Clay Co. Hospital Donates Money Towards Helmet Concussion Monitoring System

Left to right. Chris Hunt, CEO Clay County Hospital presents a check for $3,000 towards the purchase of helmet impact sensors to Flora school districts Bob McNeely (Assistant Principal and Athletic Director), Joel Hackney (Superintendent) and Brian Tackitt (Head football coach).

FLORA -- Clay County Hospital recently donated $3000.00 towards the purchase of a helmet concussion monitoring system for the Flora High School football team. The Flora Athletic Department recently started seeking funds to purchase the system manufactured by Riddell helmet manufacturer. In order to install all of the football helmets with this concussion monitoring device, it would cost the football program $6,660.  The monitoring system is Not a concussion prevention device; what it does is help identify possible concussions in order to prevent a more serious brain injury from happening. Utilizing this head injury identification system would greatly lessen the possibility of a more serious brain injury occurring from repeated blows to the head, that typically happen during the course of a football game, by not allowing one of their players to continue playing after receiving a severe impact to the head region.  Sensors in the helmet send a notification to a device located on the sidelines, should a player’s head impact, or sequence of impacts exceed a certain threshold.

“We are delighted to support the Flora High School football players and coaches by helping to provide equipment to detect and prevent concussions and head injuries for these students,” said Clay County Hospital and Clinics CEO Chris Hunt. “As more data becomes available, the realization is apparent that the effects from concussions, which were once considered a minor injury, are now showing much more serious undertones in recovery time, as well as emotional, mental and sleep related symptoms. With mounting evidence suggesting that concussions that happen earlier in life have a cumulative effect on the developing brain, finding ways to better spot and treat these serious head injuries in younger players is more pressing than ever.”

About 3 million young kids, 1 million high school students and 100,000 college athletes play football each year.