"College Athletes Move Concussions Into the Courtroom"

(Derek Owens of Central Arkansas)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/sports/ncaafootball/college-players-move-concussions-issue-into-the-courtroom.html?_r=1&hp



     This article, by George Vecsey, explains how Derek Owens was hit after receiving a punt during a game.  He was hit so hard that he received a concussion.  Despite this, he immediately got up and headed to the sidelines.  Vecsey didn't just "get his bell rung" but actually he will unfortunately never be allowed to play a contact sport again.  Before all of Vecsey's concussions he was a three-sport athlete who got A's.  After, his grades fell drastically and he had much trouble with memorization.  The article also discussed a suit filed in the US District Court which represents Owens and a few other players.  Many people, including NFL players claim that the college leagues were negligent in handling brain trauma.  The suit has grown to include concussions in sports other than football.  I hope that the league will do something to eradicate dangerous hits.  I like football a lot and it is always entertaining to see a big hit, yet many athletes are getting hurt and in many cases it is ending their careers.
     The author appealed to the emotions of his readers by discussing Owens and how his football hopes were dashed by these concussions and the league has done little to help.  Like me, I am sure many of the people who read this article felt bad for Owens and the other athletes discussed.  It convinced me that the rules must be amended.  Football can still be violent, which is what fans want, but that doesn't mean people have to get hurt.