Watching my son play football is both exciting and frightening. Injuries and concussions are an ever present concern for sports moms, and for good reason. Thankfully, this issue is making headway in the public forum. The medical profession, athletes, parents and media have all been discussing the concussion crisis. One of the most compelling books addressing this topic in depth comes from the former president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Throwaway Players: The Concussion Crisis from Pee Wee Football to the NFL
Throwaway Players: The Concussion Crisis from Pee Wee Football to the NFL by Gay Culverhouse is a must read for parents and all those concerned about the players. The underlying message is not to kill the sport of football, but instead to make it inherently safer for children and professionals alike. As a mom to a determined athlete with dreams of the NFL, this book was enlightening in many ways.
Unique Perspective
Gay Culverhouse comes at this topic from the trenches, this mom not holds a doctorate in special education and mental retardation, she is also the former president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Her unique perspective allows her to offer an enlightening glimpse into the football culture. It is a real eye-opener, shining an unflattering light into the world of professional sports, She talks of players who suffer from early dementia after a career of taking blows to the head and those afflicted with Parkinson’s disease or life-altering addictions to pain killers. She compares these throw away players to the gladiators at the Coliseum in ancient Rome.
Concussion Epidemic
The author has been making waves throughout all levels of football, from youth to high school to the NFL. Her testimony before Congress and incessant lobbying has paid off; the NFL now requires an independent neurologist to be on the sidelines of every NFL game. Before Congress, Culverhouse “spoke of the injustices done to the players who were put back on the field with injuries. Players forced themselves to play with concussions. They knew their back-up wanted on the field. They had to hold onto their jobs. I described the players who were injected with pain killers in the locker rooms so they could continue after half time.”
Secondary Skills
Culverhouse saw up close and personal what unbridled passion for the game brought to many of the players. The fact is that NFL careers on average last between 2 and 3.5 years. Since a player needs to play for four years in order to receive health insurance after retirement, many men are pushed off the field without that safety net.
Most parents and coaches try to emphasize education, but the reality is they really need to have a clear back up plan. The book reports that many of the NFL players who thrill us each weekend, sadly do not. She says, “These players, these men, had been thrown away after their years of gripping our hearts with their plays. What remained were the broken bodies and lost souls of the men who have permanently left the locker room. This is what remains after the cheering subsides. This is what the National Football League does not want you to see.”
Shining the Spotlight
Ultimately Culverhouse is not calling for implementing flag football rules. What she is interested in is stricter guidelines and rule changes at both the youth and high school level.
If an injury has them sidelined, be sure it is properly healed before sending them back out there. Encourage kids to be honest. Head injuries can be sneaky. If a play has them seeing stars, or if it, “rang their bell,” they need to tell someone. Give them the space to be checked out. Parents need to be diligent in protecting our children, yes, even to the detriment of the team.
Parents, check out Throwaway Players to learn more about the game your son loves. It will be an eye-opener.
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