(NewsNation) — Football is back. But with Friday Night Lights comes increased scrutiny on the safety of players, including their risk of concussion and developing CTE, the degenerative brain disease caused by repeated hits to the head.
A 2017 study found that more than 87% of football players tested across all levels — high school, college, and pros — were positive for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
Because less than 0.03 percent of high school athletes make it to the NFL, doctors want to protect against unnecessary risks.
They say the best strategies for parents are to monitor the jarring hits that young players take, to know the symptoms to watch out for, and to see a specialist, if necessary, before it’s too late.
“Their brains are still drastically growing over time, whereas an adult brain is done changing,” says concussion specialist Dr. Mark Bezzek. “With children, you’re more apt to see more severe symptoms than you are with adults.”
Symptoms of serious head trauma include panic attacks, anxiety, depression and impulsivity.
Robert Cantu of the Cantu Concussion Center says athletes who suspect they have CTE should see a health professional that specializes in treating repetitive head trauma.
The issue of CTE resurfaced this week after gunman Shane Tamura opened fire at a Manhattan office building that houses NFL headquarters and killed four people, including a police officer.
Tamura, a former high school football player from Las Vegas, killed himself at the scene. Authorities say he left behind suicide notes saying he had a brain injury and blamed the NFL.