It’s an issue that’s been discussed and debated: How much more stringent should the guidelines be regarding footbal-playing youths who sustain concussions?
In yet another tragedy that seems to point to tougher rules, last Friday running back Nathan Stiles of Spring Hills High School in the surburbs of Kansas City died hours after collapsing on the sidelines of a Thursday night game.
Stiles had been shaken up at the game after trying to make a tackle, and as he was walking out he complained that his head hurt. He took off his helmet and screamed in pain. He was then quickly transported to the hospital and died shortly there.
The preliminary belief is that Stiles brain was bleeding, which shut his lungs and heart down. Stiles also had suffered a concussion not that long ago, at a game in early October, but had been given the OK to play.
During a recent broadcast on National Public Radio, Dr. Ann McKee, a Boston University School of Medicine expert on brain injury and football, said that concussions are more “detrimental” the earlier in age you sustain them.
In turn, columnist Kevin Blackstone suggested that high school players who suffer concussions not be permitted to play for another 60 to 90 days.
That may sound drastic, but a rule like that may have saved Nathan Stiles life.
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