NFL policy sparks concussion discussion

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell drafted a &#8220whistle-blower” policy earlier this month that essentially aims to monitor players who suffer concussions and prevent them from prematurely returning to the field.

Such a procedure, however, is standard protocol at the high school level, where coaches are always expected to ‘use their heads’ to save the heads of their players.

&#8220You should never rush players back from any injuries – especially concussions,” said Ellender football coach Tawaski Anderson. &#8220It’s selfish. If we rush them back, they’re just going to hurt themselves even more.”

Safety is paramount. That’s why high school coaches have to be especially cognizant of any form of head trauma that might result from collisions on the gridiron.

According to guidelines published by the American Academy of Neurology, concussions are classified into grades according to severity:

n Grade One – Transient confusion, with symptoms that last momentarily.

n Grade Two – Transient confusion with no loss of consciousness, with symptoms that can last longer than 15 minutes.

n Grade Three – Loss of consciousness.

&#8220A player with a grade one concussion typically sits out 15 minutes,” said Thibodaux neurosurgeon Kenneth Gaddis. &#8220A grade one is what happens when a player ‘gets his bell rung.’ But it progresses to a grade three, when a player gets knocked out cold. Players with this grade shouldn’t return to the field for a minimum of a week.”

Players who suffer more than one grade-three concussion, Gaddis added, are advised to sit out at least a month.

It’s not worth taking a gamble.

&#8220Concussions can lead to loss of memory and focus and can affect the ability to learn in the classroom,” he explained. &#8220They also can lead to dizziness, loss of balance and can affect a person’s personality, as many become short-tempered.”

Randy Bouquet is thankful his players haven’t suffered any concussions in his six years at the helm of H.L. Bourgeois.

Although he’s a statistical anomaly, Boquet believes instruction at most high schools fosters a safer style of game than what is typically experienced in the upper levels.

&#8220Coaches in high school teach kids to lead with the shoulder pad, not the helmet, when they tackle,” he said. &#8220In college and the pros, you see players leading with their heads a lot more.”

Boquet feels the price of winning shouldn’t come at the expense of permanent injury.

&#8220We definitely feel very strongly that our number one job is the safety of our kids,” he explained. &#8220We’re trying to win football games, but we’re also trying to teach kids how to get along with one another and the proper way they should live their lives. If someone gets a concussion, they won’t be allowed back onto the field without a doctor’s approval.”

E.D. White coach Kyle Lasseigne takes a similar stance.

&#8220Our team physician and physical therapist usually make the final calls on whether players are ok to play or how long they are supposed to sit out after getting a concussion,” he said. &#8220We take it case by case. At this level, I’m pretty conservative about bringing them back too soon.”

Eleven of Lasseigne’s players have been diagnosed with concussions during his six seasons with the Trojans.

Nonetheless, he’s encouraged by the fact that the quality of helmets continues to evolve and more and more attention is being paid to head trauma.

&#8220Concussions happened back in the 1980s, but kids just sat out a couple of plays and went back in,” Lasseigne said. &#8220Now, information about concussions is at the forefront. People know that the damage that can be done is pretty severe.”

Gaddis’ line of work teaches him first-hand.

&#8220A quarterback is a relatively protected position, but running backs and wide receiversŠman. If I had a kid, I think I’d guide him into tennis.”

Curtis Welch absorbs a vicious hit during Vandebilt’s annual spring intrasquad scrimmage. Area high school football coaches always have to keep a vigilant watch over the physical health of their players.