Time to take head injuries seriously
TORONTO Not everybody has received the message that concussions are serious and that repeat concussions can kill.
Gung-ho parents have to smarten up. Some in the media, too.
So said Gord Stringer on Tuesday in Toronto. His 17-year-old daughter Rowan died four years ago after suffering two rugby concussions in the same week.
“We’ve got to try to get everybody on the same page,” Stringer said at a news conference to launch the Team Up Speak Up concussion education campaign. “I’ve heard a lot of stories from doctors. They’ve seen kids and it’s the parents who are like, ‘Oh, he’s got a tournament next weekend. He’s got to play in the tournament.’ No, he can’t play in the tournament. You’ve got to get your head wrapped around the fact that a potential lifetime of debilitation is not worth that tournament next weekend.”
Stringer said he was particularly appalled at what two TV announcers said in the spring after an NHL goalie was hit in the head and stumbled to his feet during a playoff game.
“I remember distinctly the broadcasters talking about, ‘Oh look, he’s trying to make sure he doesn’t look like he got hit that hard. But that was a pretty big hit, and he’s a big hero for staying in there and trying to cover up his symptoms.’
“That’s like the worst message you could possibly give on a national broadcast for our national team sport. So I think there needs to be a bit of a change there as well, to stop glorifying the guy who played through his injuries and highlight that that’s not necessarily a good thing to do.”