Concussion law on the way in Pennsylvania?
In some ways, 2010 seemed like the year of the concussion. The issue was everywhere, each TV spot and newspaper article catapulting it further and further into our consciousness. Many news outlets, including this one, wrote big stories on sports-related concussions and their possible long-term effects. Don't expect the noise to die down anytime soon, either. The New Yorker published an article in its latest issue questioning whether concussions could threaten the NFL's future. On a more local level, the issue has made its way to the state capitol in Harrisburg. There, pair of state legislators held a press conference in today to re-introduce a measure aimed at helping to manage concussions in high school and youth sports. The Safety in York Sports Act, endorsed by state rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery) and state sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), stipulates that any player showing concussion-like symptoms must be cleared by a medical professional before returning to play, and requires that students and guardians sign a concussion awareness sheet, in order to be better informed about the injury. A version of the bill was actually approved by the Pa. House of Representatives last September by a vote of 169-29. But the bill never came to a vote in the senate before the legislative session ended. Joining the lawmakers at Wednseday's press conference were Joe Browne, senior advisor to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with former Philadelphia Eagles receivers Harold Carmichael and Mike Quick. Eastern York grad and former Steelers fullback Jon Witman planned to attend but couldn't because of the inclement weather. Honestly, it seems like it's only a matter of time until some version of this bill is adopted. What say you? Is a measure like this necessary?