Should Concussions Be Allowed In High Schools?
analytical Essay
532 words
Mack Woodfox, a high school varsity football player, was once “hit helmet-to-helmet from the side of his face, stumbled over, and had his ears ringing and eyes blacking out a little bit,” (Calkins). This player-to-player contact resulted in a concussion, which caused Woodfox to miss weeks of school and practice. Much debate has arisen on whether high schools should eliminate football due to the heavy publicity covering injuries and deaths related to the dangerous sport. In regards to these reports, the school board should not continue to allow football in local high schools because of the prevalence of concussions, concerns with financial costs, and a hindrance to academic success. High schools should discontinue football programs because of the abundant amount of concussions in young athletes. According to a study conducted by the Institute of Medicine, high school football players suffer 11.2 concussions for every 10,000 games and practices while the rate for college players stands at 6.3 (Breslow). The nearly doubled rate of high school players shows evidence that high school football players face a bigger concussion risk, which can affect their developing brains and cause long-term symptoms. Additionally, Retired NFL stars who also sustained numerous concussions have battled with …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mack woodfox, a high school varsity football player, was hit helmet-to-helmet from the side of his face and had his ears ringing and eyes blacking out. much debate has arisen on whether high schools should eliminate football due to the heavy publicity.
- Argues that high schools should discontinue football programs because of the abundant amount of concussions in young athletes.
- Explains why high schools should ban football because of the financial costs that concern parents as well as taxpayers. financial mismanagement has caused schools to be on the brink of shutting down, mostly due to maintaining sports such as football.
- Argues that football programs should be eliminated from high schools because they constitute as an obstruction to academic success.
- Argues that the school board should cease football programs in local high schools to prevent excessive concussion incidents in young athletes, relieve financial distress, and allow students to academically thrive.
For example, football at Premont High School costs $1,300 a player while math in contrast costs $618 a student (Ripley). Parents have panicked from such high fees, pressured and afraid that they are not able to afford it. Furthermore, financial mismanagement has caused schools to be on the brink of shutting down, mostly due to maintaining sports such as football instead of distributing the budget to teachers. These actions angered many taxpayers who believe their money should be spent on academia rather than a sport where brain injuries often
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- Persuasive Essay On Concussionsopinionated essayAs it states in a document posted by The Inquirer written in the words of Gary A. Emmett a professor of Pediatrics and a personal victim of these long term damages “I broke my hand in ninth grade and did not tell anyone for the whole season, so I could continue to play. I got my “my bell rung” (probably mild concussions) at least five times. As long as I could tell two fingers from three fingers, I was put right back into the game.” (Gary). The danger of these sports are real and most of the injures come from high school like his broken hand. even when the sports are not even as intense and fast pace like in college or above. This shows how intense just high school football can be when kids haven’t even experienced life yet. he also states ”I have mild chronic pain and a missing knuckle on my right hand probably from ignoring that broken hand in high school. I developed traumatic arthritis of my cervical spine and needed neck surgery in my late 30s probably because of repetitive trauma from those two sports. My leg joints are very stiff mainly because I’m 67, but probably also from thousands of collisions in my youth.”(Gary) Now many kids would do anything just to play just like he did and that can be costing in the long run just because some kids don’t know the potential cost of a small concussion or broken
In this essay, the author
- Opines that high contact sports should be banned for people under the age of 21 because of the higher injurie rate for high school football players than there are for older college players.
- Explains that high-contact sports didn't take into account the risks. football players died from fatal injuries from impact after impact even with the high tec concussion resistant gear.
- Explains that there is a higher injurie rate for high school football players than there are for older college players. if contact sports could be made noncontact, there would be 49,600 fewer injuries among male college athletes.
- Explains that contact sports injuries can be damaging in the long run. gary emmett broke his hand in ninth grade and didn't tell anyone for the entire season.
- Explains that concussions from high-contact sports can alter your brain functions and make people more vulnerable to making bad decisions.
- Quotes gary a. emmett's personal account that varsity sports are a common way of getting kids in bad neighborhoods off the streets and into college.
- Concludes that high schoolers are more vulnerable to injure than college players because their brains aren't fully developed. high-contact sports should be banned for kids under the age of 21.
957 wordsRead More - Should Children Play Tackle Football?explanatory essaySince football’s inception, it has been considered a manly sport. Young boys have been encouraged by their parents to participate in the game. For many boys, it is considered a rite of passage. However, football is a dangerous sport. A study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy found, “an estimated 5.25 million football-related injuries among children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments between 1990 and 2007. The annual number of football-related injuries increased 27 percent during the 18-year study period, jumping from 274,094 in 1990 to 346,772 in 2007” (Nation 201). These reported injuries include sprains and strains, broken bones, cracked ribs, torn ligaments, and concussions. A concussion usually happens when a player takes a hard hit to the head or is knocked unconscious on the playing field, and if not diagnosed and treated quickly, a concussion can result in death.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that football is america's favorite sport. it is fast-paced and hard-hitting. the long-term effects of concussions on players are not fully understood.
- Explains that football has been considered a manly sport since its inception. however, it's dangerous, and the number of football-related injuries increased 27 percent during the 18-year study period.
- Explains that concussions occur regularly on the football field and have always been an injury associated with football.
- Explains that most of the deaths attributed to concussions from playing football are older boys and men. however, david sumner, a ten-year-old from simi valley, california, died from head injuries sustained while playing.
- Explains that dr. robert cantu, the director of boston university's center for the study of traumatic encephalopathy, has been a leader in this research.
- Explains how dr. cantu describes two types of acceleration that create a concussion to the brain: linear acceleration and rotational acceleration.
- Explains how the nfl began to acknowledge the effects of repeated concussions in professional players. commissioner roger goodell introduced a stricter policy to protect the health and safety of nfl players and set the best possible example.
- Explains that while the long-term effects of concussions on adults are documented, there is less research available on the effects on a child.
- Explains that a concussion can cause chemical changes in the brain, causing fatigue, memory loss, lack of concentration, and an inability to stay focused.
- Explains that a study conducted by virginia tech and wake forest universities proved that children playing football receives hits to the head equal to professional athletes.
- Explains that a child's body isn't fully developed, and that the brain damage caused by concussions is more severe. rotational forces are greater for children, proportional to the severity of the hit.
- Explains second impact syndrome, which occurs when a child receives another concussion, before an older one heals. the majority of victims of second impact syndrome are under the age of eighteen, all of them male.
- Explains that second impact syndrome is a rare but usually fatal condition. carrol, linda, and david rosner. the concussion crisis: anatomy of the silent epidemic.
- Explains that daniel, ray w., steven rowson, and stefan m. duma. “head impact exposure in youth football.” annals of biomedical engineering.
- Explains that newton’s football: the science behind americas game. ballantine books, 2013.
- Analyzes how mihoces, gary, and nation, a. d., et al. weighed the risks of youth football in the context of a concussion debate.
- Analyzes yates, keith, et al., longitudinal trajectories of postconcussive symptoms in children with mild traumatic brain injuries and their relation to acute clinical status. pediatrics.
1412 wordsRead More - High School Friday Night Lightsanalytical essayIn contrast to the positives, high school athletics can be seen in a negative light. “Concussions [from athletics] cause structural brain damage” (Solotaroff 7). Even though nobody is said to get a concussion in Friday Night Lights, they are very frequent in football and in other sports today. They occur all the time in football especially. In addition to that piece of nega...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how h.g. bissinger describes the impact of football on the surrounding culture in a small texas town.
- Explains that high school athletics can have a major impact on everyone that is involved with them, and it can even leave an impression on people who aren't associated with it.
- Analyzes how friday night lights makes football seem like the most important thing in small town texas.
- Describes the pros and cons of sports competition at the high school level.
857 wordsRead More - NFL Safety Rulesopinionated essayThe game of football has become safer over the past few years and is helping cut down the risk of injury. Not only are they safer during they play with the new safety technology they will be healthier after they play as well. Aikman praised the NFL for its recent decision to run baseline tests on all players in training camp so the league can later determine if their brains have been damaged from hits to the head.(“Aikman…”). With the new testing players be better equipped and prepared before and after their football careers. Many football players get brain injuries which is why they need to have better safety equipment. In any given season, about 20% of high school players suffer brain injuries (“Lanham”). The safety equipment is becoming way more advanced as well. Helmets are getting better, but it’s more effective at protecting the skull than the brain inside (“Death of Football…”). The Children’s Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act comes in light of the fact that there are no federal guidelines for both new and used helmets that formally test against the forces believed to cause concussions (“Lanham”). The new safety equipment can’t protect everything thou...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the nfl is trying to make the game safer with safer equipment and making new rules but some people believe it is ruining the sport.
- Explains that football has become safer over the past few years and is helping cut down the risk of injury. aikman praised the nfl for its recent decision to run baseline tests on all players in training camp.
- Explains that the nfl has been cracking down on the hits and fining players more than usual. players and referees have to adjust their whole playing style.
- Explains that the new safety rules may be beneficial for players but it may also cause football to have less players and viewers of the sport.
- Opines that the new nfl's rule for safety and protection of the players has changed many different aspects to the game and affects the entire game of football.
- Analyzes how the nfl endorses the udall-rockefeller youth sports safety effort.
- States schumer pushes legislation to improve high school football helmet safety standards, help cut down on concussions among capital region youth.
750 wordsRead More - High School Concussionsopinionated essayThe protection of football players is a big deal in pro football, but how about high school football? Concussions are a major problem in high school football, there are 67,000 reported concussions and about the same amount of concussions not reported. Head injuries can affect you in many ways, but what some people don’t know is that every head impact can damage your brain in a long period of time. The best way to avoid injuries in high school football is for an organization to be created to oversee high school sports and to protect players. The safety of high school players is important because they still have time for great accomplishments in their sport. The main reason this organization should be created is because, by the time football
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the best way to avoid injuries in high school football is for an organization to be created to oversee and protect players.
286 wordsRead More - Concussions in the NFLanalytical essayEven though the devastation of concussions is just rising to the surface, they have always been around. In 1994, the NFL started a committee called the MTBI (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury). Dr. Elliot Pellman was appointed as chair, and he was quoted saying, “We think the issue of knees, of drugs and steroids and drinking is a far greater problem, according to the number of incidents” (Ezell). This quote shows how concussions did not hold much importance, even though it should have been the committee's main focus. This is ironic, because in today’s sport world concussions are a highly talked about topic. They hold such significance that some rules are even being changed to lower the risk for players.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the national football league has been associated with concussions and brain traumas throughout the years, but recently it was exposed by media and nfl veterans. many former players are experiencing the effects of taking hard hits over and over again.
- Analyzes how the nfl started a committee called the mtbi (mild traumatic brain injury) in 1994. dr. elliot pellman's quote shows how concussions didn't hold much importance, even though it should have been the committee’s main focus.
- Narrates how mike webster, a former pittsburgh steeler, brought awareness to brain traumas by claiming to be disabled with the nfl retirement board and having dementia.
- Explains that dr. omalu diagnosed a football player with cte, and two other doctors connected concussions to dementia.
- Explains that the mtbi was still making concussions sound minor, and not a big problem.
- Describes how david duerson, a 50-year-old former chicago bears player, committed suicide to donate his brain to further research.
- Explains that duerson is not the only player dealing with effects of brain trauma during a professional football career. over 240 complaints have been filed against the nfl and how they deal with concussions.
- Explains that the nfl ignored mounting evidence about damage from concussions and tried to dispute emerging science with questionable research of its own.
- Explains that the league finally strengthened their approach to concussions. medical professionals on the sideline now are more prone to look for symptoms.
- Explains that concussions can be fatal if they occur before the brain heals properly. many nfl players are giant and feel untouchable, but they need to be as aware as everyone else.
- Opines that the first few days after a concussion, an athlete needs to be very careful with what they allow themselves to do.
- Explains that concussion prevention techniques can be used especially in football. helmets are the protective gear to help with prevention.
- Explains that football is a very physical game and the chance of preventing any injury is very limited. all doctors agree that helmets will never completely prevent the brain.
- Describes the recent rule changes that were an effect of the settlement, including hitting with the crown, the snapper can never be hit, and late hits.
- Argues that officials should be responsible for removing players suspected of concussions. they argue that if officials are trusted with this power, they should also be able to remove players who are bleeding.
- Opines that the issue of concussions spreads beyond the players alone. many rules and procedures have been manipulated to fit new research on brain traumas.
- Explains that the nfl announces rule changes. the nfl concussion litigation rss.
- Analyzes mcclement, john, mihoces, gary, pennington, bill, smith, stephanie, and smith.
1768 wordsRead More - Concussions and Student Athletesexplanatory essayIn sports, the best athletes are the individuals that give each team a chance to win every game. The bad news for the best athletes is that sometimes their health gets put second to their abilities. Roughly 1.8 to 3.6 million sports related concussions happen each year (Concussion Statistics). Stronger and faster athletes as well as more impact of the hits or falls have doubled the number of concussions in a decade (Concussion Statistics). Concussions can happen to every athlete, but when it happens to the star athletes, it is different. Schools have to follow direct concussion safety laws, but professional sports have more leniencies (Get). Wins are more important in the professional leagues compared to the high school and amateur levels. Wins lead to the coveted playoffs. The playoffs can lead to an even more coveted championship. During the playoffs, the games are shown on national television, seen by millions of fans. In the games, players can shine in the national spotlight. If an athlete performs well that individual can be paid more money in the future. If the coaches win their respective divisions, conferences, make the playoffs, make the championship game, or win the championship, it all leads to a higher pay for the coach. It also leads to more money for the team and city as well. Winning means so much in the professional leagues. But is it really win at all costs? As much as I personally love sports with a passion, I would prefer each player get fully recovered and then come back, rather than rush back still not at one hundred percent. I want my favorite players to play for a long time not for short stints between each injury. The player’s health is way more important to me then the championship. Rushing players back in...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the best athletes are the individuals that give each team a chance to win every game, but the bad news is that sometimes their health gets put second to their abilities.
- Explains that medical staff and researchers now know more about the body than ever before. when a player gets violent impact in the cranial area, athletic trainers know the procedures.
- Explains that there have been many lawsuits of the cover up of concussions. the most famous case was between 4,500 former players and the national football league.
- Explains that former player clinton portis was in a lawsuit against the nfl. he received ten concussions throughout his career.
- Explains that dr. ann mckee, a professor of neurology and pathology, receives the brains of deceased former players. she believes each player knew the risks of playing contact sports.
- Explains that many players rush back to their job in order to keep it. the professional leagues are tough businesses and jobs are important.
- Opines that coaches, organizations, and teams rush players back or keep them in action to help get wins.
- Explains that concussions have doubled in the last decade. the brain controls a lot of what humans do. each athlete is still human and cannot take continuous impact and injury.
- Cites sportsmd, sports illustrated, time inc., and the mayo clinic for medical education and research.
- Opines that seau's death puts football under question again.
- Narrates king, peter, mccloskey, and bailes. when winning costs too much.
1121 wordsRead More - Football Is Dangerous Essayanalytical essayIn the United States, football is the most popular sport. It is also the sport that has the most injuries. Just in 2005-2006, high school football players had over half a million injuries nationwide. In August 2007, the American Journal of Sports Medicine stated, “4 out of 1000 high school exposures resulted in an injury.” Considering these facts, football is the most dangerous in high school because the brain isn’t fully developed, they receive less medical care than professionals, and they use old safety gear.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that football is the most popular sport in the united states, and that it has the highest number of injuries.
- Explains the dangers of concussions for high school players, but they continue to play. repeated hits to the head can lead to brain disease resulting in death.
- Explains that young students are receiving less medical care than college layers and professionals. a 1988 study showed that the incidence of injuries is significantly lower than football players at college.
- Opines that most high school players are using old gear, such as cheaper helmets from previous generations. helmets now are made differently but weren't made to protect the skull.
- Explains that while some might claim that high school football is dangerous, they fail to see it isn't. there have been improvements made on helmets to help with concussions.
- Argues that football is too dangerous because the brain isn't developed all the way, they receive less medical care than pros, and old safety gear is being used.
504 wordsRead More - Definition Essay: The Harmful Effects Of American Footballopinionated essayAccording to San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland, in the article “49er’s Chris Borland retiring at 24, wary of head trauma,” it’s simply not worth the risk to wait till you experience certain symptoms, because otherwise, it will just be too late. With this in mind, based on statistics from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, “approximately 8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each day for sports-related injuries.” Along with this, “there are three times as many catastrophic football injuries among high school athletes as college athletes.” When being exposed to a sport such as tackle football, it is only evident that students are prone to facing many injuries. Having a history of injury can only act as a catalyst for future injury; prevention, in this case, to avoid such situations is only more critical, as specific injuries can deter mental development for
In this essay, the author
- Argues that football holds a powerful aura in the realm of sports, but there are more consequences to the game than just winning or losing.
- Explains that it's common sense to prevent accidents before they occur. according to the national athletic trainer’s association, 8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each day for sports-related injuries.
- Explains that former nfl players were divided into groups based on whether or not they began playing tackle football before they were 12. they were then given cognitive tests to test areas such as mental flexibility and problem-solving skills.
- Opines that it's important to deter the increasing rates at which students become injured (or in worst case scenarios, die) and seek treatment at young ages.
- Opines that tackle football poses a major concern for players in terms of health. with the risk of mental impairment, it's best to use common sense and simply say "no" to young people participating in the sport.
640 wordsRead More - How Should Dangerous Sports Be Outlawedopinionated essayOne of the most important issues in America is when teen health is being put on the line just to play a little ball game or any other type of dangerous sport. The CDC notes '' that when a young athlete unusually blow to the head, For instance, you concussion from playing football it can cause the short-term effects of a concussion can generate additional problems that may plague a person throughout life. When young athletes have a
In this essay, the author
- Opines that playing dangerous sports can lead to illness later in life and should be outlawed.
- Explains that teen health is being put on the line just to play a little ball game or any other type of dangerous sport.
- Opines that teens should not play dangerous because of the demand from the team, parents and coach to win it gets them of guard of their education.
- Explains that researchers have made everything from advance helmets to exercises to playing multiply sports to protect teens from dangerous injuries.
- Argues that teens playing dangerous games are an incredible threat to themselves later on in life and should be banned. if the government fails to do something more die each year.
719 wordsRead More