A recent study by Virginia Tec and Wake Forest revealed that youth league football players experience hits to the head as violent as athletes in college, however, they experience the majority of these hits during practice drills.
Article is linked here:
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7601017/study-impact-kids-football-head-hits-severe-college-games
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Former NFL player weighs in on ESPN article
This was posted on an ESPN message board from a person claiming to be George Visger, a former member of the San Francisco 49ers in 1980 and 1981. The link to the ESPN article is listed here: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7548177/is-roger-goodell-doing-enough-concussions-nfl-espn-magazine
His post was in response to the article and many other posts by individiuals in response to the article about pending lawsuits against the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of the issue in recent years. His entire post is listed below.
George Visger:
I was a member of the 1981 SF 49ers Super Bowl team when I developed hydrocephalus (water on the brain), and underwent emergency VP Shunt brain surgery during my second season in the NFL. I remember turning 23 while lying in intensive care at Stanford hospital, this just a few weeks after a knee surgery.
My football "career" began at age 11 playing for the West Stockton Bear Cubs Pee Wee Pop Warner team in Stockton, CA. My first "diagnosed" concussion occurred during my 3rd year of Pop Warner, when I knocked myself unconscious in a Bull-In-The-Ring drill and was hospitalized. No telling how many concussions I had through high school at Stagg High where our only loss was a bowl game my Jr season in 1974, to an Orange Bowl appearance with Colorado my freshman year in 1976. I had two "diagnosed" concussion at Colorado, but only because I could not remember the game the next day while watching films. My final "diagnosed" concussion occurred my first play with the 49ers in 1980. (I was a 6th round pick of the NY Jets in 80 and the 49ers picked me up just prior to the first Dallas game). I hustle in early in the first quarter and subsequently get ear-holed by Jay Saldi on a Dallas TE Trap. The trainings laughingly told me the next day I went through 20-25 smelling salts during the game. They would hand me a handful, clear my head and send me back in. I never missed a play or a practice.
Two months after we won Super Bowl XVI my shunt failed and I went into a coma, had two more brain surgeries 10 hrs apart and was given last rites. I was also given the hospital bills. All at the ripe age of 23. I was forced to sue the 49ers for Workers Comp just to get my bills paid for, a battle which took me nearly 5 years with creditors hounding me. At the time I was swinging a hammer for my older brother and bouncing in bars at night, as I had not completed my Biology degree before I was drafted.
Fast forward to today, at age 53, I have survived 9 emergency VP Shunt brain surgeries, multiple gran mal seizures, battle constantly with Work Comp to get my bills paid for, and I still don't qualify for any NFL benefits because I had not played the 4 yr minimum to be vested. Now I ask you all, how many of you work in an industry which is based on employee violence, and would need 4 years service under your belt in order to have your injuries covered? I will answer that, NO ONE.
The NFL is a $9.5 BILLION industry with less than 1,800 employees who actually generate those funds. You mean to tell me they can't take 1/2 of 1% of gross annually ($47.5 million unless my damaged brain is not functioning properly), and put it in a non-wasting endowment account for retirement funds to help the families of their injured employees?
By the way Manley 66. I agree with you totally. If you want to protect heads, get rid of helmets. I coordinate with Dr Rich Ellenbogen, the NFLs head of Head, Neck and Spine Injury Group, and one of the first things I told Rich was to get rid of helmets. From the first day you suit up as a kid, they teach you to stick your face in the numbers and explode through the opponent. The brain was never meant to be used as a weapon. I'm brain damaged, and even I figured that one out.
NFL players speak up against brain trauma 8/19/11
http://www.mercurynews.com/
By Mark Emmons memmons@mercurynews.com
Visger Rules – Recommended Changes to NFL Rules
The Sport Digest
Dec 16, 2010 ... George Visger, who played defensive tackle for the University of Colorado in the 1977 Orange Bowl, and won a Super Bowl championship in 1981 ...
thesportdigest.com/.../visger-rules-recommended-changes-to-nfl-rules/ - Cached
George Visger
SF 49ers 80 & 81
Survivor of 9 NFL Caused Emergency VP Shunt Brain Surgeries
Benefactor of ZERO NFL Benefits
His post was in response to the article and many other posts by individiuals in response to the article about pending lawsuits against the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of the issue in recent years. His entire post is listed below.
George Visger:
I was a member of the 1981 SF 49ers Super Bowl team when I developed hydrocephalus (water on the brain), and underwent emergency VP Shunt brain surgery during my second season in the NFL. I remember turning 23 while lying in intensive care at Stanford hospital, this just a few weeks after a knee surgery.
My football "career" began at age 11 playing for the West Stockton Bear Cubs Pee Wee Pop Warner team in Stockton, CA. My first "diagnosed" concussion occurred during my 3rd year of Pop Warner, when I knocked myself unconscious in a Bull-In-The-Ring drill and was hospitalized. No telling how many concussions I had through high school at Stagg High where our only loss was a bowl game my Jr season in 1974, to an Orange Bowl appearance with Colorado my freshman year in 1976. I had two "diagnosed" concussion at Colorado, but only because I could not remember the game the next day while watching films. My final "diagnosed" concussion occurred my first play with the 49ers in 1980. (I was a 6th round pick of the NY Jets in 80 and the 49ers picked me up just prior to the first Dallas game). I hustle in early in the first quarter and subsequently get ear-holed by Jay Saldi on a Dallas TE Trap. The trainings laughingly told me the next day I went through 20-25 smelling salts during the game. They would hand me a handful, clear my head and send me back in. I never missed a play or a practice.
Two months after we won Super Bowl XVI my shunt failed and I went into a coma, had two more brain surgeries 10 hrs apart and was given last rites. I was also given the hospital bills. All at the ripe age of 23. I was forced to sue the 49ers for Workers Comp just to get my bills paid for, a battle which took me nearly 5 years with creditors hounding me. At the time I was swinging a hammer for my older brother and bouncing in bars at night, as I had not completed my Biology degree before I was drafted.
Fast forward to today, at age 53, I have survived 9 emergency VP Shunt brain surgeries, multiple gran mal seizures, battle constantly with Work Comp to get my bills paid for, and I still don't qualify for any NFL benefits because I had not played the 4 yr minimum to be vested. Now I ask you all, how many of you work in an industry which is based on employee violence, and would need 4 years service under your belt in order to have your injuries covered? I will answer that, NO ONE.
The NFL is a $9.5 BILLION industry with less than 1,800 employees who actually generate those funds. You mean to tell me they can't take 1/2 of 1% of gross annually ($47.5 million unless my damaged brain is not functioning properly), and put it in a non-wasting endowment account for retirement funds to help the families of their injured employees?
By the way Manley 66. I agree with you totally. If you want to protect heads, get rid of helmets. I coordinate with Dr Rich Ellenbogen, the NFLs head of Head, Neck and Spine Injury Group, and one of the first things I told Rich was to get rid of helmets. From the first day you suit up as a kid, they teach you to stick your face in the numbers and explode through the opponent. The brain was never meant to be used as a weapon. I'm brain damaged, and even I figured that one out.
NFL players speak up against brain trauma 8/19/11
http://www.mercurynews.com/
By Mark Emmons memmons@mercurynews.com
Visger Rules – Recommended Changes to NFL Rules
The Sport Digest
Dec 16, 2010 ... George Visger, who played defensive tackle for the University of Colorado in the 1977 Orange Bowl, and won a Super Bowl championship in 1981 ...
thesportdigest.com/.../visger-rules-recommended-changes-to-nfl-rules/ - Cached
George Visger
SF 49ers 80 & 81
Survivor of 9 NFL Caused Emergency VP Shunt Brain Surgeries
Benefactor of ZERO NFL Benefits
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Dr. James Andrews makes recommendations for young pitchers
Dr. James Andrews is famous for performing the Tommy John Surgery, makes recommendations on what he believes could benefit young pitchers, who he is starting to see many more on his operating table
http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1091/dr-james-andrews-talks-tommy-john
http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/baseball/post/_/id/1091/dr-james-andrews-talks-tommy-john
12 yr. old Lacrosse player dies after ball strikes him in the chest
Click here for link to the story with viedo or read below
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/12-Year-Old-Lacrosse-Player-Dies/IBO7F9yagE-wX-rOWcOaTg.cspx
Gates, N.Y. – Tyler Kopp, the 12-year-old boy who was injured when a lacrosse ball hit him in the chest last week, has died, Strong Hospital confirmed Tuesday morning.
Tyler was in intensive care at Strong, after being hit by a ball while playing a game at Total Sports Experience in Gates, around 6 p.m. Thursday, February 2.
Tyler's father, Brian Kopp, issued this statement through the Brighton School District:
"On February 7, 2012, Tyler Kopp's body died but his spirit lives on with his family, friends and the many communities who were touched by his wonderful life. Tyler had great sensitivity toward others, a fierce determination and a strong competitive fire. He was the iconic boy - loving sports, the outdoors, and playing with his friends. The Kopp family extends its deepest gratitude to those who kept Tyler in their thoughts and prayers and supported us during the past few days. We have been overwhelmed by your kindness."
Friends and family have asked the media to respect the family’s privacy during this time.
The Brighton School District is making counselors available to meet with students and staff throughout the district.
Questions Surround Tyler Kopp's Death
Following the loss of such a young life, quite understandably, some will ask questions about what happened and what if anything could've been done differently. On Tuesday those questions come from a Long Island mother who has experienced the same pain the Kopp family is currently dealing with.
On March 25, 2000 Louis Acompora, 14, took the field in his first varsity lacrosse game. While playing goalie he blocked a shot with his chest, scooped up the ball, stumbled forward and collapsed. Acompora died from a condition known as commotio cordi which is best described as an abnormal heart rhythm brought on in his case by a ball striking him at precisely the wrong moment, directly over his heart.
Since her son's death Karen Acompora has advocated for increased safety in the sport of lacrosse and throughout scholastic competitions. In May 2002 "Louis' Law" was passed in New York State requiring all public schools to have AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and Emergency Action Plans in place. Since then Acompora, working through the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, has continued to lobby for increased safety measures and procedures.
"It's heartbreaking, it's a sad horrible day because it shouldn't have happened," Karen Acompora told 13WHAM News by phone Tuesday afternoon. "An AED has to be available immediately, within two minutes, that facility should've had one...when did EMS arrive? With every minute that passes the chances of survival drops by 10 percent."
The owner of Unity Health System Total Sports Experience would not discuss specifics out of respect for the Kopp family. Andrew Galina did say however that Total Sports Experience does, and always has, had an AED on site. Galina added that protocol was followed.
Gates Volunteer Ambulance personnel were the first to utilize a defibrillator on Kopp.
"There are organizations out there that don't take it seriously," Karen Acompora said of AED and an Emergency Action Plan while not specifically referencing Total Sports Experience. "They just don't take it seriously because it won't happen to me, it won't happen to my kid, it won't happen to my team. And you know what? If it can happen to my boy it can happen to anybody."
You can learn more about the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation here: www.la12.org.
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/12-Year-Old-Lacrosse-Player-Dies/IBO7F9yagE-wX-rOWcOaTg.cspx
Gates, N.Y. – Tyler Kopp, the 12-year-old boy who was injured when a lacrosse ball hit him in the chest last week, has died, Strong Hospital confirmed Tuesday morning.
Tyler was in intensive care at Strong, after being hit by a ball while playing a game at Total Sports Experience in Gates, around 6 p.m. Thursday, February 2.
Tyler's father, Brian Kopp, issued this statement through the Brighton School District:
"On February 7, 2012, Tyler Kopp's body died but his spirit lives on with his family, friends and the many communities who were touched by his wonderful life. Tyler had great sensitivity toward others, a fierce determination and a strong competitive fire. He was the iconic boy - loving sports, the outdoors, and playing with his friends. The Kopp family extends its deepest gratitude to those who kept Tyler in their thoughts and prayers and supported us during the past few days. We have been overwhelmed by your kindness."
Friends and family have asked the media to respect the family’s privacy during this time.
The Brighton School District is making counselors available to meet with students and staff throughout the district.
Questions Surround Tyler Kopp's Death
Following the loss of such a young life, quite understandably, some will ask questions about what happened and what if anything could've been done differently. On Tuesday those questions come from a Long Island mother who has experienced the same pain the Kopp family is currently dealing with.
On March 25, 2000 Louis Acompora, 14, took the field in his first varsity lacrosse game. While playing goalie he blocked a shot with his chest, scooped up the ball, stumbled forward and collapsed. Acompora died from a condition known as commotio cordi which is best described as an abnormal heart rhythm brought on in his case by a ball striking him at precisely the wrong moment, directly over his heart.
Since her son's death Karen Acompora has advocated for increased safety in the sport of lacrosse and throughout scholastic competitions. In May 2002 "Louis' Law" was passed in New York State requiring all public schools to have AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and Emergency Action Plans in place. Since then Acompora, working through the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, has continued to lobby for increased safety measures and procedures.
"It's heartbreaking, it's a sad horrible day because it shouldn't have happened," Karen Acompora told 13WHAM News by phone Tuesday afternoon. "An AED has to be available immediately, within two minutes, that facility should've had one...when did EMS arrive? With every minute that passes the chances of survival drops by 10 percent."
The owner of Unity Health System Total Sports Experience would not discuss specifics out of respect for the Kopp family. Andrew Galina did say however that Total Sports Experience does, and always has, had an AED on site. Galina added that protocol was followed.
Gates Volunteer Ambulance personnel were the first to utilize a defibrillator on Kopp.
"There are organizations out there that don't take it seriously," Karen Acompora said of AED and an Emergency Action Plan while not specifically referencing Total Sports Experience. "They just don't take it seriously because it won't happen to me, it won't happen to my kid, it won't happen to my team. And you know what? If it can happen to my boy it can happen to anybody."
You can learn more about the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation here: www.la12.org.
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