What is being done

The problem with concussions and hard hits in the NFL is still huge.  Even now with the NFL on the brink of a hold-out, the league could be working on fixing this problem.  Because there may be a hold-out, this could be a great time for the NFL to take more action on creating rules or providing more information and research on this issue.  I found a memorandum the other day while researching more on this issue that shows what the league could be doing to mediate this problem.  Heres the link to the article.  The memorandum is one that is addressed to the Principals and Athletic Directors of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA).  Its is a document that states that the schools involved in this area are implementing a new "concussion policy" that must be followed by all schools that started the 2010-2011 school year.  The main rule to the publication was this line "Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional."  This rule is not only going to be used in games but also in practices as well.  This document really looks into the well being and safety of the players affects by it.

This is something the NFL needs to do to try and make things more clear revolving around concussions that may take place during the game.  Here, the memorandum clearly outlines the rules being implemented and clearly outlines the most important rule that has to go into every sport rule book for these schools.  Something like this should be sent to every player, coach, and manager so that the controversy of a hard hit and the after effects of one can be more clear to players.  

High School Trauma

Concussions have been a problem occurring in contact sports for a while now. Not only are concussions happening in professional sports and even college sports, but they are also happening on a lower level; the high school level. There have been a number of incidents that have occurred in the recent months that has brought more attention this injury and the effects they have had to the person that undertook this injury. The person that calls out to most people is former football player Dave Duerson. He was a former player of the NFL that played for the Chicago Bears championship team in 1985 that committed suicide because of implications caused from the concussions he suffered while playing football. The death of Duerson has lead a school in Springfield, IL to adopt some new rules and legislation to deal with this crisis of concussions, dementia, and depression that have been linked to contact sports. The schools "Legislation approved unanimously Wednesday the House Education Committee would order school districts to require a doctor's written permission before a player who might have received a concussion could resume playing. The measure now goes to the full House." This move is one being made by this committee to help prevent this sort of thing from happening as a result of the concern going along with the long term health risks of concussions. "New research indicates concussions and repeated blows to the head may lead to depression, dementia and other mental health problems later in life. This damage can begin at a young age, many times through contact sports such as football or hockey." New rules are being implemented to prevent this sort of thing from happening. Like this school in Springfield, the NFL is trying to do similar things to try and mediate this problem. Not only is this school using new equipment and using these rules to protect players, but they are also "The Illinois bill also requires school districts to adopt concussion awareness and treatment policies and provide information to students and their families." This committee is going above and beyond in regards to looking out for the safety of their players and in their futures. They are thinking about what they can do to protect these young kids.