Concussions

By Damian T

Everyone knows that one kid who is just crazy for football, whether they’re playing or watching their team on T.V. If you asked them about football, you would hear the side of it that so many people have fallen in love with: the excitement, fun, physical contact, losses and the victories. But what every mother in the stand sees are the injuries that come with the game.  Everyone can tell if you have a broken leg or arm, but how do you see if something is wrong with your head? Since 1994 the diagnosis rate for concussions has gone up almost 63%. They are noticing that more and more people are either getting concussions, or the medical staff is getting better at spotting it. The NFL had thoughts of not having a kickoff due to the injuries sustained in the game. Why is it that you hear about concussions so much more now compared to almost never in the past?  In the past, if you came off the field, and you could see the two fingers held in front of you then you were ok to continue playing. The horrible side effects don't appear until some time later, but if ignored a concussion can haunt you forever with headaches, confusion, and in some cases death. The solution seems so simple, just stop using your head right? I wish it was as simple as that. There is almost no sure fire way to prevent a concussion. So with all this in mind think, is it worth it to you? There's no wrong answer; some people are well aware of the consequences, while others have never heard of them. So just remember, next time your head hurts, ask your athletic trainer if everything is ok.