Twelve student-athletes hailing from Illinois High School Association (IHSA) member schools all over the state enjoyed a unique opportunity with Chicago Bear star Anthony Adams at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Wednesday, October 5.
The IHSA teamed up with the Chicago Bears to create a multi-faceted concussion awareness campaign entitled “Get Defensive Against Concussions.”
“We think the name is very fitting,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “When you think of the Chicago Bears, you can’t help but think of the great players and the defensive innovation. The Bears are innovators of a different kind with this concussion awareness partnership and we cannot commend the organization enough, starting with Anthony Adams, for being leaders in this area.”
Adams and the students filmed a pair of 30-second commercials that will be used during IHSA television and internet broadcasts, as well as radio spots and a photo shoot for posters and state final program ads.
“We are proud to team with the IHSA to help educate and protect our state’s high school athletes,” said Chicago Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips. “Understanding and preventing concussions in all sports is vital at every level of competition.”
The students who participated in the program were: Tyler Bixby, Normal Community High School, Baseball; Kaimara Herron, Walter Payton College Prep, Girls Volleyball; Eric’el Johnson, Alton High School, Girls Soccer; Aimee Kerley, Brown County High School, Girls Basketball; Olivia McLaughlin, Taylorville High School, Cheerleading; Tyler Middleton, Mahomet-Seymour High School, Wrestling; Madison Miller, AlWood High School, Softball; Taylor Nakagawa, Evanston Township High School, Football; Mitchell Rose, Murphysboro High School, Boys Basketball; Donte Rush, Salem High School, Football; Sophia Sesto, Marian Catholic High School, Girls Water Polo; and Victor Zamaro, Boylan Catholic High School, Boys Soccer. Octavio Herrera of Melrose Park, an IHSA official in basketball and football, also participated in the program.
The Bears have been active supporters of the state’s concussion legislation, as the team hosted Illinois Governor Pat Quinn as he signed House Bill 200 into law at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 28. The law requires that student-athletes at any elementary, middle, junior high or high school in the state receive clearance from a doctor before returning to play after suffering a concussion.
“To have an athlete of the magnitude of Anthony Adams leading this campaign is a game-changer,” said Hickman. “One of the things we have stressed since we adopted the IHSA Return To Play Policy, even before it became a law, was the need to change the perception about playing through head injuries that exists in sports, especially football. I believe their presence and message in this campaign will help accomplish that.”