Published: October 16, 2009 12:27 am      

Take seriously a head injury

Players, coaches and fans got a scare recently when a Marion football player suffered a head injury during a game against Logansport.

The incident served as a scary reminder that athletic competition can be dangerous.

A New York Times report last month found that in a recent 10-year period, head injuries caused the deaths of at least 50 football players at the high-school level or younger. The experts say young players are especially vulnerable because the brain tissue is less developed and more easily damaged.

Still, it’s important to remember that football can be dangerous at any age.

The National Football League Players Association announced this month that it had formed a committee to address the issue of head trauma among players, and the House Judiciary Committee has announced that it will hold hearings on the issue.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, every player should undergo preseason physical exams, and those with a history of brain or spinal injuries should be identified. Strengthening and preconditioning of head and neck muscles are important for all football players.

Players’ equipment should be properly fitted, especially the helmet, and coaches, physicians and trainers should ensure that the straps are always locked.

Staff should be trained in what to do in the case of a spinal cord injury. Being ready might help to prevent permanent disability.

Players should avoid helmet-to-helmet collisions, and ball carriers should be taught not to lower their heads when making contact with a tackler. Whether blocking, hitting, tackling or carrying the ball, all players should be discouraged from using the top of their football helmets as battering rams.

Injuries are an unavoidable part of the game, but the experts say most tragedies can be prevented with a bit of preparation and common sense.

The best way to avoid serious consequences is for players, parents and coaches to take these injuries seriously. When it comes to young brains, the old tough guy adage about playing hurt is not just a bad idea, it can be fatal.

That, in a nutshell, is the message that parents and coaches should be emphasizing with their players.

– Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, and Kokomo Tribune