Mailbag: It’s time to stop ignoring high school football concussions

Re. “Barbato returns to CdM,” (Sept. 24): On Sept. 28, 2001, our 17-year-old grandson, Matthew Colby, died playing football for Costa Mesa High School.

It was determined, after the autopsy and examination of his brain, that he died from an accumulation of concussions, which caused his brain to rupture. He came off the field early in the first half, and films of the game showed he did not have any hits to the head.

We learned later that it is not necessary to be hit in the head to suffer a concussion or experience brain damage. Any severe jolt to the body can cause the brain to crash against the skull and cause injury, especially if there is prior history of concussions, as in Matthew’s case.

Fortunately, death may be rare under these circumstances, but brain damage is not, and neither are long-term effects, including dementia.

It is hard for us to believe that after all these years, and all the stories in the press and on TV, of brain damage to athletes in many sports, including professionals, that a high school student with a history of concussions — three in one year — could possibly be allowed to keep playing, regardless of the precautions as outlined in the article.

By the way, pro football players still suffer concussions, even using state-of-the-art equipment. One of the many things we learned after our grandson died was that you don’t let the player make the decision as to whether he should play.

Of course he is going to say yes. Just like Matthew, he does not want to let his teammates down. That’s why parents, coaches and the school district are there, to guide and protect the student, no matter how much he or she wants to participate.

In the article, the player Sutty Barbato says that in youth football he used to just throw his head in because he didn’t know the consequences.

Why wasn’t he taught about those consequences?

Two quotes from his coach seem particularly important. The first one is, “We cross our fingers every game that he comes out healthy.”

Another important quote is when the defensive coordinator says, “I love this kid as a son. I admire him as much as any young man I’ve coached. When you love and care about someone, you want to make sure they remain healthy.”

That pretty much says it all. Why have to worry at all? Why risk the consequences and have to live with what could happen the rest of your lives?

We are writing this only because we are concerned about Sutty’s life and future health, and don’t want anyone else to go through what we have had to go through.

Please take another hard look at the situation and coach, if you love him “like a son,” please don’t let him play.

Mike and Marti Colby

Costa Mesa