WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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.