Editorial “An Inadequate Response to Concussions” states:
“The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which is currently embroiled in a lawsuit over its ostrichlike response to concussions, released new voluntary guidelines on Monday for concussion safety. But these won’t necessarily fix the problem.
“The guidelines, which the N.C.A.A. has said were ‘created to generate a cultural shift within college athletics,’ recommends that programs limit ‘live contact’ practice sessions that involve tackling to the ground or full-speed blocking to two a week during the season and four a week in the preseason.”
WATCHDOG: Such hypocrisy, not only by the editors but by all of us. In our eyes, allowing youngsters to play football is tantamount to child abuse.
When our daughter had a concussion after falling from a horse, the neurologist instructed a week of rest with avoidance of hyper mental activity and then a tapered recovery program tied to observation that was to last for weeks. As it turned out, it took well over a year for her full return to normal.
So how is being removed from a game sufficient treatment for concussion?
The real answer is that we need to eliminate American football from our high schools and colleges and substitute soccer, lacrosse and other highly aerobic but less dangerous sports.
Only then will we be protecting and showing real concern for our youngsters.
Perhaps the School District of Lancaster can show the way.
