It is not uncommon to find boys with a very strong competitive drive. However, it seems that these athletes are taking it too far and risking more than they know. There have been multiple concussions at the school this year, and despite the horrible dangers, some find themselves still continuing to play.

 According to The New York Times, we are the generation of “resistance.”  High school and college athletes are continuously shrugging off these invisible injuries to play another game. The New York Times also states that concussion symptoms depend on the age of the victim, the location of the injury, and the force that was struck upon the victim. There are varying warning signs for concussions.

 “Symptoms are vision and memory problems, headaches, dizziness, and trouble concentrating,” said senior Adrienne Gonzalez.

Aarron Wilson, a senior varsity football player, explains his experience with the symptoms of concussions.

 “You get blurred vision, are sensitive to light and sound, and have off balance,” said Wilson. It seems to be common knowledge for athletes to know the warning signs of a concussion, so why keep playing?

 This generation of “resistance” seems to feel like they have something to prove to those around them, seemly proving the cliche of invisible teenagers. In an interview with a pediatrician at the University of Washington’s Seattle Children’s Hospital, Dr. Frederick P. Rivara explains to The New York Times why this phenomenon may be.

 “It’s a culture where the idea is to man up, to not let your teammates or coach down, and play with your symptoms,” said Dr. Rivara.

  Concussions are not graphic, like most other common injuries, such as a broken bone or cut, so these players hide common symptoms and continue to compete. Wilson knows the dangers of playing with a concussion, but says he would stay in the game.

 “You definitely would have memory loss and trouble concentrating. You would lose sleep, stay up more often, and feel the need to sleep longer,” said Wilson.

 The dangers of concussions alone are damaging to the developing brain, but continuing to play with one will only make the brain more damaged. Receiving a second concussion before the first one is healed can even cause permanent damage.

 With so many committed athletes at Potomac Falls, many have fallen due to the harsh repercussions of concussions. Gonzalez, a cheerleader, was dropped on her head during practice and suffered from a serious concussion.

 “My concussion lasted about a month. I was rushed to the emergency room right when it happened and then I went to the doctor two weeks later. I had a brain MRI and the doctors then told me I was fine and normal,” said Gonzalez.

 Wilson, among many other football players this season, also suffered from a concussion.

 “Mine lasted about two weeks. I got it during a kickoff return through head to head contact. I was very sensitive to light, felt slow, didn’t know where I was, had numb legs, and had severe neck pain,” said Wilson.

 There are varying symptoms and warning signs when it comes to concussions. It is important to understand while the pain may not be visible, it is most certainly tangible and should be treated like any other injury.