Polly Shulman’s article “Blowing the Whistle on Concussions” focuses on care to be taken by athletes in case of a concussion. Shulman introduces his topic by telling the story of hockey player Eric Lindro who obtained a concussion in a game that he did not recover well from. Finishing the season with four concussions, six total in the past two years, Lindro was forced to retire prematurely. Shulman then goes on to state that thousands of high school athletes have had the same problems as Lindro. Symptoms to concussions could be very subtle and hard to diagnose, because of this many athletes are obtaining more severe concussions with bad consequences.…
Football Concussions Helmets were not always standard gear until after World War II, some pioneering players wore primitive head covering as far back as the early 1900s. The earliest versions were made of soft leather and were designed to cover the ears. The flaps on the original head harnesses covered the ear completely. They were ridiculed for hindering communication on the playing field. The first helmets offering full protection of the skull and featuring holes in the earflaps were introduced between 1915 and 1917.…
Throughout the 2015 NFL season, fans were frequently advised that a player was entering the “concussion protocol” and would need to be “cleared” before returning to play. Based on the observations of the sideline staff and a spotter located in the press box above the field, players will be evaluated on the sideline and removed from play if a concussion was suspected. If confirmed, players then enter the concussion protocol. It’s been estimated that close to 200 concussions were suffered by NFL players this past season, and in some of those cases the NFL concussion protocol missed its mark. One of those cases involved the failure of sideline staff to remove Rams quarterback Case Keenum from the game after his head was slammed to the ground…
In the article written by Sam McDowell, After a concussion, its’ unclear when –or if –high school athletes should return to action, McDowell talks about the “next step- the aftermath of the initial diagnosis- that still lacks a precise medical standard.” He includes interviews with recent victims and their families, medical studies, and a possible way forward. McDowell cites recent issues with concussions and informs of recent medical opinions’ and the direction in which to address this problem, even with the lack of medical studies available.…
However, these players receive their first concussion during games, and then what? What do these players need to know about concussions? What is the National Football League doing to help protect these individuals from future concussions? While narrative hook number one draws the interest of the reader by using an impactful statistic, narrative hook number two draws the interest of the reader by placing said reader in the shoes of a professional football player after they have received their first concussion. The reader should then begin to imagine what is the next step in the process is, what the National Football League is doing to keep the players and their families informed on what is going to happen to the athlete, and what the National Football League is doing to protect that individual from future concussions.…
Concussions and Football Helmets Football is one of America’s most watched and played sports. On any day of the week, families across the nation watch as high school, college, and professional athletes compete against one another. Unfortunately, it is very rare to watch a game not be stopped for some kind of injury. One of the most common and dangerous injuries is a concussion. Most people do not think twice about a concussion and think it’s not a serious injury, but it is.…
Most importantly the NFL should provide players with better information about concussions. Journalist Jonathan Starkey writes in the Washington Post. " Players should not put such trust in their helmets that they use their heads as battering rams, for example. And if they feel abnormal after a big hit, they should resist the urge to shake it off and keep…
The topic of head injuries is one of the most controversial topics in the sports field. The repercussions that occur because of concussions lead some people to believe that a player that acquires a concussion should have to sit out until the injury fully heals. This argument is fully supported by scientific and physical evidence that has been obtained from real life players with concussions. Going back directly into play after getting a concussion is exceedingly dangerous seeing as an injury becomes more severe after obtaining a second injury, second injuries increase the chance of permanent damage significantly, and memory loss is more prominent if the player has a history of concussions.…
The safety and value of an athlete’s life is being put in jeopardy because of viewers wants and owners wants. Another major problem is people just don’t really understand the repercussions of getting a concussion. Sure, people here it all the time that it’s not good to get a concussion. However, they do not understand the long term implications and life altering effects it can really have on one’s life. These are some of the many points John Affleck points out in his article: “If football is deadly, why do we still watch?”.…
Concussions to some may seem like a minor threat easily nullified by the steady words of a coach, however, such artificial accusations can leave players with a long lasting, never ending toll on their body and their mind. It would seem to most that the treatment of concussions would be common place in today's time, but all to any times the player leaves the hospital just to come back the next day. This repetition of injuries leaves only long lasting scars, rather not physical, but mentally as brain damage. However, like most medical preoccupations, a simple cure can be given to the patient of a concussion victim, and in its simplest form the cure would be time. Not only it is proven that extended periods of time can fully heal the effects of a concussion, but also there is the fact that this time allows for the reduction of subsequent concussions.…
D.J. Fluker, offensive lineman, of the San Diego Chargers, experienced a concussion on November 22 during their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Fluker will count this down as his fourth known concussion of his career. He had symptoms following their game that included a headache (Gehlken, 2015). All of this was after he experienced a concussion four days before during a practice. There is no set concussion protocol with the NFL rules on how many days a player must be nonactive.…
With the importance of strengthening the neck, another way to reduce the risk of head injuries is a mandatory concussion education program. When making concussion education mandatory, we must target the coaches, players and their parents. As a result, a higher chance to identify concussions when it occurs. In every football games there is only one trainer who is certified enough to recognize the symptoms of a concussion.…
Concussions are a major public health issue, and particularly so in the setting of sports. Millions of athletes of all ages may face the risks of concussion and repeat concussion. A concussion is a clinical syndrome of symptoms and signs occurring after biomechanical force is imparted to the brain. This kind of injury is something you would want to prevent from happening so always do what is suppose to be done. Thesis Statement: Concussions in sports have had a profound effect on athletes, which is why concussions assessment should continue to prevent player safety and should reduce less head-on contact.…
Every Sunday, millions of people around the US sit down with their friends and family and watch their modern day gladiator fight known as football. For years people have enjoyed the carnage that the NFL has to offer. Viewers watch as two teams go at it on the field, and every now and then a player is carted off because of an injury. No one seems to take into consideration the seriousness of these injuries. Some of these injuries could take them out a week, a month, or even a year.…
But in today 's world of professional football, teams are looking at everything from new-fangled helmets and neck contraptions to injury-risk monitoring systems, shock-absorbing turf, and mandated spa days to aid in safety prevention. The NFL has taken notice of the seriousness of concussions and that repetitive concussions and hits can lead to a host of ailments and diseases. The NFL has implemented valiant efforts to improve the safety of players by educating athletes at every level of the sport, endorsing and imposing rules that protect and make the game safer, being an advocate for health measures, and remaining current through innovations and technologies. Not only does the NFL improve the health of football players, but this initiative helps all players in all contact sports. Concussions occur time after time throughout different sporting events and at no time will this injury be completely eradicated.…