
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 16, 1990                   TAG: 9007160089
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C.                                LENGTH: Medium

RESEARCHER: FOOTBALL NEEDS CRASH COURSE IN SAFETY

An increase in the number of reported spinal cord injuries among high school football players illustrates the need for more safety on the field, a University of North Carolina researcher says.

The total of 14 spinal cord injuries resulting in permanent paralysis was the highest in the past 13 years, said Frederick O. Mueller, who monitors football-related deaths and catastrophic injuries in the United States.

In addition, 15 football players died during the 1989 season from trauma, heart failure or heat stroke, said Mueller, a professor of physical education.

"The number of deaths we consider directly attributable to football dropped from six in 1988 to four in 1989, which is as low as we have seen," he said. "Still, the increase in cases of permanent paralysis concerns us, and it is something that coaches, players and parents need to guard against."

The annual football study, which began in 1931, is based on information from newspaper accounts, the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The deaths directly attributable to football and most of the permanent injuries occurred among high school students and resulted from tackles, Mueller said. Eight of the deaths considered indirectly related to the sport involved some form of heart failure. There were two deaths attributed to heat stroke, and one player was struck by lightning.

"Coaches need to be reminded every year to emphasize that kids should never block or tackle with their heads down," he said. "This is not only against the rules in high school and college, but it also is very dangerous."

In 1968, for example, before a rule change that prohibited using the head as the initial contact point in blocking and tackling, 36 players died from injuries.

"Part of the problem results from kids watching the pros on Sunday afternoon," Mueller said. "Somebody will make a tackle with his head, and the announcer will say what a great tackle it was. That's really the last thing announcers should be saying on national television because it encourages the kids to do it wrong."

All players should undergo annual physical examinations, but the cost of screening 1.6 million players for heart disease may be prohibitive, Mueller said. For that reason, some deaths from heart failure may be unavoidable. Deaths from heat stroke, however, almost always can be prevented, he said.

It also is a good idea for parents to know what coaches are doing to take care of their players, the researcher said. If coaches do not have a preseason meeting to describe their program, parents should ask about safety.

by CNB