SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY
No helmet can prevent the serious head or neck injuries a player might receive while participating in football. Also, contact in football may result in a concussion-brain injury which no helmet can prevent. Do not return an athlete to a game or practice until all symptoms are gone and the athlete received medical clearance. Ignoring this warning may lead to another and more serious or fatal brain injury.
Please use this page as a resource to help you recognize and respond to concussions or suspected concussions in athletes.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) concussion related website, here are some signs and symptoms of what could indicate a concussion:
SYMPTOMS OBSERVED BY PARENT OR COACH
- Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall
- Appears dazed or stunned
- Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score or opponent
- Moves clumsily
- Answers questions slowly
- Loses consciousness (even briefly)
- Shows mood, behavior or personality changes
SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETE
- Headache or “pressure” in head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness or double or blurry vision
- Bothered by light or noise
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
- Confusion or concentration or memory problems
- Just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down”
Riddell always encourages coaches, athletes, and parents, to observe their athletic program’s established protocol.
For more information, please refer to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) concussion related website.
If you suspect that an athlete has a concussion, here is an action plan to take:
1. Remove the athlete from play.
2. Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by a health care professional. Do not try to judge the seriousness of the injury yourself.
3. Keep the athlete out of play until medical clearance is provided. An athlete should only return to play with permission from a health care professional.
For more information regarding an action plan, visit CDC’s Basics on Responding to Concussions.
Helmet safety is also necessary. Maintenance and correct fitting is essential to the use of all protective equipment. Football helmets must be fitted and properly maintained if they are to serve the player.
For more information on properly fitting a helmet, please see Riddell’s online helmet fitting guides.
Additional CDC Resources
- HEADS UP Resource Center
- HEADS UP Concussion Info Sheet
- HEADS UP – Parent Resources
- HEADS UP – Youth Coaches Training
Information from this page was sourced from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention