High school football rules in Texas. Players are willing to lay it all on the line. "Kids are bigger, stronger, faster and they hit a lot harder, " said Mike Skinner, player's father. "He would be concentrating on catching the ball, and they'd be concentrated on trying to knock his brains out."
Jake Skinner, suffered concussion. "It's probably the scariest thing that's ever happened to me, to wake up and not know what's happening or why you're so groggy and why you can't remember anything."
That was the worst of four concussions Jake Skinner suffered playing football at Colleyville Heritage High School. Yet, Skinner is okay; brain intact.
A computer test helps prove it. Dr. Low under cognitive test: "A series of words where he's looking at them and he's got to remember them. It's called a word memory session."
Impact is an online screening tool that helps measure the severity of a concussion.
Texas health sports medicine started using it in 2008. More than 80 schools and clubs signed up and have tested 18,000 athletes. "At a very minimal cost to us, it seemed like a very great way to help our athletes. And seeing the experience that Jake had his junior year first hand and he wasn't the only one, it seemed like an exceptional tool," said Elizabeth Heyer Roberts, athletic trainer.
A baseline test establishes neurocognitive function. The test is done again after a concussion to see if there's a change. The results can help determine when it's okay to get back in the game. "So you've got to use your medical judgment as a physician, but the impact test does help with that," said Dr. Damond Blueitt, Texas Sports Medicine.
That extra layer of protection may ultimately help protect against an athlete's own desire to keep playing. It's ultimately why Jake Skinner decided his football days are over. "It's just not worth the risks to me anymore."
