One blow to the head can be a problem, but additional blows increase the risk of catastrophic head injury, long-term neurological disability, and permanent brain damage.
Undetected and untreated, concussion and other kinds of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be fatal.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started the "Heads Up" project in 2003 to raise awareness and provide training about TBI and concussion. In 10 years, they distributed more than 6 million copies of their materials, and trained over 1.5 million coaches online.
But concerns remain: