Former Bear to push for concussion prevention, education

SPRINGFIELD — Former Chicago Bear and 1985 Super Bowl champion Kurt Becker will head to Springfield Wednesday to testify in favor of legislation promoting concussion education and regulations for student-athletes.

The former offensive lineman is pushing for concussion prevention measures less than a week after his Super Bowl teammate Dave Duerson committed suicide. Duerson reportedly requested his brain be donated for medical study of traumatic brain injury.

Becker, an Aurora native, played in 94 NFL games, but never started. He played in only three games during the Bears’ Super Bowl run.

The NFL has started to develop rules and guidelines to try and protect players from concussions and limit the damage, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross said it is important high schools follow suit.

The Oswego Republican, who sponsors the legislation, said it is important students and their parents know the risks of concussions and for coaches to move cautiously with players who suffer head trauma.

“We need to address an issue that’s become a bigger problem than we knew,” Cross said earlier this month. “The more education and awareness out there, the better chance of preventing it.”