and/or practices. They rated football with 11.2, baseball 1.1, wrestling 6.1 and soccer 6.3. For sports that seem could have more concussions in reality are not even close in numbers. What could we go to prevent these concussions in football and in sports as a whole? Could be from donating money or special equipment to the school and spending extra time to focus on playing football the safe way.
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