President Obama sports the new Riddell Revolution helmet specifically designed to reduce head injuries
College football is no doubt a violent game. During the season, there seems to be an injury every week and the most notable injury is the concussion. The good news is the concussion rate seems to be leveling off. The Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention has published its recent findings to prove this point. The study found that the concussion rate dropped from 3.4 per 1,000 football players in 2004 to 2.4 in 2005 and between 2006 and 2009, the rate was no higher than 2.8 per 1,000 football players.
There is no clear explanation for the leveling off, but one can safely assume the NCAA is doing its job by enacting stricter rules against spearing, helmet-to-helmet contact, and other illegal hits. Also, better coaching and improved helmet design and construction are undoubtedly providing additional safety for the players.
Unfortunately, there is a major bias in this study when it comes to data analysis. The numbers are actually based off of reported in-game and practice related concussions. It is a fact that certain schools will not release certain injuries or the cause of those injuries. So if a player is sidelined from a concussion and it’s not reported, the numbers get skewed.
Concussions are very serious and it’s unfortunate that they are grossly unreported. Under the circumstances, we must applaud the NCAA for its efforts in reducing player injuries. Even Congress is jumping onboard by holding hearings regarding head injuries from youth football all the way to the NFL.
This report is far from accurate, but it does provide a good foundation in sending the message that the NCAA recognizes a problem and it is doing what it can to limit head injuries at the college level.
