WASHINGTON — Saying he wants kids to play sports but play safely, President Barack Obama called Thursday for more and better research into the effects and treatment of concussions in youth athletes.
The issue is one of growing concern for parents who spend weekends driving their kids from one game to another.
But without direct authority over youth sports leagues, Obama’s ability to address the issue meaningfully is limited to calling for research and trying to jumpstart a national conversation to teach parents, coaches and young athletes about concussions — the goal of a summit he hosted at the White House.
He also said a new attitude is needed where players who have been hit don’t feel wimpy for sitting out a game or two.
“We have to change a culture that says you suck it up,” Obama said, adding that he probably suffered mild concussions as a young football player.
He noted that concussions are also an issue in soccer, hockey, lacrosse and other contact sports.
The event brought together representatives of professional and college sports associations, coaches, parents, young athletes, doctors and others.
Obama was introduced by Victoria Bellucci, a high school graduate from Huntingtown, Md., who suffered five concussions during her high school and club soccer career.
Bellucci said her injuries made it difficult to focus on her assignments. She eventually turned down a full scholarship to play soccer at Towson University in Maryland and will instead attend Flagler College in Florida in the fall, the White House said.
“Concussions have drastically altered my life,” she said.
Obama, an avid sports fan whose two daughters are active in sports, also highlighted millions of dollars in pledges from the NFL, the National Institutes of Health and others to conduct research that could help provide answers and improve safety.
He previously had waded into the debate over concussions, saying last year that he would have to think “long and hard” about allowing a son to play football because of the risk of head injury.
“We want our kids participating in sports,” he said. “As parents, though, we want to keep them safe.”
Nearly 250,000 kids and young adults visit hospital emergency rooms each year with brain injuries caused by sports or other recreational activity, Obama said. He noted that the figure excludes those who see a family doctor or seek no treatment.
