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\u201cYou typically get the testimony after someone has made their way to the other side of healing. Well, I’m right in the midst of it all, and now serve as my own shelter from the storm.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. What did you know about concussions while playing youth sports?<\/strong> I also remember my brother taking a hit on the sideline during a preseason youth game. I jumped the ramp and ran onto the field because I immediately knew what happened. A concussion ended his playing career. He was probably a bigger football fan than me so to see him call it quits weighed on my spirit for a while. He didn\u2019t have the same enthusiasm for the game after that.<\/p>\n 2. You suffered two concussions this past season that led to Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). What was that experience like?\u00a0<\/strong> The number one priority should be player safety. Every level of football should be intentional about enacting player safety measures. I can relate from personal experience. I suffered two concussions in back-to-back games, where the second could\u2019ve been avoided had I healed fully before returning to play. I was told I cleared protocol without a concussion, so I was unsure why I didn\u2019t feel normal. I voiced my emotional distress as my anxiety intensified. I soon learned that this injury isn\u2019t understood by many in the profession. There is still a lack of education from all involved including players. You can\u2019t suppress and fight your way through a brain injury. You will be forced to surrender as your body heals. I now tell myself every day, \u201cQuality of life is more important than job security.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. How did things progress from the first concussion to the second? Did you experience any symptoms?<\/strong> 4. How has your PCS affected relationships with teammates, friends, family, and people close to you?<\/strong> 5. People often say athletes know what they sign up for in regard to concussion awareness. Do you think athletes are aware of the impact concussions can have, especially if not treated properly?<\/strong> <\/p>\n
\nI didn\u2019t know what a concussion was until I suffered one in 10th grade. My coaches at the time weren\u2019t educated on the impact of head injuries; I learned through trial and error. A goal line stop that put our team in position to win became a stale joke from my head coach: \u201cDon\u2019t knock yourself out again!\u201d Having complete disregard for my body as a defender was praised. My senior year superlative was, \u201cMost likely to give someone whiplash.\u201d I figured it was a part of the game and came with the territory. \u201cYou\u2019re either the hammer or the nail\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\nConcussions are unfortunately a part of the game, but they aren\u2019t always reported as such. There is more research being done to remove the head from the tackle and protect the defenseless player. You see guys now wearing neck collars, and some teams requiring Guardian Caps over helmets during practice. It\u2019s a pretty nuanced topic in my opinion. Players playing through concussions is also a prevalent part of football culture. We all saw the situation with Tua Tagovailoa and what was blatantly apparent as negligence. There is neglect within the current concussion protocol across the board. As a professional athlete we are conditioned to focus on the main thing no matter what, which is our job security. There\u2019s a quote I\u2019ve heard my entire career from coaches: “The best ability is availability.” This is the same mentality carried by athletes who play through injuries. You can\u2019t secure a job if you\u2019re not available to perform.<\/p>\n
\nAfter the first hit my body went limp from the neck down. I was able to get up after a few seconds and stumbled a bit looking to see if anyone saw from the sideline. That’s when the referee pulled me from the game to be checked for a concussion. I was told I cleared protocol and was allowed to return to the field. I suddenly was no longer able to manage emotions as my anxiety spiraled downward from there. The game ended and my frustration was at an all-time high. A week later I lost consciousness on impact during a second hit and couldn\u2019t remember anything as I walked out of the medical tent. Chronic headaches, light sensitivity, and brain fog were symptoms that lasted long enough for my team to place me on IR for the remainder of the season. I had to completely detach from my normal life and start from scratch in my recovery.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/concussionandcte.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Dartez-Jacobs-jersey.jpg.webp\")
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\nThere is a sense of loneliness dealing with PCS because it removes you from your normal headspace. It\u2019s an invisible weight I carried on my shoulders daily. My dreams were sinister, so nightfall brought immense anxiety. I became emotionally dysregulated and drifted in survivor mode. Thankfully my faith has kept me upright. As self-sufficient as I am, I\u2019m not afraid to ask for help when I’ve done all I can on my own. The relationships with my family and teammates have kept me levelheaded during this time. It\u2019s very easy to slip into depression when you thrive in solitude. I made the necessary adjustments and stuck around people who cared about me. There is truth in the saying, \u201cThe lone wolf dies.\u201d You can\u2019t get through this alone without a solid community around you.<\/p>\n
\nAthletes don\u2019t always think about it, but we take the risk every time we step on the field. We all expect to be treated properly and it doesn\u2019t always happen post-concussion. Everything is reactive instead of proactive. Player safety isn\u2019t seriously considered until someone\u2019s pockets are hurt, life threatening injuries occur, or a player dies. I always say it\u2019s the responsibility of those involved to make yourself aware of the risks you take playing this game. Nobody ever thinks it can happen to them until it does.<\/p>\n