Today, some 2.8 million kids in the U.S. play football. But over the past 16 years, the sport has come under scrutiny. Why? There have been a large number of brain injuries among players of all ages.

    Until recently, knocks to the head were just part of the game. Athletes played through the pain. Many returned to the field with blurred vision. Toughing it out was seen as a sign of strength. 

    Zack had grown up watching football stars run into each other with great force. Clips of the hardest hits of the week were played on TV. 

    So it’s easy to see why Zack decided his team needed him. Less than 15 minutes after his injury, Zack returned to the game. He didn’t know he was risking brain damage or even death.

    Today, some 2.8 million kids in the U.S. play football. But over the past 16 years, the sport has come under scrutiny. Why? Many players have gotten brain injuries.

    Until recently, knocks to the head were just part of the game. Athletes played through the pain. Many returned to the field with blurred vision. That was seen as a sign of strength.

    Zack had grown up watching football stars run into each other—hard. Clips of the hardest hits of the week were played on TV.

    Zack decided his team needed him. He wanted to be tough. Less than 15 minutes after his injury, he returned to the game. He didn’t know he was risking brain damage or even death.

    Today, some 2.8 million kids in the United States play football. But over the past 16 years, the sport has come under scrutiny because there have been a large number of brain injuries among players of all ages.

    Until recently, knocks to the head were regarded as just part of the game. Athletes played through the pain. Many returned to the field with blurred vision. Toughing it out was considered a sign of strength.

    Zack had grown up watching football stars run into each other with incredible force. Clips of the hardest hits of the week were played on television.

    So it’s easy to understand why Zack decided his team needed him. Less than 15 minutes after his injury, Zack returned to the game. He never imagined that he could be risking brain damage or even death.

    A concussion is an invisible injury. It leaves no marks on the outside of the body. At the time, Zack’s coaches weren’t trained to spot a concussion’s common signs (see infographic below). So they did what many coaches might have done: They sent their star player back in.

    Zack played like a champion through the second half of the game. Meanwhile, each small hit was making his injury worse.

    In the game’s final seconds, Zack tackled the other team’s running back. It was a game-winning play for Zack’s team. But there would be no celebration. Barely a minute later, Zack fell down on the ground. His brain was bleeding and swelling. It pushed against his skull. The pain was terrible. He was taken to a hospital. Doctors rushed to save his life. 

    By that night, Zack was in a coma. It would be three months before he opened his eyes. It would be nine months before he could speak. Zack would need care for the rest of his life.

    A concussion is an invisible injury. It leaves no marks on the outside of the body. At the time, Zack’s coaches weren’t trained to spot a concussion’s common signs (see infographic below). So they did what many coaches might have done. They sent their star player back in.

    Zack played like a champ. But each small hit made his injury worse.

    In the game’s final seconds, Zack tackled the other team’s running back. Zack’s team won the game. But there was no celebration. Barely a minute later, Zack fell down. His brain was bleeding and swelling. It pushed against his skull. The pain was terrible. He was taken to a hospital. Doctors rushed to save his life.

    By that night, Zack was in a coma. It would be three months before he opened his eyes. It would be nine months before he could speak. Zack would need care for the rest of his life.

    A concussion is an invisible injury. It leaves no marks on the outside of the body. At the time, Zack’s coaches weren’t trained to identify a concussion’s common signs (see infographic below), so they did what many coaches might have done: sent their star player back into the game.

    Zack played like a champion through the second half of the game—but each small hit was making his injury worse.

    In the game’s final seconds, Zack tackled the other team’s running back. It was a game-winning play for Zack’s team, but there would be no celebration. Barely a minute later, Zack collapsed onto the ground. His brain was bleeding and swelling, causing terrible pain as it pushed against his skull. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors rushed to save his life.

    By that night, Zack was in a coma. It would be three months before he opened his eyes, and it would be nine months before he could speak. Zack would need care for the rest of his life.

    It’s shocking to think that a middle school football game ended with a player in a coma. Very few young athletes suffer brain injuries as bad as Zack’s. But concussions are common. About 10 percent of middle school boys who play football experience concussions during games.

    Most people who get concussions will recover. The injury just needs to be treated. If it’s ignored, the concussion can get worse. It can cause constant headaches, memory problems, and other issues.     

    In Zack’s case, it was not the initial concussion that caused his brain to bleed and swell. It was the small hits to his head that happened after he went back into the game. 

    If Zack had stayed off the field, he would likely have been OK.

    Young athletes rarely get brain injuries as bad as Zack’s. But concussions are common. About 1 in 10 middle school boys who play football get concussions during games.

    Most people who get concussions will recover. The injury just needs to be treated. If it’s ignored, the concussion can get worse. It can cause constant headaches, memory problems, and more.

    It was not the initial concussion that caused Zack’s brain to bleed and swell. It was the small hits to his head that happened after he went back into the game.

    If Zack had stayed off the field, he would likely have been OK.

    It’s shocking to realize that a middle school football game ended with a player in a coma. Very few young athletes suffer brain injuries as serious as Zack’s, but concussions are not uncommon. Approximately 10 percent of middle school boys who play football experience concussions during games.

    Most people who get concussions will recover—as long as the injury is treated. If it’s ignored, the concussion can get worse. It can cause constant headaches, memory problems, and other issues.

    In Zack’s case, it wasn’t the initial concussion that caused his brain to bleed and swell. It was the small hits to his head that happened after he went back into the game.

    If Zack had stayed off the field, he would likely have been OK.

    The words what if  haunted Zack’s parents. What if Zack and his coach had understood the dangers of concussions? What if there had been a rule that kept injured players off the field?

    The Lystedts decided they wanted to help other young athletes. They worked with lawmakers and doctors to pass the Lystedt Law in Washington in 2009. Under this law, young athletes who might have a concussion are not allowed to return to play until a doctor says it’s OK. There are now similar laws in all 50 states.

    The National Football League (NFL) has also passed tougher rules about concussions. Today, players who get a hit to the head are looked at by a doctor right away.

    The words what if haunted Zack’s parents. What if Zack and his coach had known more about concussions? What if there had been a rule that kept injured players off the field?

    The Lystedts wanted to help other young athletes. They worked with lawmakers and doctors to pass the Lystedt Law in Washington in 2009. Under this law, young athletes who might have a concussion are not allowed to return to play until a doctor says it’s OK. There are now similar laws in all 50 states.

    The National Football League (NFL) has made tougher rules about concussions too. Today, players who get a hit to the head are seen by a doctor right away.

    The words what if  haunted Zack’s parents. What if Zack and his coach had understood the dangers of concussions? What if there had been a rule that kept injured players off the field?

    The Lystedts wanted to help protect other young athletes, so they worked with lawmakers and doctors to pass the Lystedt Law in Washington in 2009. Under this law, young athletes who might have a concussion aren’t allowed to return to play without a doctor’s approval. There are now similar laws in all 50 states.

    The National Football League (NFL) has also passed tougher rules about concussions. Today, players who get a hit to the head are examined by a doctor.