Player Safety in College Football: Concussions and Recovery

The University of Iowa played the University of Northern Iowa on September  15th.  Sophomore #1 running back Damon Bullock took a blow to the head in the first half.  He left the game and did not return.  Iowa had a bye week at the beginning of October.  Bullock didn't get cleared for play, until the week of October 8th.  He is expected to play on Saturday, when Iowa travels to play #24 Michigan State in East Lansing, nearly a month later.

On Thursday, October 4th, USC traveled to Utah to play the Utes in Pac 12 play.  In the first half junior WR Robert Woods of USC took a blow to the head on a punt.  He left the field, after nearly collapsing.  He returned a play later, as ESPN reported.

The Tony Barnhart Show highlighted concussion awareness for last week's show prior to the Woods incident.  This week's show highlighted concerns over USC coach Lane Kiffin's comments, after Woods continued to play, after taking a blow to the head.

Both Tony Barnhart of CBS Sports and ESPN voiced concerns over Woods return in the ball game.  Watching the game, we would agree his return appeared to be premature.

IT'S OUT OF THE QUESTION: Was USC coach Lane Kiffin using his brain about Robert Woods injury? Link to Tom Hoffarth, columnist on the subject.

The issue of concussions in football is very serious at all levels of the sport.  Head injuries in all sports, both women's and men's, is getting more attention throughout the nation over the past year.