X-ray of what a brain concussion can look like. A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury.
State Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, filed a bill Thursday morning to create a task force to study concussions and other injuries received from long-term participation in high school and college sports.
The purpose of the task force would be to study and evaluate concussions and other injuries from long-term, continued participation in sports at those levels. It also would examine the academic growth and behavior of students who participate, as well as determine the best remedy for athletes who enroll and receive a collegiate scholarship, but have it withdrawn if they are unable to remain on the team due to a concussion or other sports-related injury.
The task force would include two representatives each appointed by Memphis City schools, Metro Nashville schools, Hamilton County schools, the Board of Regents, the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and the NCAA. There would be one representative each from the departments of health and education and the state board of education.
Bowl bound: Most Midstate high school football fans are familiar with junior MBA standout running back Ty Chandler.
The rest of the nation may have a chance to become familiar with him as well next season after Chandler received an invitation to play in the 2017 Army All-American Bowl.
“I’m blessed to say I’ve been invited to play in the 2017 Army All-American Bowl,” Chandler said via Twitter.
The Division II-AA Mr. Football Back of the year rushed 347 times for 2,585 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2015 to help lead MBA to a one-point loss in the DII-AA state title game, picking up All-Midstate football player of the year honors in the process.
Moving on: Brentwood Academy senior wide receiver and cornerback Coutrell Plair announced his commitment to Samford on Wednesday.
“For the next four years, I will be attending Samford University,” Plair said on Twitter. “I can’t wait to be a part of a Christian environment, receive a great education and play Division I football!”
Plair caught 19 passes in 2015 for 298 yards and two scores as a receiver, returned two punts, both for touchdowns, had two interceptions with one being returned for a score and also returned two fumbles for TDs.
He chose Samford over offers from Navy and Coastal Carolina.
Senior Pearl-Cohn quarterback Jimmy Ferrell committed to play football at Alabama State on Wednesday.
“After long consideration with close family and friends,” Ferrell said on Twitter, “I’ve decided to further my education and football career at Alabama State University.”
The 2015 All-Midstate third-team offensive selection had just less than 3,000 yards passing with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding another eight scores and 443 yards on 118 carries, helping the Firebirds make it to the Class 4A state title game.
Ferrell had also received offers from Eastern Kentucky and New Mexico State.
Revamped awards: This year marks the 32nd time that the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards will be presented to Tennessee’s best high school basketball players, but the awards will have a different look.
The awards will be presented to the top girls and boys in five classifications on the main floor of Murphy Center on the campus of MTSU on Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m.
From 2005-15 the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards were presented at the conclusion of each respective championship game as part of the post-game trophy ceremony.
“Having the awards presented on the floor of the site of the Division I state basketball tournament will be special,” TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress said in a statement. “It will be exciting to have all 30 outstanding student athletes recognized together at what we feel will be a great event.”
A reception for the finalists and their families will be held prior to the awards presentation.
Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.