Concussions are one of the most pressing issues in American football today. They pose unique risks to high school athletes. The high risks are unlike any other injury and pose serious threats to the recipient. Unlike professionals with access to advanced medical teams, many young athletes rely on coaches, parents, and limited school resources to respond to head injuries.
According to the CDC, seven out of ten emergency department visits for sports and concussions are among children ages 17 and under. High school athletes are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to football-related concussions. Experts emphasize that the developing brains of teenagers may take longer to recover, further stressing the importance of early detection.
Where most experts and ordinary people often struggle lies in recognition. Being able to identify a concussion is not easy. Concussion symptoms – dizziness, headaches, or confusion – may be subtle or mistaken for fatigue. Many players feel pressured to stay in the game. West Morris coach Barry Buchanan said, “I do think that there’s an immense amount of pressure still on players…players will, in some cases, rush to come back just because it’s their livelihood”.
High schools across the country have taken steps to reduce risk. “If you literally kind of choreograph it every day, you find that kids will develop better habits,” Buchanan said. This refers to the practice performed by the athletes at West Morris Central. Tackling with a player’s head up or teaching the principle of safe tackling while playing effectively is vital to player safety. However, prevention can only go so far. Education for staff, coaches, and players remains the strongest tool for ensuring this injury is identified and treated accordingly.
The long-term consequences of repeated head trauma can be detrimental to a player’s health. Student-athlete Tommy Borgia says, “A lot of players from back in the day have things like CTE, and a lot of those kinds of issues are going on. So any way to prevent stuff like that from happening is always a good idea.” It is refreshing to see the awareness being spread to players about mental health conditions such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Borgia further stresses the importance of modern technology, saying there is “A lot of research development. That’s one of the reasons why we’re cracking down on it so hard, because we see the statistics and we see the actual facts that are coming out, and why we need to help them.” Facts that were not apparent previously are a huge reason why medical experts want to further prevent this injury.
As football season continues, the message is clear. Looking out for concussions in high school football isn’t just about protecting a player’s ability to compete; it is about protecting their health for years to come.
