Player concussions force local HS football team to forfeit game

PITTSBURGH — Concussions have forced a local high school football team to forfeit its game that was scheduled for Saturday.

Several players for Bishop Canevin High School have been diagnosed with concussions and have not been medically cleared to play, the school said in a letter to families.

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The concussions, combined with other player injuries, have “placed our remaining roster in a potentially unsafe situation,” the letter said.

The decision was made after the school’s athletic trainer and coaching staff were consulted.

Principal Michael Joyce said the following in the letter:

"The safety and well being of our student athletes is our primary concern and is a responsibility we take extremely seriously. I commend our coaching staff and team on the resolve they have shown representing Bishop Canevin. While disappointing, we believe this decision is in the best interest of our student athletes. The opportunity to get healthy, focus on academics, and have our coaching staff emphasize fundamentals with our young team is in our program's best interest."

Concussions and potential complications down the line have been a topic of debate for athletes of all ages, including in professional sports.

As of May, the NFL concussion fund had paid out nearly $500 million in its first two years, The Associated Press reported.

Retired players can seek awards of as much as $3 million for moderate dementia and $1.5 million for mild dementia, although most men would get far less based on their age and years in the league, according to The AP. The settlement resolves thousands of lawsuits that alleged the NFL long hid what it knew about the risk of concussions.

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