Summary: The Importance Of Concussions In Football

“I don’t feel like my life will ever be the same,” 18-year-old Bryce Monti reflects (Tyler 17). At an age when most Americans dream of the future, Monti and thousands of other young football players suffer severe health consequences due to injuries from football. Historically, American culture is steeped in the tradition of football. However, consequences from emerging health problems force Americans to reexamine its necessity. Due to the immense health risks and uncertainty of treatment, football is excessively dangerous. First, impacts from head-on collisions in football cause immediate and long-term consequences. One study reveals, “In 2014, more than 9500 concussions were reported among high school football players in the U.S.” (Tyler 16). Furthermore, “At least eight high school football players have died so far this year” (Tyler 16). Overall, the statistics remain terrifying, but one fails to contemplate the lasting consequences associated with football injuries. Those who suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition generated by head trauma, endure years of hardship (Tyler 15). Depression, aggression, difficulties with impulse-control, and dementia plague patients who consequently suffer especially high suicide rates (Tyler 15). Overall, …show more content…
Margarita Reyes, a concerned mother of a concussed athlete, adds “No one can really give you an answer on how long it takes to recuperate” (Dallas 4). For this reason, the uncertainty behind treating concussions remains alarming to parents, athletes, and coaches alike. While athletes participate in the sport, scientists conduct research about the short and long-term effects of head injuries. Without sufficient scientific studies, parents and athletes are unable to make informed decisions regarding football’s safety. This uncertainty magnifies the danger of the