Concussion Protocol for Athletes

September 29, 2022September 30, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ 1 Comment

I was reminded recently of a new law created a few years ago proposing a concussion protocol or code of conduct to protect athletes. Rowan’s law was established here in Ontario, Canada after she (Rowan Stringer) died in 2013 due to injuries sustained from several concussions while playing rugby. She was just 17 at the time.

Rowan’s Law for Concussion Protocol

Rowan’s Law requires:

that all coaches and team trainers review the government-approved Concussion Awareness Resources every year before serving in a sport organization or at a school. The legislation applies to sport organizations (as defined under the Act), which could include: public and private sport clubs. post-secondary institutions. municipalities throughout Ontario. Rowan’s Law is applicable to 65 sports in Ontario as well as educational institutions. In summary; From July 1 2019, all sports must have in place Concussion Code of Conducts for players/parents and coaches/trainers.
Coaches Association of Ontario

Second Impact Syndrome, AKA Repetitive Head Injury Syndrome

Second Impact Syndrome or Repetitive Head Injury Syndrome is defined as:

Second impact syndrome (SIS), also known as repetitive head injury syndrome, describes a condition in which individual experiences a second head injury before complete recovery from an initial head injury.
National Library of Medicine

This SIS is actually what Rowan Stringer died from. Two concussion-worthy hits within a short time frame (five days) while playing high school rugby. Apparently, she did not share her symptoms with either her parents or her coaching staff. She just wanted to play. Unfortunately, this is much too common amongst ambitious, talented athletes. At what point do the athletes themselves get to decide if they are “OK” or not? Especially those under the age of eighteen like Rowan was. Incredibly, her parents turned their anguish and grief into some progress in this area with the creation of Rowan’s Law.

Miami Dolphins Upset Buffalo Bills

Professional sports teams have concussion protocols in place, at least they are supposed to. How strict they are is suspicious. If you were watching the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills last weekend, you know what I mean. Miami’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa sustained injuries causing him to stumble repeatedly after the play. Although his injuries appeared to be concussion-related, he was quick to tell everyone the injury was to his back:

“On the quarterback sneak, I kind of got my legs caught under someone and then they were trying to push back and then kind of felt like I hyperextended my back or something,” Tagovailoa said after Sunday’s game, per All Dolphins. “And then on the next play I kind of hit my back and then I got back up and then that’s kind of like why I stumbled. My back kind of locked up on me. But for the most part, you know, I’m good, past whatever concussion protocol they had.”
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins QB

The NFLPA (NFL players association) is investigating Tua’s results of Miami’s concussion protocol that was passed quickly enough for Tua to return to the game to close out the unexpected win, handing the Bills their first loss of the season.

Conclusions for Concussion Protocols

As a hockey and soccer mom, I know concussion protocols have been in place for years. On some teams. of course, there is always room for improvement.

Hopefully, Rowan’s Law and stricter concussion protocols on all teams will educate players, parents, and coaches/trainers/team owners about the dangers of playing at all costs.

As well, Dolphin fans are hopeful that Tua did indeed pass Miami’s concussion protocol and his injuries won’t prevent him from playing tonight’s game.

Update on Tua

Ironically, Tua was stretchered off the field during the game last night, a mere few hours after I posted this article about concussions. For what? Concussion-like injuries after another hit. Coincidence? I think not. Is this another case of Second Impact Syndrome?

For Tua’s sake, not to mention Miami Dolphin management and coaching staff, I hope not!

Habs Fans Boo Stutzle in Ottawa

April 24, 2022April 25, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ 1 Comment

I’m wondering why Habs fans felt the need to be so disrespectful and tacky when playing the Senators in Ottawa last night.

The loud booing by the considerable number of Habs fans every time Senator’s superstar Tim Stutzle touched the puck was annoying and disrespectful. The booing was a result of Habs’ Brendan Gallagher’s comments after the last time the two teams met. Basically, Gallagher alleged that Stutzle fakes injuries to draw penalties. Ironically, I saw a statistic today that showed Gallagher and Stutzle have the same number of diving/embellishment penalties, meaning Gallagher’s criticism is the pot calling the kettle black, so to speak.

The penalty in question was a dirty, potentially career-ending knee-on-knee hit delivered by Nick Suzuki. Stutzle did lie on the ice after the hit but recovered sufficiently to continue his shift. He did miss two subsequent games due to the injury though. Who remembers way back at the beginning of Sidney Crosby’s illustrious NHL career when Don Cherry ragged on Crosby for his “turtle” reaction that drew penalties? I do, I bet Crosby does too. He appeared to learn from that criticism; perhaps Stutzle will learn something from Gallagher’s comment and the booing fans. Stutzle’s obvious talent will draw enough hits from frustrated opposing players, he does not want to encourage more.

Ottawa began last night’s game with a touching (and yes, respectful) tribute to the late Guy Lafleur, a hockey legend that led Montreal to most of their Stanley cups. Lafleur never played for the Ottawa Senators, the gesture was to show respect for a Habs hero. To top it off, Senators goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 44 shots on net last night to lead his team to a (nother) win against Montreal.

Habs fans tacky and disrespectful in loss to Senators

Back to the previous game…Suzuki apologized for the hit the next time he met Stutzle in the faceoff circle. Well before Gallagher’s rant and the Senator’s victory.

Now that’s classy on Suzuki’s part.

Habs fans could learn something from both examples of respect and sportsmanship. And lose the tackiness.

Sadio Mané: Sustainable Human

October 1, 2021January 24, 2022 ~ Loreeebee ~ Leave a comment

I recently read this inspirational, heart-warming story on Facebook. It’s a feel-good breath of fresh air on social media. Typically social media is full of negativity with trolls quick to judge and criticize others. Case in point, this story was in response to trolls commenting on the fact that his cell phone is cracked.

Sadio Mané, a Senegalese Soccer Star that plays for the British team in Liverpool, earns approximately 10.2 million dollars a year and has given the world a lesson in modesty after fans spotted him carrying a cracked iPhone.

His response is legendary: “Why would I want 10 Ferraris, 20 diamond watches and two jet planes? What would that do for the world? I starved, I worked in the fields, I played barefoot, and I didn’t go to school. Now I can help people. I prefer to build schools and give poor people food or clothing.

I have built schools [and] a stadium; we provide clothes, shoes, and food for people in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people from a very poor Senegalese region in order to contribute to their family economy.

I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips, and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me,” Mané said.

Who is Sadio Mané?

After reading the story, I researched Mané to see who he is and if the story was true. After all, it is difficult to believe much of the stuff you read on Facebook and other social media accounts.

I am happy to report that indeed he is a very philanthropic athlete, keen on supporting his hometown of Bambali in Senegal that he left behind to become a professional athlete. CNN has this story about a few of his generous projects within his hometown.

It appears that although Mané has physically moved from Senegal, his heart is still very much there with its less fortunate.

The world needs more (humble, modest, grateful, generous) people like Sadio Mané.