Brain Injury Lawyer

I would like to bring your attention back to an earlier post if I may.

In February I posted a statement issued by the United States Soccer Federation's, Sports Medicine Committee. The Committee's statement was issued in response to inquiries received from Federation members regarding the appropriateness and permissibility of headgear in soccer.

The Sports Medicine Committee submitted a report on headgear to the Federation's board of directors and then shared its report here.

Upon reading the report, I thought that the readers of this blog would find the Committee's statement important. The Committee stated that after reviewing scientific literature relating to head injuries in soccer and the safety benefits of padded headgear, it concluded there is no evidence that wearing headgear is beneficial to players. Further, the Committee expressed its concern that the use of padded headgear might actually lead to more injuries.

After I posted this entry I thought that was the end of the discussion. I am pleasantly surprised to say that it is not. I recently received an email from Patrick Fisher, who a few years back helped form a company called Full90 Sports Inc.

Question 1: Can you guess what Full90 Sports manufactures? If you said padded headgear, you'd be right on the money.

Question 2: Why do you think Patrick contacted me? If you guessed that it was because Patrick disagrees with the Committee's statement on head gear, you would be correct.

I am a firm believer in allowing each side their fair say, and as such, at Patrick's request I would like to share with you Full90's Response To USSF's Position Statement Regarding Soccer Headgear (PDF) as well as a letter (PDF) from Dr. Steven Poceta, a Neurologist with Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California which also disagrees with the Committee's statement.

There it is. All the information I have on this subject I now leave in your hands. It is up to you to draw your own conclusions as To Wear Headgear or Not To Wear Headgear when playing soccer.

Is this the end of this discussion? I for one certainly hope not. I hope a Committee member or a U.S. Soccer Federation Director will reach out and respond.

Do you wear or not wear headgear when you play soccer? Post a comment and let others know why.

I wear the headguard, only because my friend has his career cut short after a severe impact with another players head. I'd like to play the game as long as possible, and consider it cheap insurance.. no different than shin guards.

As a dad I'm going to get my kids headgear. They already wear it for skiing and kayaking. I always wore it for kayaking, not skiing until, unfortunately I had a "minor closed head injury" skiing in powder no less which I have spent the last five years and 10's of thousands of dollars recovering from. People don't seem to understand that for one in ten people "a concussion" isn't a joke but rather is a life changing experience. Do you really want a header gone bad to change your life, or your kid's life, forever?

On May 15th 2004 my son nearly died from an Epidural Bleed that was caused by a collision on the soccer field. Thanks to the excellent work of the Denton, TX Fire Department to have him air lifted to Cook Children's because of the symptoms he had it made all the difference in the outcome of his injury. He underwent surgery to remove the blood clot, the size of the surgeon's fist, and to stop the bleeding. Miraculously, he was discharged 3 days later and is a normal 10 year old. He returned to the soccer field in August wearing the Full90 Headguard. His 6 year old sister wears one also and it prevented her head from striking the goal post when she ran into it the first game of the season last fall.

The USSF is sticking their heads in the sand and it will take legislation to make them pull it out.

We have some "hardcore soccer
warrior" parents who think it is not macho to wear the headgear. I am
not so sure I know what is macho about a head injury. My son, Reed, is a very aggressive player who plays defense and is expected to use his head to clear the
ball. I would like my son to still have some brain cells remaining for college after his soccer career has ended.

As a player, coach & referee, I have seen first hand the various injuries from soccer. Last year we had two players in our league receive head injuries, that could have been less severe had they wore the Full90 head guard. Just like shin guards it won't eliminate serious injuries, but it most cases it will lessen the impact and severity of the collision.

I too believe that USSF is avoiding the "M" word and will only mandate it when FIFA decides to put it in the Laws of the Game.

Until then, we as parents should do what we can to give our kids the added safety the head guard provides. The Full90 headguard is a well designed product and having dealt with their company, I truly believe they have the best interest of the players in mind.