In an exclusive interview with ESPN980 in Washington, DC, Derek Sheely’s father, Ken Sheely, alerted parents to what they need to know about concussions. During a segment of The Sports Reporters with Andy Pollin and Steve Czaban, Ken discussed Derek’s accident and the alarming rate of concussions in youth sports – 3.8 million each year. He also warned parents that “concussion” is a watered-down term for brain injury, and that they occur in all sports not just football. Ken encouraged parents to make informed decisions by becoming aware of the signs, symptoms, and dangers of concussions, including the fatal but preventable Second Impact Syndrome, which is when you sustain a second concussion before you recover from the first concussion. He informed parents that most concussions occur in practice, and that many concussions go unreported because athletes either don’t know what a concussion feels like, or they want to hide it and keep playing.
THE DEREK SHEELY FOUNDATION is committed to leading the way in raising awareness about the signs, symptoms, dangers, and prevention of concussions. We must break down the stigma of reporting concussions. The June 7, 2012 ESPN interview can be heard here, and it starts at the nine minute-ten second mark.
