BIAA Responds to Trump’s Disregard for Concussion Protocol
October 12, 2016
Vienna, Virginia – GOP Presidential Nominee Donald J. Trump was critical of concussion rules at a campaign event in Lakeland, Florida on Oct. 12, going so far as to suggest to his audience that those who sustain concussions are weak.
A woman fainted during the two-hour rally, and Trump took notice. “That woman was out cold, and now she’s coming back!” Trump announced to the crowd. “We don’t go by these new – and very much softer – NFL rules. Concussions ‘Oh, you’ve got a little ding on the head. No, no, you can’t play for the rest of the season.’ Our people are tough.”
In addition to the NFL, every state in the country has adopted some form of concussion protocol legislation aimed at protecting student athletes. A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
“No brain injury is too mild to ignore or too severe to lose hope, but all brain injuries – including concussions – should be taken seriously.” remarked Susan H. Connors, president and chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of America. “As the nation’s oldest and largest brain injury advocacy organization, BIAA is disappointed in Mr. Trump’s ridicule of the NFL’s concussion protocols and especially of his connotation that those who sustain a concussion are weak.”
It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans sustain a brain injury each year. For more information about brain injury and concussion, please refer to the Brain Injury Association of America’s Concussion Information Center at biausa.org/concussion.
