In today’s world, sports are played and watched by millions of people. They’re at the top of newspaper headlines and are all over the Internet. One of the most highly watched sports in the United States is Football. Football, specifically the National Football League (NFL), captivates millions each week with its high intensity play and hard hitting. Although the game is loved there are, like all sports, some scary injuries that players can sustain. Currently, the biggest issue that concerns the sport is concussions. “A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions.” Players can receive a concussion by either colliding their head with another player or the ground. In the early years of football, concussions …show more content…
Although players do wear protective gear, they must understand that when taking a blow to the head that it is implied that damage is done to the brain. Whether it is a weak or significant concussion, players must expect the following symptoms when taking hits to the head during a game. Short-term effects usually occur in three ways cognitive, physical, and emotional. The cognitive are usually noticed immediately after the concussion is sustained. A player may forget the last few plays that have occurred, which can lead to them ignoring the problem. They will also have loss of concentration and slow reaction time, which, if left on the field, can lead to more injury. However, the easiest way for a team doctor to notice a cognitive problem is to speak with the player. A person with a concussion will usually have problems communicating, struggling to be able to talk. Along with the cognitive issues that occur, a concussion will also lead to physical problems. Starting immediately after a concussion is sustained, a player will be in a daze, and have blurred vision. The symptoms then can lead to vomiting, headaches, and vertigo. In worst case scenarios players may even lose consciousness and fall into a coma. Finally, a concussion can lead to some emotional effects as well. It is implied that when you damage your brain you hurt your emotional state as well. That