Safety First in Prep Sports

Every parent of a high school athlete knows that moment of dread in seeing the youngster clip the diving board or get up a little too slowly from a hard tackle. Such fear no doubt has been intensified in recent days by the deaths of two Southern California prep football players after tough games.

Eric Hoggatt, 18, a Reseda High running back, died in his sleep Sept. 13, hours after complaining of numbness and dizziness during a game. Adrian Taufaasau of Coronado High in San Diego County died Sunday; the 17-year-old quarterback never regained consciousness after he was tackled during a game against Costa Mesa High two days earlier.

While it’s tempting to point fingers, neither death has been directly tied to game injuries. Autopsies came back inconclusive and further tests are scheduled. Nationwide, only nine of the 955,000 high schoolers who played football last year died: four from head injuries, five from heatstroke. About 400,000 suffered injuries, most minor.

But the deaths nonetheless underline the very real risks of prep sports and the need for careful screening of athletes.

Already, California players must pass thorough medical examinations that look for hidden problems that might be aggravated by sports. Helmets must meet strict federal guidelines but remain the most problematic piece of equipment--largely because athletes often fail to properly inflate the padding. Most games are staffed by volunteer doctors or other medical personnel, but diagnosing injuries like subtle forms of spinal cord damage can be difficult during a competition.

Perhaps most important, though, is dealing with the false bravado that can prevent young people from admitting they are suffering pain that might indicate serious injury. When adults--the doctors or coaches--suspect this is the case, they have the responsibility to give the kids more than just an encouraging pat on the behind. The deaths of Hoggatt and Taufaasau should refocus coaches, players and parents on the real risks involved and on the safety steps that can reduce them.