Every year there are multiple life-altering sports injuries. Among the most devastating injuries that we read about today is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a traumatic, permanent brain injury that results in erratic behaviors that can sometimes be a danger to others around them.
CTE is just a recent discovery. What about all the other life-altering injuries that high school, collegiate, and professional athletes face? The head coach of the Burke football team is no stranger to injury troubles.
“Major injuries I have gotten in sports are total reconstructive knee surgery on my left knee from football,” Coach James Patterson said. “I tore my ACL, MCL, PCL, medial and lateral meniscus along with my patella femoral ligament. So that surgery was intense and was told I would need a total knee replacement by 35, currently 37 and starting to feel that effects.”
One of Burke’s own football players has played through injuries throughout the season. Senior Gavin Finch has played his heart out for the team this season.
“I tore my meniscus two weeks before the start of the season. When I talked to my doctor, he said surgery was not required,” senior football player Gavin Finch said. “After the season, I will figure out if I need surgery. Throughout the season, I have had to wear braces and take ibuprofen. It has helped a little, but the injuries have gotten worse over time due to the physically demanding aspect of football.”
People risk their lives for our entertainment. While protective advancements have been made, sports injuries still remain severe. Questions have been raised as to whether we should have our kids participate in sports at a young age.
“More than 3.5 million kids under the age of 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries annually, according to health.ucdavis.com.” Astounding stats found that “41% of deceased athletes under the age of 30 had signs of CTE, according to bu.edu.”
With the physically demanding aspect being so extreme, how does one stay safe when they’re playing such a physical sport like football? Concern for safety continues to grow among high school athletes who originally wanted to take their game to the collegiate level.
“After I tore my meniscus, I came to the conclusion that I did not want to play college football because I don’t want the long-lasting,” effects Finch said.
