Can a Concussion Last Decades? Yes!

Sidney Crosby returned last night.

To many of you, that means nothing, as you probably don’t know who Sidney Crosby is, nor what he returned from or to.

Sidney Crosby, 24, is probably the best player in the NHL. About a year ago, he received hits to the head on two consecutive nights, and missed about a year of hockey. Earlier this season (in December) he came back, only to have concussion-like symptoms again, and missed another three months before returning last night.

Who knows if, and how long, he will be able to play this season, but everyone in the sport wants him to stay healthy and shine. In an age of athletes getting arrested or busted for taking steroids, Crosby appears to be one of the “good guys.”

Crosby’s injury, long recovery time, return to playing, and then back to missing three months, should be a harsh reminder about head injuries and their severe implications on a child’s, or athlete’s, life.

Concussions have a cumulative effect on its victim. Once you have one, you’re exponentially more likely to get a second. If you haven’t recovered from a first concussion, and you get a second, you could be permanently disabled or killed. In youth sports, safety and head trauma injuries are very important for both coaches and parents to be aware of, to prevent any long-term damage to the child.

If you have a son or daughter playing youth sports, what preventative measures are taken to ensure every player is as safe as can be? While no sport can be completely, 100 percent safe, as children run full speed at each other or a ball, various safeguards need to be in place so everyone stays safe.

When I was playing youth sports, concussions didn’t happen, per se. Players got their bell rung, got a stinger, etc. There was no focus on brain or head injury. Coaches weren’t taught what to look for, and parents weren’t aware of the dangers.

Now, it’s impossible to ignore. A group of former NFL players are suing the leagues for millions in compensation for their disabilities they received after their careers. In the NHL, players are dropping like flies to head injuries. And, with MMA being one of the fastest growing sports in the country, millions of TVs watch grown men knock each other out every week.

I hope Sidney Crosby has a long and healthy career and doesn’t have to miss any more time because of the post-concussion symptoms. Also, I hope parents and coaches all around the country become proactive in keeping their players healthy, so by the time the kids are 24, they don’t have to leave their job for a year because of a hit that may have happened decades earlier.

Matt Elder owns and operates i9 Sports, a youth sports league in Marlborough and Framingham. Their flag football and cheerleading program is taking registrations for its spring season, and plays every Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, where they have a practice and a game all in the same day. It's a great, safe alternative to tackle football. Visit www.i9sports.com today for more details