Concussed reasoning

In the old days, an athlete could have their head smashed into the ground and their coach would laugh, telling them to get back in the game and shake it off.

What those coaches didn’t realize at the time was that when athletes reach their older years after suffering serious concussions, the consequences can be serious and even sometimes dire.

Illustration: Barbara Comes

What was once thought of as being a natural part of sport is leading to serious and often permanent disabilities and conditions.

Failure to recognize that concussions have the potential to destroy a life is also becoming a very serious misconception that many coaches and athletes alike are picking up.

Monty Williams, coach of the the NBA franchise the New Orleans Hornets, recently spoke to the media following his rookie power-forward Anthony Davis suffering what was described as a mild concussion.

“Now, they treat everybody like they have white gloves and pink drawers and it’s getting old. It’s just the way the league is now,” Williams said.

This comment was in response to the mandatory tests Davis was forced to complete in compliance to the NBA’s concussion policy.

Perhaps Coach Williams did not fully understand the potential repercussions that come from taking hits to the noggin.