Head Athletic Trainer Rhoads: 'It Can Get Scary...'

As the football season kicks off, concerns about player safety are growing, particularly after the tragic deaths of at least seven high school football players in the U.S. during the month of August alone.

These incidents, which included one player suffering a fatal head injury during practice and another collapsing from a suspected heat stroke, have heightened the urgency for schools to prioritize safety measures on the field.

At Eastridge High School in Rochester, New York, Head Athletic Trainer Jarret Rhoads has made it his mission to ensure that both coaches and players are fully prepared to handle emergencies. He reflected on the potential dangers associated with the sport:

“It can get scary. It can get scary.”

To mitigate these risks, Rhoads and his team conduct preseason training sessions with the football staff and EMTs, simulating scenarios that might occur during a game.

“We do situations and scenarios that we may see during a football game.”

These drills include teaching coaches how to properly remove equipment from an injured athlete to access airways in case of an emergency, a critical skill that can make a difference in life-threatening situations.

The focus on head injuries, in particular, has evolved significantly since Rhoads began his career in 2003. He emphasizes to his players the importance of recognizing and reporting symptoms of concussions and other head injuries, which are often invisible and subjective.

“Concussions, head injuries, those types of injuries, more than times than not, are very difficult because they’re mostly things we can’t see or feel right."

Dr. Kate Grant, a Sports Medicine Physician with Rochester Regional Health, echoed these concerns, noting that an estimated two to three million concussions occur nationally every year, with many going unreported.

“The younger you are, the higher risk you tend to be. Preseason sometimes is a little bit rough for kids, especially if they have not been doing anything all summer.”

This lack of preparation can lead to a "perfect storm" of potential injuries, including head injuries.

In addition to training, Rhoads also ensures that the team stays up to date with the latest sports equipment, which is certified before each season to provide the best possible protection during gameplay.

Both Rhoads and Dr. Grant agree that awareness, preparation, and communication are key to keeping young athletes safe on the field as the new football season begins. Check out their full story here!