Former Bear raises concussion awareness

SPRINGFIELD — Concussion education and prevention has come a long way since Kurt Becker was a player on the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears in 1986.

Becker, a former offensive lineman and nine-year NFL veteran, was in Springfield Wednesday to promote legislation that would require high schools to educate student-athletes and their parents on the dangers of concussions and enforce strict guidelines for high schools to follow when an athlete suffers one.

Becker, an Aurora native who now coaches football at Marmion Academy there, said the Illinois High School Association and sports at all levels have done a much better job of treating concussions as serious injuries compared to his playing days.

“Back then we were somewhat in the dark ages about it,” Becker said. “We just continued to play ... that was our machoism. ... There was no one there to say ‘Well wait a minute, you better take some time off this might be bad for you.’”

Now, high schools have strict guidelines in place that require all players to be cleared by medical professionals before returning to practice or competition and game officials and athletic trainers can remove an athlete from a competition if they believe the athlete suffered a concussion.

IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman said House Republican Leader Tom Cross’ legislation is additional enforcement to current policies, so the measure will come at no cost to schools or the state.

Cross, of Oswego, said his proposal is a first step to raise awareness about the dangers of concussions and he would like to eventually expand the guidelines to park districts and youth sports, which Hickman supported.

“You’re not immune from concussions because you’re participating in a park league program,” Hickman said.

Oswego High School Athletic Director Steve McInerney said his school follows the IHSA policies on concussions closely, using techniques such as impact testing — which examines an athlete’s cognitive skills and reaction time — before clearing anyone to play.

McInerney, who is also an athletic trainer, said the long-term effects of concussions are very real and each case needs to be taken seriously.

“Concussions are the most underreported injury and they happen all the time... Now we’re raising the level of awareness,” he said. “Those (long-term effects) are being studied in Boston right now, especially with the recent tragedy.”

That tragedy was the suicide of Becker’s Super Bowl teammate Dave Duerson last week. Duerson believed he may have been suffering from the effects of multiple concussions and he donated his brain for scientific testing.

Becker stressed no matter how educated and aware athletes become about concussions, there will always be a danger in contact sports.

“Football is a tough sport for tough kids and I always say that,” Becker said. “You have to realize there are inherit risks when you play the game. It’s a contact sport and that’s how it goes.”