Then you ease the child back into a normal routine after the symptoms have cleared - even if that means missing the championship game or the practice that will give him a shot at starting next season.

Often young players and their parents don't want to take my advice. They want their child to play - in spite of a lingering headache, in spite of an injury to their growing brain. I understand. Remember, I love sports as much as the next guy. But I have a rule for my own boys. If either one suffers a concussion at this tender age, he's done with football. The risk for future complications is too great. That's their dad, the neurosurgeon and sports lover, speaking.

Dr. Powers is a pediatric neurosurgeon at Brenner Children's Hospital at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. If you would like to reach Powers you may contact him by e-mail at Brenner contact apowers@wfubmc.edu.