Effects of concussions in sports

Currently, all of the major American sports are dealing with athletes who have suffered head injuries that affect how they live their lives years after they have stopped playing. The most prominent sport when it comes to concussions is football.

More than 4,500 players have filed lawsuits against the National Football League. The NFL promptly agreed to a $765 million settlement that would fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation and medical research. Many former players are now dealing with psychiatric issues, and there also have been a few recent suicide deaths of former NFL players that were proven to have something to do with their traumatic brain injuries.

Now after suffering a concussion, athletes undergo a series of tests on the sideline before they are allowed to re-enter the game. This did not happen 10 years ago. More strict concussion laws are also being implanted in many sports, including basketball and baseball, that have grown to have an increasing amount of contact.

This is affecting teens around the country in various sports. High schools are required to show a concussion video at the onset of each season and undergo a concussion test before than can play.

Professional and collegiate football have added rules to punish players that hit the helmet of another player with their own helmet to try and prevent these kind of collisions from happening and severe injuries from occurring.

These are very important steps toward fixing the concussion issues in sports, especially in younger athletes and students who also have to focus on jobs and academics. If someone got a concussion in a sport, it could contribute to a student athlete not being as focused in class or able to comprehend things.

Matt Palmer is a Junior at Colony High School.