Concussions have become a big problem today in football from Pee wee to NFL. One of the biggest concerns is the damage that is created from repeated blows to the head. “There is increasing concern about the possible long-term effects of multiple concussions, particularly on the developing adolescent brain (Brooks, Brian L., et al 3243-3251). The people that suffer from concussions are players of all ages. Some people think that younger players are at a greater risk when getting a concussion; for example, Gay Culverhouse states in her book that younger players receive more damage from concussions than older and more mature players. When a player gets a concussion their brain hits the interior part of the skull stated by Yengo-Kahn, Aaron M., et al. This becomes a problem because it leaves a bruise on the brain and that is what causes concussions (Yengo-Kahn, Aaron M., et al.). Brain L. Brooks reports the same evidence pertaining to long term effects of concussions. “There were no statistically significant differences between groups (based on the number of reported concussions) regarding cognitive functioning. Athletes with ≥3 prior concussions reported more symptoms than did athletes with 0 or 1 prior injury. In multivariate analyses, concussion history was independently related to symptom reporting but less so than developmental problems (eg, attention or learning problems) or other health problems (eg, past treatment for psychiatric problems, headaches, or migraines)” (Brooks, Brian L., et al 3243-3251). The issues that younger players are having when getting a concussion are short term affects such as headaches, confusion, or loss of consciousness for a short period of time according to the Mayo Clinic. According to Collins, Christy L., et al “Because of the ongoing neurocognitive development that occurs throughout adolescence, concussions can have severe acute and long-term complications in young athletes (1382-1390).”

 Long term effects of receiving a concussion would be having difficulty concentrating on tasks such as school, doing assignments, and being able to focus. This could also affect their future as a student, because if a person cannot function properly then they could need permanent assistance from someone in order to carry on with their life. This is important because we value the futures of our young football players of today, and want them to be able to carry on with their regular lives. A solution that could be done to fix the problem is finding new ways to help young football players make contact without using their head and this should lower the risks of getting concussions from playing football. 

There have been some preventions to try and limit concussions. “Players against the NFL,9 and the suicides of former players linked to head trauma have combined to increase the public’s awareness about the potential dangers of concussions in all levels of football.10 This public health issue has affected how parents, coaches, high schools, universities,11 and the government12 view player safety, concussion management, and concussion treatment in youth, high school, and college football.13 The NFL has led the way in increasing the safety of the game and mitigating the harmful effects of concussions (Hunsucker 803). Another preventative measure has been sought out. There have been rules put in to attempt to limit the amount of concussions that happen in football. This Comment argues that the NFL’s measures to address concussions have created industry customs in concussion management that all lower levels of football should adopt. Such an adoption would increase the long-term health of players and shield coaches and schools from tort liability. If adopted, these changes will ensure that coaches and schools meet the standard of care for concussion management in negligence actions, will have a positive long-term effect on players’ health, and will lower the risk of litigation brought by players against governing bodies, leagues, schools, and coaches (Hunsucker 804).

People think that the rules that are being put in to the sport is taking away from the physicality of football. Football can still withhold its physicality and also be able to limit the concussions that can possibly with it. This way, the players will be at a lower risk of getting a concussion in football and still enjoy the sport. People say that adding more rules is “watering” the game, but others would rather have a player be safe than having permanent damage to their brain sustained from football. 

At a high school, the training staff has concussion testing for their players if they think they might have a concussion. “The feasibility of SCT use in Guam high school football was established and our pilot study identified areas for improvement. Established definitions of concussion and RTP guidelines were lacking. Therefore, an opportunity exists through public health efforts that involve the entire community to increase concussion awareness and reduce injuries in high school sports on Guam (Duenas 449-453).” This is relevant because this is to help limit concussions by having as on field concussion test, to make sure that a player does not have a concussion. People think that there can be a better way to tackle that will keep both players head from taking any damage. “Among high school football players who sustained concussions due to player-to-player collisions, concussion outcomes were generally independent of impact location. Recommended strategies for reducing the proportion of top-of-the-head impacts include improved education regarding tackling with proper “head-up” technique(Kerr, Zachary Y., et al. . 489-496).” I think there should be more rules to keep football players safe from injuries such as concussions. This will help keep players from sustaining serious brain injuries and potentially risk the rest of their football career. I think everyone should care about this topic because there will come a day where a football player is no longer a football player and he is just a regular person. If that person took lingering brain injuries due to concussions it could affect the rest of that person’s life. A person could possibly have long term permanent effects, and because of this they would need personal help to be able to get around. 
