Concussions seem to be an accepted part of all contact sports in this country. It goes with the territory. But, too often, players who are concussed one week seem to be out there again the following weekend. This can be very dangerous as the long term effects of concussions are still not clear medically. In Boxing (well, Amateur Boxing at least), if a fighter is concussed then they are forbidden from fighting again for a full month. This has happened at the Olympic Games in the past when a semi-final was won by a New Zealander at the L.A. 1984 Games but he was unable to compete for a month because of concussion so he had to forfeit the Gold Medal bout.
In all of the football codes in this country this practice should be adopted for the safety of the players long term health. Too often we see former star players developing brain illnesses in later life that can be directly attributed to their playing days. Too often, we see current players slur their speech alot more in the twilight of their careers (many of whom join the media once retired). This can't be allowed to happen.
Concussion in Contact Sports
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argee
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Jeffles
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Good point. It would be difficult to convince clubs of this because of the financial pressure on players.
In perspective, boxers rarelty fight that ften. It is only in major competitions that they fight every few days. Usually it is every few weeks or months. So it is rre that this rule would invoke the missing of a match. I think our athletes should take a break from intensive work for maybe a few days or even a week post concussion. But if they aren't heeding such medical advice already something must be made mandatory. It is a health and safety AND an image issue.
In perspective, boxers rarelty fight that ften. It is only in major competitions that they fight every few days. Usually it is every few weeks or months. So it is rre that this rule would invoke the missing of a match. I think our athletes should take a break from intensive work for maybe a few days or even a week post concussion. But if they aren't heeding such medical advice already something must be made mandatory. It is a health and safety AND an image issue.