DAVENPORT, Iowa — As the high school football season kicks off, concerns over player safety are at the forefront, especially in light of several recent tragic incidents across the country.
Just in August, at least seven middle and high school football players have died due to injuries sustained during practices or games, according to an NPR report. Among the incidents, a 16-year-old from Alabama succumbed to a brain injury, and a West Virginia teen experienced fatal brain bleeding and swelling during a team practice.
While such deaths are rare, with the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research reporting only 16 fatalities among nearly two million football players nationwide last year, the risk is still present, and local schools are taking proactive steps to protect their athletes.
Pleasant Valley High School and Davenport Central High School are among several local schools making student safety a priority. They've invested in advanced equipment and technologies aimed at reducing the risk of injury. This includes concussion testing platforms and on-field thermometers that measure environmental factors like sun angle and humidity, which can contribute to heat-related illnesses.
Jason Viel, the Director of Athletic Training Services at Rock Valley Physical Therapy, which oversees several school youth sports programs in the area, emphasized the importance of having proper medical care available during practices and games.
"Obviously, there are one-offs, there are bad things that can happen that nobody can help with or prevent, but having proper medical care there is a first step in helping to prevent those," Viel said.
Parents in the Davenport area are also feeling reassured by these measures. Sara Delaere, a parent of three boys involved in the district’s football programs, expressed confidence in the safety initiatives.
"I know that Davenport has also bought special equipment for our high school football team, which as a parent of three boys, two that are playing with the youth program, makes me feel better putting my boys in this program," Delaere said.
In addition to equipment upgrades, Davenport Central is adhering to new practice guidelines that regulate the duration and intensity of workouts, along with specific requirements for protective gear.
"We follow the guidelines as far as how they can practice, how long they can practice, and what they can wear, so that’s a new thing we’re doing this year," Viel said.
As the season progresses, the hope is that these safety measures will help prevent the kind of tragedies that have struck other communities, ensuring that student athletes can enjoy the game with peace of mind.