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Monday, August 26, 2013

Sports Fatalities

Deaths in high school sports are quite a controversial topic. According to a 2011 football injury research update, there had been 678 deaths from 1931-2011 connected directly to high school football. Alongside that, there have been another 484 fatalities tied indirectly to the high school sport. With the sport being safer than it was in 1931, the death rate has been at a decline, at least in some ways. Most studies show that over 10 people per year are killed playing football at the high school and college levels combined.

As of August 20, 2013, there had already been four football-related deaths in high schools throughout the United States this season, according to NBC News. The most recent fatality was a 16 year-old cornerback from Georgia. During a scrimmage two weeks ago, he broke on a passing play to the opposing team’s tight end and as he made the tackle his body became limp, said the opponent’s head coach after the game. It is said that the victim of this fatal injury to his neck, DeAntre Turman, was a third-year varsity football player, and already had a scholarship to the University of Kentucky.

Turman’s coach said he made a clean, textbook tackle, so it was expected to prevent injury rather than inflict it. Aside from Turman, the other three deaths this summer were from heat (2) and unknown heart problems (1). Being a fan of football myself, I think it is safe to say that with further studies and game plans against the heat, this death rate should continue to decline.

- Isaiah Addair

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