Being a competitive football player myself, I never want to be pulled out of any game. I have played through arms that lost feeling, sprained ankles, broken fingers, and even stayed in after feeling the effects of a concussion. Yes most impact athletes know the importance and the blah blah blah about concussions, but after reading this article and watching this video, I myself will take the signs of concussions more seriously.
The Issue
The CNN article that I came across was about one 17 year old quarter back named Max Conradt who was playing through concussions. Focusing on his struggles, his recovery, and his over all life after he got out of the hospital showed the first hand seriousness that needs to be taken.
After one of Max's games, he was staggering off to his parents, complained about his head and chin hurting. Before his mother could respond, Max collasped. At the hospital the doctors told the Conradt's that he was going to die. Not many people are aware of this, but durring football games, some player have pasted away from bone crushing hits. From the NFL, down to High school and junior high, all these levels have had player die from concussion related injuries.
In 2008, a 14 year old player past away after complaining about headaches, but still practicing and playing in games. In the same year a 16 year old linebacker from New Jersey died after suffering two concusions in a few weeks. A better outcome came to Max, but at the cost of his mental abilities. He survived his brain injuries, but he has the mental capacity of a 9 year old. It is almost eight years from the day that he suffered his concussion, and now 25 years old, he has to be cared for in a assisted living facility.
What needs to be done? What is being done?
Coaches need to be aware of the signs of concussion. If there are any signs, the coach need to take the player out and not let him back in until cleared. Physical trainers will have to have certain test that they can conduct on player to see is they past the tests. In many state the legislation of "Zackery Lystedt Brian project" is being passed to pull out players after suffering a concusion, and have coaches go through rigorous trianning before being able to pursue jobs.
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I did not know that people have died from concusions. I think I just never thought about it, thinking it could never happen. I think this is one of the scariest things that could happen while playing a sport. Yes, a broken bone and other things could happen, but dying on the field from a concusion is crazy. This shows me how at any age, children and teenagers can get concusions. It amazes me what they can do to people, seeing what it has done to Max really opens my eyes to the situation.
ReplyDeleteThis blog really caught my eye because I've had a fellow friend experience bad concussions such as this a few times.
ReplyDeleteHe's been rushed to the hospital both times and having heard about it, and knowing about how concussions can cause death, his condition scares me.
He was in serious jeopardy of not getting to finish his senior year of basketball and now might not be able to play football at a college level next year.
As much as that would ultimately suck for him, I wouldn't want anything like what happened to Max to happen to my friend.
This kind of thing needs to be taken more seriously I think. People don't realize how scary it is. It can happen to anyone at any age.
I agree, concussions need to be taking seriously. I played football in high school. One of my team mates had two concussions before we played hankinson. He went to tackle the quarter back and he got up and walked to the huddle. On his way to the huddle I looked into his eyes and they rolled back into his head and he collasped. He went to the hospital and the doctors said he couldn't play anymore football for the rest of the season and next season. If he would have kept playing who knows what could of happen to him.
ReplyDeleteConcussions are a very scary thing I know I have played hockey with a concussion and I never thought about how serious the consequences could have been. We were in the final series of playoffs to go to Provincials for hockey and I got hit in the back of the head with a slap shot. My vision was blurry but I decided I was fine to come back and play in the third period and the rest of the series. If I had read this blog prior to the playoffs I never would have tried to play.
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