Interesting thread. I have two boys in sports -- one in 7th grade and one in 9th grade. Before starting 7th grade both boys were required to do a screening baseline for concussion purposes. After taking a knee to the head in a scramble after a basketball the officials stopped the game and did some "field" tests to see if they thought my son had concussion symptoms. He was not allowed to go back to practice until we took him for an additional screening to compare his tests to the baseline tests. When a new improved football helmet became available - the community did fundraising to try to buy them as soon as they were available for our high school team and Tony Stewart (Nascar Driver) ended up paying for the helmets.

So I think protocols are getting better along with better education of coaches, officials, etc. It may help that I live in Indiana where the NCAA is headquartered (and is facing litigation regarding concussions). However, I've also read articles where some famous football players have admitted to "cheating" on their baseline test so that their follow up tests won't show as much damage. When they're adults, well, that's their decision. But I also understand that it's not "adults" learning and getting into the sports -- its 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the beginning where there is no informed choice or decision.

As for MMA, I don't get it, and I think its little more than modern day gladiators. But I'm not going to tell adults how to spend their time if they want to partake in that kind of sport.