COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew announced today that the Crew Soccer Foundation has launched an educational concussion awareness video supporting the state of Ohio’s recently implemented Return-to-Play Concussion Law. The video – featuring Crew midfielder Ethan Finlay, defender Josh Williams and local Ohio student-athletes – encourages peer-to-peer education and support regarding proper diagnosis prior to returning to physical activity.
“When we think about some of the major issues in soccer, player safety – and specifically concussion awareness – is an important topic in our sport at the moment,” said Crew President and General Manager Mark McCullers. “In support of the Return-to-Play Law in Ohio, the Crew Soccer Foundation’s efforts in this video will reinforce the message that proper education is a crucial part of teaching and enjoying the beautiful game.”
According to the Return-to-Play Law in Ohio, schools are prohibited from allowing a student to practice or compete in interscholastic athletics until the student has submitted a signed form stating that the student's parent, guardian or other person having care or charge of the student has received a concussion and head injury information sheet created by the Department of Health. Additionally, coaches and referees are required to remove a student athlete exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury from practice or competition – prohibiting an athlete from returning to play on the same day he or she is injured and requiring the student to later be cleared by a physician.
Furthermore, individuals who wish to coach or referee in a youth sports organization will be required to successfully complete, every three years, a free online training program in recognizing the symptoms of concussions and head injuries provided by the Ohio Department of Health or hold a Pupil Activity Permit from the Ohio Department of Education for coaching interscholastic sports.
More information about Ohio’s Return-to-Play Law – including frequently asked concussion questions, resources, what parents/coaches/referees need to know, and more – can be found on the Ohio Department of Health’s “Healthy Ohio” concussion page at http://www.healthyohioprogram.org/concussion.
The Black & Gold travel to Sporting Park to face Sporting Kansas City this weekend on Saturday, September 7 (8:30 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio).
