Taylor Twellman's Story Highlights How Far Concussion Management Has Come

Former Major League Soccer MVP Taylor Twellman has become one of sports' strongest advocates for concussion awareness, using his own experience to highlight how much concussion management has evolved over the past two decades.

Twellman suffered eight documented concussions during his soccer career, seven of which knocked him unconscious. Ironically, the concussion that ended his career in 2008 didn't knock him out at all.

After taking a goalkeeper's fist to the head during a match, Twellman scored a goal, celebrated, and continued playing for another eight weeks.

"I wish somebody had pulled me off that field," Twellman said. "I wish somebody had said, 'You're done.' But that's not how it worked back then."

Today, Twellman advocates for stronger protocols at every level of sport because he understands the long-term consequences of returning too soon.

According to sports medicine and concussion specialist Dr. Matthew Apicella, concussion management has shifted dramatically in recent years. The old approach of placing athletes in a dark room for extended periods—sometimes called "cocooning"—has largely been replaced by active recovery strategies.

"We now know that the old protocol… leads to worse outcomes," Dr. Apicella said. "Studies comparing strict bed rest versus active recovery found that the bed rest patients had longer-lasting, more-severe symptoms."

Instead, clinicians now emphasize 24 to 48 hours of relative rest followed by gradual, symptom-limited activity.

Dr. Apicella also stressed the importance of early intervention.

"If you delay treatment past 10 to 14 days, it can affect your outcome for the worse," he said.

For Twellman, the mission is simple: help the next generation avoid repeating past mistakes.

"If you notice something out of the ordinary, speak up," he said. "An injured knee can be replaced. The brain can't."

His story serves as another reminder that while concussion protocols continue to evolve, vigilance, education, and timely intervention remain essential parts of athlete care. Checkout the full story here! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How has concussion management changed over the past decade?

Concussion management has shifted away from prolonged rest toward active recovery, symptom-limited exercise, and earlier reintroduction of activity.

Why is returning to play too soon dangerous?

Returning before symptoms fully resolve can increase the risk of prolonged recovery and rare but serious complications, including second impact syndrome.

What is the current recommendation for concussion recovery?

Most guidelines recommend 24-48 hours of relative rest followed by a gradual, supervised progression back to cognitive and physical activity.

Why is early concussion intervention important?

Studies show delayed evaluation and treatment can contribute to longer recovery times and potentially worsen outcomes.

About Healthy Roster

Healthy Roster is an all-in-one platform built for Athletic Trainers that helps manage injury documentation, communication, concussion care, forms, and continuing education. Athletic Trainers across high schools, colleges, hospitals, and healthcare organizations use Healthy Roster to simplify athlete care and spend more time focused on the people they serve.

Related Topics

Athletic Trainers • Concussion Management • Return-to-Play • Active Recovery • Athlete Safety • Brain Health • Sports Medicine • Sideline Assessments • Concussion Protocols