Nearly 3,000 Massachusetts students suffered a concussion or other head injury while playing sports during the last school year, according to the results of a first-of-its-kind survey completed by 164 schools.
The reports from middle and high schools across Massachusetts, collected under a state law passed in 2010, highlight the extent of the problem at a time when medical experts and sports leagues, from Pop Warner to the NFL, are increasingly worried about the long-term effects of head injuries.
Comments
What a great article! Nice work, Globe! It's probably fair to say many injury numbers will never be turned in by liability exposure fearing schools, town, teachers, coaches, etc. In light of that, kudos to the people who DID supply numbers because it'll further expose the shocking numbers of kids and young adults who are being physiologically handicapped, perhaps for life, because of head injuries. Perhaps some sort of legal indemnity can be created so all schools and other organizations will be more forthcoming to report this urgent information.
The dangers of concussions cannot be understated and god speed to all the reseach and preventative measures in play to stunt its effects. But,isn't it curious that while hockey, soccer and other sports reported numerous concussion related injuries, the baseball first, anti football Globe with their nitwit Sports Editor, undisputed King of preposterous and sophomoric tweets, Joe Sullivan, leading the way, inserted only a football photo to accompany the article. Meanwhile a live Wednesday Patriots press conference on CSSNE probably has higher ratings than the World Series.
Football ranked first on reported concussions according the research done by the Globe, which are finding that parellel other research done nationally, hence a football photo. In the words of Abe Lincoln, "Sometimes it is best to be silent and look the fool than to speak up an eliminate all doubt."
Stick to the story instead of attacking the man.
Pretty soon we will see personal injury attorneys attending Pop Warner games passing out their business cards to parents. A whole new market ! Asbestos victims are getting scarce.
Football, and perhaps soccer, will eventually be banned as schools protect themselves and keep their
insurance rates low. The NFL will eventually be affected as its "farm system" dries up.
Maybe there could be competition in jumping rope or arm wrestling.