Concussion legislation a good start for high school football (Bean)
Mississippi could learn something from Alabama when it comes to how to deal with athletic concussions.
The Alabama Legislature passed a new state law this year — and Gov. Robert Bentley signed it into law last month — that requires every sports organization from peewee soccer to high school football to train coaches on how to identify concussions. Parents must also sign information sheets about concussions and head injuries.
The new guidelines are intended to reduce concussions and better equip coaches to respond to them.
Alabama’a state law essentially mirrors a rule instituted by the Alabama High School Athletic Association last year — becoming one of the first state associations to do so — that stipulates that any player suspected of suffering a concussion, regardless of the sport, cannot return to action until cleared by a doctor.
Alabama became the 21st state to pass a concussion law. AHSAA officials supported the law and lobbied for its passage.
Mississippi should follow suit, even though no such legislation has been proposed, according to the NFL.
“Everybody is very concerned a bout the safety of our student-athletes,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said in Wednesday phone interview. “As we become more educated related to conditions such as concussions, coaches, athletic trainers and administrators are committed to doing everything possible to promote the safety of our athletes.
“Winning is important, but the safety of our student-athletes is foremost.”
The AHSAA definitely got it right.
The federal Center of Disease Control and Prevention’s website advises that concussions are ordinarily caused by a “a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.” Football, anyone?
In the 2010-11 school year, at least 156 AHSAA football players suffered a concussion, according to a survey by the governing body. But 199 schools — roughly half of the AHSAA’s football programs — didn’t respond, so the actual number is probably at least double.
The players are better off for their coaches taking a cautious approach.
Contact Josh Bean at: jbean@press-register.com
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