Coaches Drop Ball With Concussions

Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer and his quarterback Tim Tebow have a relationship that extends well beyond football. Their bond has been well-documented and has played out on a national stage for four years.

That's why I was shocked to see Tebow take the field last Saturday against LSU. 

Two weeks after suffering a concussion on a hellish hit by Kentucky defensive end Taylor Wyndham, Tebow was cleared to play by Florida doctors just hours before kickoff against the number four ranked Tigers.

Although Tebow was cleared, the decision ultimately fell on Meyer's shoulders and, unfortunately, he made the wrong one. By playing Tebow, Meyer put his star at risk for further injury to his brain and set an atrocious example for young Tebow fans as well as their coaches.

With his quarterback at a great risk of suffering a second concussion, Meyer did not shy away from using Tebow in the running game. In fact, Tebow appeared to be his usual, battering-ram self, running and lowering his shoulder against LSU's defense 17 times, undoubtedly making Gator Nation cringe with each hit.

The most cringe-worthy moment came about mid-way through the first quarter as Tebow ran left and left his feet to gain extra yardage. While in the air, his legs were grabbed by LSU defender Patrick Peterson as Tebow fell head-first, his facemask violently slamming against the turf. The hit was disturbingly captured and featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Even with two minutes remaining against LSU and with a 10-point lead, Tebow was still running his trademark quarterback dives directly into the teeth of the Tiger defense.

In his second game back from the concussion, Tebow ran the ball 27 times for 69 yards against Arkansas as Florida narrowly avoided an upset. Once again, Tebow was running head-first into contact late in the game with the Gators already within field goal range rather than handing off to speedster Jeff Demps.

In another case of concussion mismanagement, Michigan head coach started his freshman quarterback Tate Forcier yesterday against Delaware State just one week after suffering a concussion.

While Forcier only played one offensive possession, having him on the field so soon after a concussion, especially against an FCS opponent that the Wolverines beat 63-6, was an irresponsible decision by Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Delaware State quarterback Anthony Glaud sat out one week after suffering a concussion. 

Perhaps the most tragic example of taking the field too soon after a concussion came just last year in Montclair, NJ.

Montclair High School junior linebacker Ryne Dougherty died after a game last October after suffering a concussion just weeks after he had suffered one in practice. Doctors believe Dougherty was not given enough time to recover and returned to football far too soon.

A concussion is not like an ankle or shoulder injury. It affects the brain, the most important organ in the body that determines who we are as human beings. No amount of rest is too long and it is always better to err on the side of caution.

Unfortunately, football is too often viewed as something more important than it is because a game is not as important as a young athlete's life.