Derek Brown Speaks About Concussions

Derek Brown, former NFL player, and Dr. Hamish Kerr, director of Sports Medicine for Men’s and Women’s sports at Siena College, visited Hudson Valley as part of the Voices lecture series this past Wednesday.

Brown, a former Notre Dame All-American and first round draft pick by the New York Giants, and Kerr, the Team Physician for the United States Rugby team, joined forces to discuss the role of concussions in athletics.

“Back when I played, concussions were a sign of weakness,” Brown said.

Brown’s mother was concerned for his health when he was younger, so his playing days began as a freshman in high school after years of playing soccer and surfing.

With time, Brown developed into one of the best for his position and he was awarded scholarships countrywide.

Upon accepting a football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, Brown helped lead the Irish to a national championship during his freshman year and, providing consistent play during his tenure at Notre Dame, he caught the eye of NFL scouts.

The change in attitudes towards concussions was made possible by awareness of what it really means to have a concussion. According to WebMD, there are several components to a concussion: not thinking clearly, not being able to concentrate, headaches, fuzzy or blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and becoming more emotional.

Kerr studied at the University of Glasgow in the School of Medicine. Kerr said, “Derek has the professional experience. He asked me to speak about some of the science.”

The focus of the discussion was promoting awareness about head injuries, while understanding that football is a physically demanding sport.

Kerr said, “We don’t want to alter their performance. We want them to play at the best of their ability, but I think developing some awareness on injuries to the head, that’s essential.”

Some of Hudson Valley’s figures in athletics attended the presentation, including the Head Coach of the football team, Mike Muehling, and Head Athletic Trainer Keith Thomas.

Muehling, who has studied Sports Medicine, said the presentation was well done. “The more information, the more research they can gather and do will help us moving forward,” he said.

Thomas, who is responsible for nearly 300 student athletes on Hudson Valley’s 16 intercollegiate teams, said, “It was a fantastic presentation…having Derek Brown there brought appeal that wouldn’t otherwise be there.”

Both Muehling and Thomas said they now have a better understanding of what a concussion is, and will continue to do the best that can be done to prevent future head injuries.

“Head injuries are real,” said Thomas. “We don’t want to have people be afraid. We want people to be informed.”

Brown’s ideas on head injuries can be attributed to watching his eleven year old son begin playing, which was a switch from being a player to being a parent and observer.

Brown said, “It’s like coming out of the military, a structured environment…to a civilian.”