As the dad of a pre-teen kid who likes to play sports, I worry about head injuries. The more I read the sports and obit pages, the less likely I am to allow him to play football, much to his dismay. This is a debate that’s been going on for more than a century — it was a big issue for Teddy Roosevelt when he was president.
Reebok’s Checklight doesn’t soften blows to the head but it can put some data on the situation. It’s a skullcap that can be worn under a helmet, and a small tab projects over the back of a player’s neck. A yellow blinking light means the player took a moderate whack to the head. A red blinking light is the sign of a more severe hit. You can also use it to keep track of the number of hits a player’s taken.
The Checklight can’t tell when a player’s been concussed. But it might tell you when and where to look, and who’s in danger. $150.