Washington Youth Soccer is joining US Soccer and its fellow state youth soccer associations in recognizing and honoring Concussion Awareness Week (October 6-15), part of an initiative called Recognize to Recover that is focused on promoting safe soccer and reducing injuries. The event is organized in conjunction with ThinkTaylor, a program created by former USMNT player Taylor Twellman after he was forced to retire from soccer due to post-concussion syndrome. “ThinkTaylor is dedicated to changing the culture of traumatic brain injuries and aims to dispel the notion of concussions as something to ‘shake off’ or play through, and establish protocol of handling brain injuries with the utmost seriousness.”
Along with our fellow member associations and US Soccer, Washington Youth Soccer is encouraging every player, coach, parent, and volunteer in our state to take the #TTPledge to show their dedication to concussion awareness and prevention.
The Think Taylor Pledge
We have only one brain and it needs to last a lifetime.
I PLEDGE to be EDUCATED on the signs and symptoms of concussions.
I PLEDGE to be HONEST with my coaches, teachers, parents and teammates.
I PLEDGE to be SUPPORTIVE of anyone who gets a concussion.
U.S. Soccer Member Organizations will aid in driving support of Concussion Awareness Week as will the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams. Various pre- and in-game announcements and ceremonies will bring attention to Concussion Awareness Week during the USWNT’s Victory Tour game, presented by Allstate, against Korea Republic on Oct. 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago, the USMNT’s opening CONCACAF Nation’s League game vs. Cuba at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 11 and the weekend of U.S. Soccer Development Academy play on Oct. 12-13.