Concussions and Sports: Introduction

While it has become clear that concussion is a serious problem in football and other sports, it is not clear how best to respond to the problem. When athletes suffer concussions — or injuries that might be a concussion — what steps should be taken? More importantly, has the response to concussion focused too much on management of concussive injury and not enough on prevention of harm? This article provides an introduction to a symposium that sheds light on a number of questions about concussions and sports, from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. The papers inform our understanding about the adoption, implementation, and effectiveness of state statutes and other policies designed to reduce the harm from concussions. Ultimately, we must ask whether some sports are so dangerous that they should no longer be played. It is one thing to assume risks to health when there are meaningful benefits to be gained. But there are many ways to exercise, develop teamwork skills, or gain the other benefits of competitive athletics without playing football or other sports that lead to concussion. Ultimately, the social value of violent sports seems to rest heavily on the entertainment they offer to spectators. And that should lead us to ask whether there is any legitimate role for the levels of physical violence that we tolerate in sport