Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury

Championship Women Players Campaign Against Heading by Children

Heading is the leading cause of concussions in soccer. Players from the USA women’s soccer team that won the 1999 World Cup are speaking out to make heading illegal by children under 14. An increase in the allowable age won’t eliminate the problem (brain injury can still occur after age 14), but it will significantly reduce brain injuries. A child’s brain is especially at risk because it is still developing. The women players are trying to bring awareness of the seriousness of “seeing stars” after heading the ball. Cindy Parlow Cone, who suffers headaches and fatigue possibly from her many headers, says, “I didn’t know that (about the dangers of heading) growing up. No one really did. The knowledge just wasn’t out there back then. But now there’s no excuse. We need to do better for our kids.” (Full story)