After launching Concussion Superstars and speaking to hundreds of student-athletes, parents, coaches, and healthcare providers, I’ve noticed a common theme: there are still so many myths about concussions. These misconceptions can be dangerous, and they often delay recovery or prevent someone from getting the care they need.

So, in this blog post, I want to clear up a few of the biggest myths I hear and share the truth backed by science and lived experience.

Myth #1: “You didn’t lose consciousness, so it’s not a concussion.”

Truth: You do not need to be knocked out to have a concussion. In fact, most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. You may experience confusion, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, or simply “not feeling right,” and it may still be a concussion.

Myth #2: “You can just shake it off and keep playing.”

Truth: Pushing through a concussion can make symptoms worse and increase the risk of a second, more dangerous brain injury. Recovery takes time, and rest is not a weakness. It is a smart choice for long-term health.

Myth #3: “Concussions only happen in football.”

Truth: Concussions can happen in any sport — soccer, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, field hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, even swimming and diving. You can also get a concussion from a fall, bike accident, or even a minor car crash.

Myth #4: “If your CT scan is normal, your brain is fine.”

Truth: CT scans are great at detecting serious bleeding or swelling, but they often miss concussions, which are functional injuries, not always visible on standard imaging. That’s why diagnosis is based on symptoms and clinical evaluation, not just scans.

Myth #5: “Once you feel better, you’re good to go.”

Truth: Feeling better is a great sign, but a safe return to sports needs to be gradual and ideally guided by a medical professional. Jumping back into intense activity too soon increases the risk of long-term symptoms and future injuries.

Why This Matters

 

Understanding what a concussion is, and what it isn’t, helps athletes, parents, and coaches make informed decisions. It also reduces stigma around reporting symptoms, taking time off, and asking for help.

This is the type of awareness Concussion Superstars is all about. We can all play a role in keeping athletes safe and supported, both on and off the field.

I’m honored to share that UVA Today recently featured my work with Concussion Superstars. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to highlight a cause that continues to drive my passion and purpose: educating others about concussions and promoting brain safety, especially among young people.

This recognition reinforces the importance of community outreach, early education, and proactive advocacy in concussion awareness. I’m thankful to the UVA community for helping amplify this mission and for supporting work that aims to make a lasting impact.

You can read the full feature here:

This Hoo is ahead of the game on concussion awareness

Thank you again to UVA Today for spotlighting this initiative, and for helping to elevate the conversation around concussion education and prevention.

— Nora Fotuhi, Founder of Concussion Superstars

Hi everyone!

I’m Nora Fotuhi, founder of Concussion Superstars. Back in 2017, I started this nonprofit with a simple but powerful mission: to raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries, especially concussions, in youth athletes. Growing up, I was always curious about the brain and how it works, which inspired me to focus on protecting it.

Why concussion awareness? Because concussions are often misunderstood and underestimated, especially in young athletes. The physical and mental impacts can be serious and long-lasting, yet many don’t get the education or support they need to recover fully.

Since founding Concussion Superstars, I’ve had the privilege of reaching thousands of people through educational pamphlets, talks, and my book. But I know there’s so much more to do, and so I plan to keep advocating for more public attention to these issues.

I want to keep spreading the message, share the latest research in an accessible way, and create a community where athletes, parents, coaches, and healthcare providers can find trustworthy information and support.

Starting this month, I’ll be posting monthly blogs sharing everything from concussion prevention tips, personal stories, new scientific insights, and ways we can all work together to make sports safer for everyone.

Stay tuned for more and feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to get involved!

– Nora Fotuhi

On June 24, 2018, I had the opportunity to present Concussion Superstars to the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) as part of a grant application to support the launch of the organization.

At the time, I was a seventh-grade student at Cooper Middle School in McLean, Virginia, driven by a passion for brain health and a strong desire to make a difference in my community. Following the presentation, our grant request was approved, and we received the full funding needed to get Concussion Superstars off the ground.

Below is a summary of what I shared with the committee that day:

What is Concussion Superstars?

Concussion Superstars is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the number of concussions among children in Northern Virginia through education, prevention strategies, and community engagement. The initiative is grounded in science-based recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Why I Started This Organization

Inspiration #1: My Dad

My father, Dr. Majid Fotuhi, is a neurologist with expertise in treating concussions. Hearing him speak about brain injuries at home sparked my own interest in neurology, and inspired my dream to one day become a neurologist myself.

Inspiration #2: My Friend Jennifer

A close friend of mine, Jennifer, suffered a serious concussion after falling off her horse without a helmet. She experienced prolonged symptoms: headaches, insomnia, mood changes, and difficulty focusing in school. Her injury could have been prevented, and that realization deeply motivated me to educate others.

Can Concussions Be Prevented?

Absolutely. The CDC provides detailed guidelines for preventing concussions in youth sports. A few examples from my presentation:

• Soccer:
  • One-third of concussions in girls occur while heading the ball.
  • Recommendation: Limit heading for players under age 13.
  • Emphasize non-contact play and safety rules.
• Football:
  • Two-thirds of high school football concussions occur during tackles.
  • Recommendation: Enforce rules against head-first contact, promote sportsmanship, and ensure helmets are worn properly.
• Basketball:
  • Most concussions in boys stem from player-to-player contact.
  • Recommendation: Penalize dangerous contact and promote safe gameplay.

Goals & Objectives

1. Educate at least 2,000 children in Fairfax County within one year.
2. Reduce concussion incidence by 10% among participating youth.
3. Offer resources and support for children recovering from concussions.

How I Planned to Achieve These Goals

For Goal #1: Education & Outreach

• Develop educational pamphlets and posters.
• Launch a website: concussionsuperstars.org.
• Distribute materials through local schools and newsletters.
• Organize a summer camp and bake sales to raise awareness.
• Invite guest speakers from Inova and collaborate with Brain Injury Services of Virginia.

For Goal #2: Prevention in Sports

• Share CDC safety guidelines with referees and parents.
• Encourage athletes to report symptoms and seek care.
• Promote a team culture that celebrates caution and recovery — calling injured players “Concussion Superstars.”

For Goal #3: Support for Recovery

• Create a resource guide of local treatment centers.
• Collaborate with my father and Brain Injury Services (BIS) to educate families on treatment options.

Funding Breakdown

Item                                                                   Cost

Print Materials                                                  $2,572

Furniture                                                            $275

Food                                                                     $274

Guest Speakers                                                  $300

Nonprofit Registration (501(c)(3))                 $1,000

Website and Unplanned                                 $2,000

Expenses

Total                                                                  $6,421

 

Looking Back

This presentation marked the beginning of a journey that continues to grow. I’m proud of how far Concussion Superstars has come since 2018, and I remain committed to empowering young people with the knowledge they need to protect their brains and advocate for their health.

Thank you to DARS for believing in this vision and helping make it a reality. — Nora Fotuhi, Founder of Concussion Superstars

This is one of the toughest questions parents encounter when their teenage son wants to play football. As a parent, you need to balance your desire to let your son do what loves, but also to make sure he will be safe.  With so much news about the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury in the NFL, you will be reasonably hesitant to let your son put on his helmet and run on the field. As a teenager myself, and based on my review of the literature – which I have summarized in my recently published book: A Brain That Heals, I would not let my son play football. Period.

Statistically, there are around one million high school boys who play for their high school football team. Many of them believe that as a football player they would be more popular with their teenage girls in their school and also get a lot more attention from their teachers and school administrators. Though some of them focus on the athletic aspect of this rough sport or wish to pursue a career in the NFL, most of them love the glamor of wearing their football jersey to school on game day. These boys do not take seriously how repetitive tackles and jolting of their head injures their brains. They may or may not know that wearing a helmet does not protect their brain against concussion. After all it is the jolting of the brain inside the skull that causes traumatic brain injury – and this TBI happens whether or not a player wears a helmet.

Many young boys do experience jolting of their head and later experience concussion symptoms. But their love of the game, and all the attention they receive, makes them ignore these symptoms and return to the game the following day.

Most concussion symptoms are invisible – which makes it hard for trainers or parents to decide if the athlete is safe to return to the field. These include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise, fatigue, dizziness, balance problems, blurry vision, difficulty sleeping, and irritability.

Concussion symptoms may slow a player’s ability to respond quickly when they are running, catching the ball, or crashing into another player. This reduction in response time, even if it is only a few milliseconds, puts the player at risk for further concussions. This becomes a serious issue when the player continues to participate in football games for the whole season. Ignoring the fact that their brain needs full recovery and rest leads to more and more concussions.

A recent article in Journal of Medical Association (JAMA) confirms these common observations.  Their study showed that young youth football players are most likely to return to the field less than 24 hours after a concussion. For this exact reason, high school boys should not be allowed to play American football – unless the rules of the game changes so that risk of concussions are minimized.

Beyond short-term consequences of concussions, such as poor performance at school, getting into fights with friends or family members, and making poor decisions, there are also many long term consequences. Known as post-concussive syndrome, some players may have persistent concussion symptoms for months or even years. Some have daily headaches which do not improve with the usual pain medications, they have depression that does not get better with routine treatments, and they may have difficulty understanding what they read.  Other post-concussions symptoms include memory problems, trouble concentrating, sensitivity to light and noise, and sleeping too much or not enough. These invisible symptoms of concussion can hinder a teenager’s chances of success in high school, college, or life. This is why it is vital to rest properly after a concussion, as improper recovery can lead to long-term brain damage.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention specifically mentions that, “Most children with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks. However, for some, symptoms will last for a month or longer.” It is almost impossible that a passionate football player will follow proper concussion recovery and take this time off.

Knowing all these facts, I would never let my son (or daughter) play American football (or other contact sports such as hockey or boxing). Their brain is precious and for as long as they value my opinion and listen to my advice, I would encourage them to stick to soccer, tennis, basketball, swimming, or so many other sports where the risk of a concussion is a lot lower.

I am a rising senior at Langley High school with a passion for neurology and concussion. In seventh grade, I started my non-profit organization called Concussion Superstars dedicated to educating children about how they can prevent concussions in different sports and how they can recover. I also recently published my book, The Brain that Recovers, that explains how the brain works, what happens during a concussion, and how to prevent/recover from a Traumatic Brain Injury.