A football player is rammed into the ground, slamming his helmet into the turf. His vision blurs. He stands and feels light-headed. These are just a few signs of a concussion.

“A concussion is considered a mild-traumatic brain injury; in other words, a bruise to the brain,” head athletic trainer Cody Jenschke said. “After the initial contact, the chemical makeup of the brain changes.”

The most common effects include concentration problems, emotional issues, and a susceptibility to future concussions, but severe blows to the head, like most acquired in sports, can cause major brain damage.

“The long-term effects are still unknown,” Jenschke said. “Many older NFL players complain of symptoms close to Parkinson’s disease, but the most dangerous effect of a concussion is still unknown. You don’t know how bad the concussion truly is until it has run its course.”

According to a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences, football causes the most concussions out of all high school sports. Recently, former NFL players agreed to a $765 million settlement over a concussion lawsuit. The league will also reimburse victims, pay for their medical exams, and finance research. However, they may not be entirely responsible for these injuries.

“Simple physics may be to blame, but I truly believe that concussions have always been a part of the sport,” Jenschke said. “It is just now being brought to light. We are learning how to treat them more appropriately and are educating athletes as well.”

With the popularity of cell phones and tablets, athletes are finding easier ways to break concussion protocol, prolonging the symptoms.

“The protocol includes no school, no technology, no cell phone, and no talking to friends,” Jenschke said. “The sooner the athlete follows this protocol the quicker the athlete can return. Many athletes are out longer just because they can’t put their cell phone down.”

The question of who should make the decision to bench a player has been in recent debate.

“A coach, athletic trainer, parent, or athlete can make the decision to hold the athlete out,” Jenschke said. “The bigger question is who should let the athlete back into competition, and that can only be done by a medical professional.”