Football and brain injury

Learn about the risks of brain damage from youth tackle football, and what can be done to protect our young athletes. Dr. Robbins launched a public awareness campaign in December 2012 to warn people that despite the sport's many benefits, we are increasingly learning about the headaches, memory problems, and other health impacts being inflicted on young people by tackle football.

Dr. Robbins supports Illinois bill restricting tackling
2/13/13 – State Rep. Carol Sente introduced a bill in the Illinois General Assembly to restrict school football tackling during practice, after Dr. Robbins approached her and discussed risks of brain damage. Dr. Robbins later spoke at a public hearing on the bill, and testified about it before a legislative committee. Although the bill was not initially passed into law, Dr. Robbins and Rep. Sente plan on continuing their push to pass the legislation.
Read a Chicago Tribune story about the football bill that quotes Dr. Robbins
Read a Pioneer Press story about the football bill that quotes Dr. Robbins
Read House Bill 1205

Dr. Robbins endorses ban on youth football
12/6/12 – The Real Clear Sports website published an opinion letter by Dr. Robbins calling for the elimination of tackle football under age 18. The letter discusses the medical problems that can result not only from repeated concussions, but also from repeated head blows that don’t cause obvious concussion symptoms. Read the letter

Studies raise concerns about repeated head blows from tackle football.
* February 2012 – A Purdue University study of high school football players suggests that concussions are likely caused by many hits over time. Read the news release
* October 2011 – A University of Michigan study of adolescent athletes documented a large number of head impacts, raising questions about ways to best minimize impacts and mitigate cognitive decline. Download the study

Traumatic brain injuries on the rise in U.S.
5/1/13 – A scholarly medical journal article co-authored by Dr. Robbins offers info to help clinicians respond to these brain injuries. Read the article