Where Do You Get Your Concussion Education?
As the Owner of The Midwest Concussion Clinic I consistently struggle with the concept that
‘Nobody cares about concussions until something happens.’
I understand that this is a broad assumption, but for the most part – it’s true. Concussions are not something that most people will worry about on a daily basis. Especially if they’re outside of the athletic population.
But why? Where do people learn about concussions? Do they know that concussions are most common for those NOT participating in sports?
Picture this: You are on the famous game show Family Feud and Steve Harvey walks up to you and says ‘Top 4 answers on the board…what is the number 1 cause of concussions?’ Would you know?
Most people will guess sports and it’s definitely on the board, but it’s not number 1… it’s actually number 3.
But why do most people immediately think sports? Even when they’re beyond their competitive sports years.
The easy answer – Sports is where most concussion education comes from!
Watching a football game on Sunday and you hear mention of concussions. This players out. This player has a history of this. “They’re in the blue tent going through concussion protocol.’
Then there’s the kicker (not really the kicker…) – a new commercial comes on where they are touting advancement in concussion prevention with new helmets and research in the padded caps (This is a argument for another time).
But what do you really know about concussions?
If you don’t watch sports – where do you get your information?
Let’s dive into it…
Concussion Education Through Sports
Whether you’re watching football, playing football or just around the game of football – you will hear about concussions. Fans in the stands will discuss them. Parents will be concerned. Players may even downplay their severity.
In some sports cultures – concussions are a taboo subject.
“Don’t say the C-word.”
“Don’t tell anyone your head hurts.”
“Toughen up. You just got your bell rung.”
“Back in my day…”
In 2025 – with the technology, research and education we have concussions – if you’re around a culture that still shares this message, it’s time to find a new place to play sports. Concussions are a traumatic brain injury that can be life threatening if ignored and life changing if not addressed appropriately.
And believe it or not – it’s not just football. It’s all sports!
When it comes to concussion education in sports – the responsibility falls on the ‘adults’ involved. If you’re at a school with an Athletic Trainer – it falls under their responsibility. Some schools will address it in team or parent meets, sometimes it’s a handout and other times it’s mentioned in passing at a pre/post practice huddle.
And we expect athletes to listen…
Realistically – most of the education goes in one ear and out the other
Because…‘Nobody cares about concussions until something happens.’
The main purpose of educating athletes about the common signs and symptoms of a concussion, their severity and how to manage them is so they can protect themselves if something is wrong. Then, hopefully, the can remember it as they navigate through their lives.
Is it realistic to think an athlete will remember everything about concussions – No. It’s not realistic, but that’s what we expect.
We expect an athlete, who often times is coming from a full day of school or practice, to learn about a complex injury, often with no physical signs, to the most complex organ in the body that affects every aspect of their lives. Most medical professionals I know can’t comprehend all of that information let alone a middle schooler who’s more focused on the school dance this Friday.
But what about those individuals who are not getting their concussion education from sports? Where do they learn that concussions are even a real thing?
Concussion Education Through Media
Whether it’s TV shows, movies, theater or social media – you can find concussions referenced throughout all of it!
“They’re going to make it – they just have a concussion.”
“Thankfully, it’s only a concussion.”
“It’s just a concussion – they’ll be fine.”
“They avoided major injuries – it’s just a concussion.”
All of these can be heard – time and time again across all of your favorite medical dramas, love stories and the adult male Soap Opera – Wrestling.
But if I have a whole group of people getting introduced to concussions for the first time – what does that tell them?
Hearing that time and time again, would you think concussions are a big deal? That they can completely change someone’s life?
No. You’d think, like most concussions being portrayed, that they’re no big deal.
Now that they’re introduced the idea of concussions – they have a great chance to educate their viewers, even if it’s just in passing, about the proper precautions to take but instead ‘just go rest.’
Again – I’m not naive enough to think that the writers and producers of a movie should be educated on one of the most common, and complex, injuries across all age groups.
But a little compassion and understanding would be nice.
We can tie media back into sports again as well. Watching a football game on TV and the announcers say ‘they’re in concussion protocol’ but don’t offer what that means.
Many commentators will speculate that ‘he’ll be back next week’ or ‘he’ll be back soon.’ Very rarely do they even entertain the idea that they won’t make it back to the field. Or that their career is over. But if someone tears up their knee, breaks their leg or dislocates a shoulder – and they offer condolences on a speedy recovery and wishful thinking that they will return to the field ‘at some point in the future.’
A chance to educate millions of viewers and raise awareness for an injury common to the game – missed.
But again – it’s not realistic to think that every commentator in every sport can change… but what if they could?
Organizations like the Concussion Legacy Foundation are working with media experts across sports to provide updated education via their CONCUSSION LEGACY FOUNDATION MEDIA PROJECT. You can learn more at the link.
Concussion Education Through Injury
When an injury happens and you’re evaluated in the emergency department – it’s realistic to think you’ll get all of the information available on concussions – right?
Right!? Wrong again.
Most emergency departments are very difficult to get information from. The role of the Emergency Department is ‘You’re alive. Get out.’ Then you’re informed to follow-up with a specialist if things don’t improve.
But what if your discharge paperwork doesn’t mention concussion? What is a ‘closed head injury’ or ‘whiplash.’
How are you supposed to follow-up with someone on an injury you have no clue about?
There are many reasons why you don’t get adequate education on concussions from the emergency department. Primarily, time.
Whether it’s a busy day or night, limitations in staffing, lack of education on concussions or restrictions from administration – it’s difficult to get any education in the emergency department outside of the pre-approved, educational handouts provided at the end of the visit.
Realistically – it’s not their fault.
As you follow-up with your primary care provider – you’re hoping to get education on your condition from them, but what if they’re not up-to-date on concussion information? Or, more likely, they’re going off the diagnoses received from the Emergency Department?
Again, you’re left with more questions than answers.
Concussion Education Opportunities
What’s the answer to this problem?
I don’t know…but I have suggestions.
The biggest challenge with improving concussion education is resources. You have to reach a wide audience (everyone can get a concussion) with appropriate and accurate information when it’s relevant.
My first suggestion is:
Continuing the Concussion Legacy Foundation Media Project
This initiative is the easiest way to continue educating journalists, broadcasters and those with access to a microphone on the importance of concussion education, verbiage and expectations. It’s an effective way to ensure that the future is set with the appropriate information and slowly integrating it into the spotlight.
But it’s not without limitations. Mainly – buy-in.
They’re doing a great job of getting into colleges but what if major companies took notice?
ESPN.
Fox Sports.
ABC.
What if all companies made it mandatory for those involved in sports to undergo this education? That would be incredible, but it’s challenging because their is no direct benefit to them. They don’t make money. They don’t get more viewers. They get 0 direct benefit from using these initiatives.
My next suggestion is:
Adding appropriate concussion education to sports video games, TV shows and movies.
Injuries are a part of most sports video games. ACL tears. Broken Legs. Sprains and Strains. All listed with timelines for recovery.
Throughout the years, concussions have been apart of these games, but often tabbed with unrealistic timelines.
‘Concussion – Doubtful to return.’
There is a great opportunity to accurately reflect the severity of the injury. At a bare minimum – remove ‘Doubtful to Return’ and tag it appropriately ‘OUT.’ At best – provide a realistic timeline for recovery ‘Concussion – Out (undetermined time).’
This takes a whole generation of people and provides them with a basic update on concussion knowledge. It’s a small step but it’s one that can set us up in the right direction.
From TV shows and movies – we need to stop downplaying concussions. Providing education on the severity of the injury and stop stating that characters escaped major injury and just got a concussion. Use the character loop and storyline to provide basic concussion information. Instead of downplaying the injury – use the platform to educate.
My final suggestion:
More patient advocacy stories
People resonate with personal stories. Sharing your injury, your recovery, the ways it’s affected your life and your victories resonate with people we know and complete strangers.
And few things resonate more than celebrities. Athletes. Entertainers. Actresses and Actors.
The more advocacy we can have from those individuals, who’ve been through the recovery themselves or have a friend/family member who has experienced a concussion – the better.
But patient advocacy and success stories don’t stop with famous recoveries.
Sharing your story to social media, community groups and in conversations can continue to shed light on the importance of proper concussion education, care and advocacy.
Social media can be a great tool – if used correctly. If you need a place to share your story – feel free to tag @MWConcussion on all social media platforms and I will celebrate with you.
At the end of the day – concussion education is a complex and ongoing issue. It takes a village to do anything and this is no different.
Just because concussions are invisible, doesn’t mean you have to be.
Check out mwconcussion.com to learn more and start the conversation on concussion education!
As the owner of The Midwest Concussion Clinic, I consistently struggle with the concept that:
“Nobody cares about concussions until something happens.”
I understand that this is a broad assumption, but for the most part, it’s true. Concussions are not something that most people worry about on a daily basis—especially if they’re outside of the athletic population.
But why? Where do people learn about concussions? Do they know that concussions are most common for those not participating in sports?
Picture this: You are on the famous game show Family Feud, and Steve Harvey walks up to you and says, “Top 4 answers on the board… what is the number one cause of concussions?” Would you know?
Most people will guess sports, and it’s definitely on the board—but it’s not number one. It’s actually number three.
But why do most people immediately think sports, even when they’re beyond their competitive sports years?
The easy answer: Sports are where most concussion education comes from.
Watching a football game on Sunday, you might hear mentions of concussions: “This player’s out. This player has a history of this. They’re in the blue tent going through concussion protocol.”
Then there’s the kicker (not really the kicker…)—a new commercial comes on touting advancements in concussion prevention with new helmets and research in padded caps. (This is an argument for another time.)
But what do you really know about concussions?
If you don’t watch sports, where do you get your information?
⸻
Concussion Education Through Sports
Whether you’re watching football, playing football, or just around the game of football, you will hear about concussions. Fans in the stands discuss them. Parents are concerned. Players may even downplay their severity.
In some sports cultures, concussions are a taboo subject:
“Don’t say the C-word.”
“Don’t tell anyone your head hurts.”
“Toughen up. You just got your bell rung.”
“Back in my day…”
In 2025, with the technology, research, and education we have on concussions—if you’re around a culture that still shares this message, it’s time to find a new place to play sports. Concussions are a traumatic brain injury that can be life-threatening if ignored and life-changing if not addressed appropriately.
And believe it or not, it’s not just football. It’s all sports.
When it comes to concussion education in sports, the responsibility falls on the “adults” involved. If you’re at a school with an athletic trainer, it falls under their responsibility. Some schools address it in team or parent meetings, sometimes it’s a handout, and other times it’s mentioned in passing at a pre- or post-practice huddle.
And we expect athletes to listen…
Realistically, most of the education goes in one ear and out the other.
Because… “Nobody cares about concussions until something happens.”
The main purpose of educating athletes about the common signs and symptoms of a concussion, their severity, and how to manage them is so they can protect themselves if something is wrong. Then, hopefully, they can remember it as they navigate through their lives.
Is it realistic to think an athlete will remember everything about concussions? No. It’s not realistic—but that’s what we expect.
We expect an athlete—who is often coming from a full day of school or practice—to learn about a complex injury, often with no physical signs, affecting the most complex organ in the body and every aspect of their lives. Most medical professionals I know can’t comprehend all of that information, let alone a middle schooler who’s more focused on the school dance this Friday.
But what about those individuals who are not getting their concussion education from sports? Where do they learn that concussions are even a real thing?
⸻
Concussion Education Through Media
Whether it’s TV shows, movies, theater, or social media, you can find concussions referenced throughout all of it:
“They’re going to make it—they just have a concussion.”
“Thankfully, it’s only a concussion.”
“It’s just a concussion—they’ll be fine.”
“They avoided major injuries—it’s just a concussion.”
All of these can be heard time and time again across your favorite medical dramas, love stories, and the adult male soap opera—wrestling.
But if I have a whole group of people being introduced to concussions for the first time, what does that tell them?
Hearing that repeatedly, would you think concussions are a big deal? That they can completely change someone’s life?
No. You’d think, like most concussions being portrayed, that they’re no big deal.
Now that they’ve introduced the idea of concussions, they have a great chance to educate their viewers—even if it’s just in passing—about the proper precautions to take. But instead, it’s usually: “Just go rest.”
Again, I’m not naïve enough to think that the writers and producers of a movie should be educated on one of the most common and complex injuries across all age groups.
But a little compassion and understanding would be nice.
We can tie media back into sports as well. Watching a football game on TV, the announcers might say “they’re in concussion protocol” but offer no explanation of what that means.
Many commentators will speculate that “he’ll be back next week” or “he’ll be back soon.” Very rarely do they even entertain the idea that the player might not return to the field—or that their career could be over. But if someone tears their knee, breaks their leg, or dislocates a shoulder, broadcasters offer condolences and talk about recovery timelines.
A chance to educate millions of viewers and raise awareness for an injury common to the game—missed.
Again, it’s not realistic to think that every commentator in every sport can change overnight… but what if they could?
Organizations like the Concussion Legacy Foundation are working with media experts across sports to provide updated education via their Concussion Legacy Foundation Media Project. You can learn more at the link.
⸻
Concussion Education Through Injury
When an injury happens and you’re evaluated in the emergency department, it’s realistic to think you’ll get all the information available on concussions, right?
Right!? Wrong again.
Most emergency departments are very difficult places to get information from. The role of the Emergency Department is: “You’re alive. Get out.” Then you’re informed to follow up with a specialist if things don’t improve.
But what if your discharge paperwork doesn’t mention concussion? What is a “closed head injury” or “whiplash”?
How are you supposed to follow up with someone about an injury you have no clue about?
There are many reasons why you don’t get adequate education on concussions from the emergency department. Primarily, time.
Whether it’s a busy day or night, limitations in staffing, lack of education on concussions, or restrictions from administration—it’s difficult to get meaningful education in the emergency department outside of the pre-approved handouts provided at the end of the visit.
Realistically, it’s not their fault.
As you follow up with your primary care provider, you’re hoping to get education on your condition from them. But what if they’re not up to date on concussion information? Or, more likely, they’re going off the diagnosis received from the emergency department?
Again, you’re left with more questions than answers.
⸻
Concussion Education Opportunities
What’s the answer to this problem?
I don’t know… but I have suggestions.
The biggest challenge with improving concussion education is resources. You have to reach a wide audience (everyone can get a concussion) with appropriate and accurate information when it’s relevant.
⸻
Continuing the Concussion Legacy Foundation Media Project
This initiative is the easiest way to continue educating journalists, broadcasters, and those with access to a microphone on the importance of concussion education, verbiage, and expectations. It’s an effective way to ensure that the future is set with appropriate information and that it’s slowly integrated into the spotlight.
But it’s not without limitations. Mainly—buy-in.
They’re doing a great job of getting into colleges, but what if major companies took notice?
ESPN.
Fox Sports.
ABC.
What if all companies made it mandatory for those involved in sports to undergo this education? That would be incredible. But it’s challenging because there is no direct benefit to them. They don’t make more money. They don’t get more viewers. They get zero direct benefit from using these initiatives.
⸻
Adding Appropriate Concussion Education to Sports Video Games, TV Shows, and Movies
Injuries are a part of most sports video games: ACL tears, broken legs, sprains, and strains—all listed with timelines for recovery.
Throughout the years, concussions have been a part of these games, but they’re often tagged with unrealistic timelines.
“Concussion — Doubtful to return.”
There’s a great opportunity to accurately reflect the severity of the injury. At a bare minimum, remove “Doubtful to Return” and tag it appropriately: “OUT.” At best, provide a realistic timeline for recovery: “Concussion — Out (undetermined time).”
This gives a whole generation of people a basic update on concussion knowledge. It’s a small step, but one that can set us in the right direction.
From TV shows and movies, we need to stop downplaying concussions. Provide education on the severity of the injury and stop stating that characters escaped major injury and “just got a concussion.” Use the character loop and storyline to provide basic concussion information. Instead of downplaying the injury, use the platform to educate.
⸻
More Patient Advocacy
People resonate with personal stories. Sharing your injury, your recovery, the ways it’s affected your life, and your victories resonates with both people we know and complete strangers.
The more voices we have sharing their story, their struggles and their triumphs – the better!
Social media is free and very powerful if used correctly. By adding a face to a story – it can reassure those in similar positions that they are not alone.
Concussions impact far more people than most realize, yet public understanding often lags behind reality. Whether through sports, media, or direct injury, the opportunities to educate are everywhere—but too often, they’re missed.
If we want to change the way society views concussions, it starts with shifting where and how people learn about them. It starts with improving the conversations on the sidelines, in living rooms, on broadcasts, and in emergency rooms.
Awareness isn’t a luxury—it’s a responsibility.
Education saves lives.
It’s time to make the invisible visible.
And it starts with us.
