Last week a junior varsity high school football player at Montclair High School tragically passed away from a brain hemorrhage after making a tackle. The player had returned to play after sustaining a concussion several weeks earlier during practice.

A concussion is a brain injury and needs to be taken seriously. All of the following relationships help to keep our athletes safe: parents, doctors, teachers, coaches, friends, administrators, athletic trainers, school nurses and fellow athletes. Each of these plays an important role in helping the athlete prevent and treat concussion.

The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey has been instrumental in providing a statewide campaign on sports concussion that provides resources to individuals committed to the safety of our young athletes. This initiative is being led by a group of professionals including doctors, trainers and neuropsychologists.

Concussion is a jolt or blow to the brain that can disrupt the normal function of the brain. Typically they result in immediate and short-term impairment of neurological function. When someone sustains a concussion, often they do not lose consciousness. Physical symptoms of concussion include headache, dizziness, nausea, poor coordination, fatigue and sensitivity to bright light and loud noise. Cognitive symptoms include a hard time concentrating, trouble remembering, being mentally "foggy," confusion and a slowed reaction time.

The Association’s goal is to support and advocate for individuals affected by brain injury and raise public awareness through education and prevention. For more information about this issue, please visit www.bianj.org or www.sportsconcussion.com.