Doctors are warning Congress of the risk of altered lives and permanent brain damage if student athletes aren't properly protected from head trauma.

Lawmakers at a House hearing also heard Thursday from an NFL
player who recently retired because of post-concussion troubles; a
mother whose son, a college football player with brain damage,
committed suicide; and a high school girl unable to keep up with
her classes since suffering a concussion on the soccer field.

Democratic Rep. George Miller of California cited estimates of
300,000 sports-related concussions a year. He says the number is
far higher if recreational and playground injuries are included.
Miller says many concussions go unreported, partly because athletes
want to stay on the field.