QoTD: Young Headbangers Edition

by: Rosi Efthim

Thu Sep 09, 2010 at 11:02:43 AM EDT

We don't want wussies on the field, but we need to protect our kids.

Okay, so the quote's a little cringe-worthy. But the legislation, for which Pascrell is prime sponsor, looks very sensible. The ConTACT Act - that's Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act (HR 1347) - was created to prevent concussion and brain injury in young athletes. It would set federal standards for when an athlete could return to play following a head injury and provide federal grants to middle and high schools to implement neurocognitive baseline testing. And that would help temper the enthusiasm to jump back into play that young athletes who feel invincible have, even when they're vulnerable. To say nothing of coaches pushing for a win.

At yesterday's hearing, at the Prudential Center, a former NFL offensive tackle, two doctors, a high-school athletic trainer and an educator testified.

But one speaker was particularly eloquent, Niki Popyer, 17, who used to play on Marlboro High School's basketball team. She had 7 concussions, and several ambulance trips with loss of consciousness. And she was continually allowed to return to play, completely unaware that concussion is cumulative and that her "constant headaches, sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, tingling hands, and difficulty concentrating" was brain injury that might become permanent.

She's not allowed to drive, by doctor's orders. She can't go in the ocean because waves could knock her down. She's had 5 more concussions since quitting basketball, and one was from an enthusiastic hug. Now, consider that children's brains - including teens - heal more slowly than adult brains do.

The crowd obsessed with government "interference" in schools is going to howl at this. But this is good legislation.