If you can’t, you stagger to the sidelines with every intention of getting back on the field before the next first down. Your game is needed out there; and, besides, you know that when one teammate falls, they can all fall. Tension can mount, chemistry can dissipate and problems can arise.

To prevent injuries from affecting your team, you need to know the risks and dangers of returning to the field before you’re fully recovered—especially when the injury involves your head.

In his new book, Head Games: Football’s Concussion Crisis (Drummond Publishing Group, Oct. 2006), Christopher Nowinski, a former Harvard football player, WWE wrestler and the victim of a career-ending head injury, exposes the truth behind football concussions. He talks about many NFL stars, including Troy Aikman, Steve Young and Merril Hoge, whose stellar careers were cut short by head injuries; and he offers insights on how football can be changed to prevent others from suffering the same fate. The book, which is directed toward players, parents and coaches, also explains how to identify a concussion and when it’s safe to return to the field.

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