High school sports are an essential part of student culture, offering opportunities to develop physical fitness, discipline and teamwork. However, that opportunity also comes with inherent risks, particularly in high-contact sports such as football. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15.1% of high school athletes report at least one concussion each year. These injuries, which affect the developing frontal and temporal lobes, pose serious long-term health issues for student-athletes such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) which can affect cognitive impairment and cause speech behavioral changes. However, this is likely an underestimation of those affected since head injuries often go unreported due to the athlete’s lack of understanding that an athlete has a concussion in the first place. Approximately 16.8% of student-athletes who have suffered a concussion will experience a second, usually more severe one due to the brain under redevelopment. Unfortunately, many schools lack the protocols to address head injuries in student-athletes, and that puts their safety at risk. While 43 states require some form of concussion education, the National Institute of Health reports these programs are often minimal and only emphasize basic recognition and primary guidelines such as checking for dizziness or headaches, a level of schooling insufficient for minimizing long-term health risks. The training staff at Paly sets a pronounced example of a public school that takes student-athlete health very seriously. Showing up to both home and away games, the staff ensures that injuries are attended to and taken very seriously. Another critical area for improvements in athlete safety is athletic equipment. Worn-out or outdated helmets that aren’t equipped with features to reduce impact in football increase the chances of serious injuries. Another valuable tool that should be universally applied by specific sports coaches is baseline testing. Paly and many districts across the nation have established a reference point for each athlete at the start of every season by assessing their cognitive function. This data-driven approach can provide clearer guidance on when it is safe for an athlete to return to play, reducing the risk of long-term damage and making it an extremely accessible option for athletes because it can be used on an app downloaded to their phone. Although it is a first-response function that is designed to be a preventative measure before visiting a professional or doctor, it is definitely a higher-proven method than self-testing your symptoms through a Google search. Improving high school head injury protocols is more than a health concern, it is a moral mandate. Students have the right to compete in environments that prioritize their well-being while keeping the same competitiveness that comes with being a student-athlete. By investing in proper training, equipment, testing and education, schools can create a safer environment for athletes to excel both on and off the field.