Local Doctor Encourages Student Athletes to Play Smart and Safe After Two Severe Injuries

(KNSI) — Two recent catastrophic injuries under the Friday night lights have some parents wondering if playing sports is safe for kids.

A freshman football player at Bloomington Jefferson High School was paralyzed during a game on September 2nd after suffering a neck injury. One week later, a player for Brainerd High School suffered a severe head injury that knocked him unconscious, causing him to slip into a coma.

CentraCare Health Sports Medicine Physician Dr. George Morris says there are always risks in athletics but overall, participating in sports is safe.

“These are both tragic injuries for for young men, and other ones in the past for young women. We know that when it hits our young population, high school age specifically and even college, it is a big factor. We want people to be active. Team sports are a great opportunity for people to grow and obviously stay healthy.”

He says some things can be done to make sports like football safer.

“Proper equipment and training is very important. Make sure your helmet fits right and make sure you have the right shoulder pads. I would look at your equipment and then I’d be looking at training.”

While football is getting the most attention for severe head and neck injuries, Dr. Morris says students playing almost any sport can be injured, but the benefits outweigh the risks.

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