Concussions are once again at the forefront of the sports world, and even more so in the NFL after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his third concussion of his career.
In a 31-10 loss to AFC East rival Buffalo, Tagavailoa made contact with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, with the quarterback’s head making initial contact. Tagovailoa then went to the ground in a fencing position. According to ESPN, a ‘fencing position’ is a term applied to the way someone’s arms go into an unnatural and awkward position. Watching any of the multitude of clips of the play shows Tagovailoa’s right arm outstretched oddly while his hand curled. After much speculation and rumors amidst the media, as well as former NFL players speaking their minds on the issue, Tagovailoa has not publicly said anything about retirement. The Dolphins have placed him on injury reserve as of now.
As a former player and current head coach of Wayne State football, Logan Masters and his staff have preventative measures in place to prevent concussions. Players wear guardian caps in practice, and players exercise certain blocking and tackling techniques to limit contact with their heads. Guardian caps are a protective layer that goes over a player’s helmet, giving the player more cushioning during contact. After players started wearing them in practice, the NFL has recently given players the option to wear guardian caps in games, with Tennessee Titans tight end Josh Whyle wearing one for the season opener against Chicago.
Aside from preventative measures in practice, Masters and his staff also have a concussion protocol in place for players who they suspect or know have a concussion. Any player in concussion protocol must be cleared by a physician before being able to play.
In terms of the Tagovailoa situation, Masters hasn’t had to deal with something like that at WSC.
“I think it’s a family decision and thinking about the future of that individual,” Masters said. “Different families and individuals believe different things and what makes everyone happy is different.”
Studies show that concussions have been on the rise in recent years. The NFL stated that there was an 18% increase in concussions from the 2021-22 season to the ’22-23 season, with 149 concussions over 271 games. The rise is seen outside professional football as well, as the North Kansas City Hospital highlights an increase in school-age children concussions from 2015-17 compared to previous years.
According to the CDC, tackling accounts for roughly 63% of concussions in high school football across the United States.
“Youth football starts at such a young age, “ said Masters. “It’s hard to teach college athletes the proper technique and now we’re asking volunteers to teach 9- and 10-year-olds how to use the proper technique to be safe for them and the other player. Also, their bodies aren’t developed enough to have full body control to keep them out of vulnerable positions that increases the risk of concussions. Players who get concussions at a young age are now more susceptible to getting a second concussion.”
Athletes across many sports will continue to try to stay healthy as more research on concussions and concussion prevention is done.