SAN ANTONIO -- New concussion rules are having an impact on football fields all over Texas. The guidelines say student athletes suffering a concussion will sit out the day and see a doctor.
Monday, August 8, 2011, was the first day of practice for the Clark High School varsity team. The Cougars’ coaches and trainers always have an eye out for one of the riskiest injuries on the field: concussion.
The shaking of the brain from a direct hit to the head can damage or tear connections between brain cells and swell the brain.
In the past, if a player had his bell rung, but was symptom free for 15 minutes, he might have been allowed back in the game. Under new state rules, not anymore.
“Now it’s if the coach, the athletic trainer, the doctor or the parent believes he has a concussion, he is done for that game,” explained Clark athletic trainer Paul Rost.
The stricter protocol also requires athletes with a concussion to be evaluated by a medical professional.
Proponents say this standard is especially important for smaller schools that may not have trainers who know how to evaluate this tricky injury.
Some people worry kids eager to play may hide symptoms.
“That’s the biggest fear,” Rost said. “And I mentioned this right away that a kid knows that if he shows signs of a concussion, he’s done. And you know how kids are. They want to play.”
Each year, more than 40,000 high school football players around the country suffer a concussion. That’s not counting students injured in soccer, basketball, cheerleading and other activities.
